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Date: 11/12/2019
SOUTHWICK – The Polverari/Southwick Animal Control Facility honored Bob and Barb Polverai for their part in the building’s construction with a bench and plaque.
Rich Michnovetz of Agawam had proposed and designed the bench last year, keeping it hidden from the Polverari’s until he revealed it after the 2nd annual Southwick Farm Parade on Oct. 20.
“I said last year that they should probably build a statue of them,” said Michnovetz jokingly.
Bob said that he had no idea that they were doing this for his wife and himself.
After the farm parade, from which the donations and proceeds went towards the animal shelter, Police Chief Kevin Bishop spoke about the Polverari’s and other volunteers who made the shelter possible.
“The shelter itself was built by volunteers and donations, and that still continues with the volunteers who continue to come in and help feed the dogs and walk the dogs,” said Bishop.
After Bishop handed over the microphone, Minchnovetz invited Bob and Barb up to the stage to acknowledge them.
After jokingly offering to get the Polverari’s something to sit on, several men came from the side of the stage holding the bench with the plaque. Minchnovetz had the bench brought onto the stage for Bob and Barb to sit down on.
“I told the organizers beforehand that there should specifically be no chairs on the stage,” Michnovetz said later.
Michnovetz then announced that he would be presenting two checks in the name of the Polverari’s to the animal shelter totalling $1,222.
The bench has been installed next to the front door of the Polverari/Southwick Animal Shelter. It reads, “Dedicated to Bob and Barb Poliveri for their contributions to the Southwick Community. October, 2019.”