On Sunday, September 11, red, white and
blue neon will again light the Glowing Glory flag in Colrain,
originally constructed in the fall of 2001 after the events of 9/11
and recognized as a local landmark. The neon lights became
nonfunctional about two years ago and since that time money has been
raised locally with the aim of having the flag relit by the 10th
anniversary date. The relighting is also among many featured events
celebrating Colrain's 250th anniversary.
Ken Shearer of Colrain, who was
inspired to design and construct the flag atop his property's
450-foot hill overlooking Greenfield Road, again directed the
project, working with Western Mass Electric, Atlantic Neon of
Portsmouth, NH, and several area residents. Most of the $7,100 raised
for the project came to Shearer and artist Pacifico "Tony"
Palumbo, who designed the neon work in 2001, through the efforts of
the nonprofit Mohawk Ramblers Motorcycle Club of Montague. "We're
grateful that the Mohawk Ramblers considered this project a worthy
cause and brought in through their fund-raising efforts most of what
we needed to accomplish our goal," said Shearer.
After overcoming several technical
challenges and finding neon bender Jake Rosenfield, who created the
new neon glasswork and designed and led its installation this past
week, Shearer and the project crew are ready to throw the switch
around dusk on Sunday evening. "My job was to get this flag
relit and I'm pleased to say that it's done, thanks to many generous
people who contributed their time, talents and money to see this
happen," said Shearer. "We completed the neon installation
last Friday night and cheered when all the lights came on in our
first test."
Shearer and Rosenfield spent two
days installing the neon along with electrician Jeff Zachesky of
Maine and Lori Regienus of Colrain's 250th Anniversary Committee, who
also compiled a photo journal of the project. On Saturday, Shearer
and Joseph Saladino of Jacksonville, VT, completed the work to
replace the fluorescent lighting behind the flag's stars. "We
also want to thank Gettens Electric of Greenfield for donating part
of the cost of the fluorescent lighting," Shearer added.
Everyone is invited to gather in the field near the road below
the flag on Sunday evening at 8 p.m. for the official
relighting, which will be led by Palumbo and Shearer. State Representative Paul Mark will participate in the ceremony.
NOTE: THERE WILL BE NO CLIMBING THE
HILL TO THE FLAG. WE WILL GATHER IN THE FIELD BELOW THE FLAG AND WE
WILL HAVE PATROL DIRECTING PARKING.
