Date: 12/28/2020
On Friday morning, I was about to cross the North End Bridge – the light changed, I put my foot on the accelerator, and nothing happened. Helpless in the center lane, cars honked, people yelled and semis careened around me, inches away. I finally got the engine to turn over and made for the closest side street – the driveway of the Pioneer Valley Riverfront rowing club – before the car died again.
Shaken and near tears, I spotted a man shoveling snow and asked if it was okay for my car to be there while I waited for AAA (as if I could move it somewhere else!). He was so kind and warm and welcoming. He generously let me chat his ear off, clearly knowing I needed companionship to calm down, even if from a total stranger.
I mistakenly assumed he was maintenance. Through incessant questioning, I gleaned that he was, in fact, the executive director of the non-profit club, cleaning up after snow collapsed the tent used COVID-style for classes. Something which before COVID he had had staff for, along with a half dozen coaches managing rowing teams from schools across the Pioneer Valley. All laid off during COVID. And here I was feeling sorry for myself for being inconvenienced by minor car repairs.
I owe a huge debt of gratitude to this gentleman, Ben Quick, who so generously spent a good portion of his day ensuring that I was okay. Please check out the club’s website, www.pvriverfront.org, and consider signing your kids up to compete for something they can enjoy their whole lives in a stunningly beautiful setting. And say “hey” to Ben for me while you are there.
Susan Grossberg
Agawam
