16 Acres Civic Association celebrates 50 years of helping neighborhood

Date: 6/21/2010

June 21, 2010.

By Debbie Gardner

Assistant Managing Editor

SPRINGFIELD -- Back in the early 1960s, the Popular Supermarket stood where Walgreen's is today. The building occupied by the Goodwill Store and Family Dollar was once an A&P Market. There was a Carlisle's Department Store in the area were PeoplesBank sits, a neighborhood drug store -- complete with soda fountain and a pay phone booth in the back -- where 16 Acres Optical stands and an independent donut shop in the middle of the area being excavated for the new CVS.

We lived over the line in Wilbraham, and I can remember that every summer, my parents bought corn and fresh vegetables from a working farm on Wilbraham Road between the town line and the shopping centers. Giovanni's Pizza, across from Foster Memorial Church, made what my Mom declared was the best takeout veal parmesan around.

Fifty years ago Sixteen Acres looked very different than it does today. But even in those more idyllic times, there were residents who felt they could make their neighborhood a better place to live. In 1987, the informal group that began in 1960 incorporated and became the Sixteen Acres Civic Association, strengthening the organization's ties with the city, the community-policing unit, local businesses and fellow residents.

On June 15, association members came together to celebrate a half-century of hard work and dedication by countless residents vested in improving and maintaining the place they called home.

Among the many dignitaries in attendance was State Sen. Gale Candaras, who brought greetings from the Statehouse to the 80 people gathered for the dinner at the Greenleaf Community Center on Parker Street.

"It's an honor to be here," Candaras said. "These community organizations are very, very important to the city of Springfield. They are the heart of the city and show the spirit of the people."

State Rep. Angelo Puppolo, who also attended the festivities, thanked "each and every one of you who are here tonight ... for all your hard work each and every day."

"There are so many negative things that go on, it's critically important that we recognize the people who make things happen, who make things better street by street, neighborhood by neighborhood," Puppolo said. "We in Boston need you as our eyes and ears to let us know what is going on on the street, what is needed."

State Rep. Sean Curran brought with him citations from the Statehouse acknowledging the hard work of association board members past and present.

Among those recognized were: Association President Clodo Concepcion, Vice President Kimberly Marion, Secretary Sally Lussier, Treasurer Marisol Mercado, Directors Helen Boyle, James Gregory, Ann Hadank, Ted Knee, Jean Masse, Ann Ryan and Shawn Corbitt and Director Emeritus Judy Fleury.

Mayor Domenic Sarno made a brief appearance to wish the membership a "happy 50th" at the opening of the program, then bowed out to try to catch the last few minutes of his daughter's soccer game on the fields behind the center.

Later in the program Mayoral Aide Derryl Moss passed on the Mayor's congratulations to association membership, saying "this is the hardest working civic association in the city ... you've been a constant champion for the quality of life for the residents and the people of the city of Springfield."

He also read from a proclamation declaring June 15 Sixteen Acres Civic Association Day.

City Councilor James Ferrera rounded out the remarks by recognizing Concepcion, a fellow councilor, for his hard work both in his neighborhood and on the City Council.

"It's very important that we have a representative like this [on the council] who know how the neighborhood works," Ferrera said as he presented Concepcion with a citation from the City Council acknowledging the work of the association for the neighborhood and the city.

The Sixteen Acres Civic Association also recognized two neighborhood businesses as a part of their meeting. Presentations were made to 16 Acres Optical and to Print 2000.