Field of Dreams III Lighting PrizeBy Susan Bush
12:00AM / Tuesday, September 26, 2006
North Adams - The city did not win a Field of Dreams III junior-sized baseball diamond lighting prize package but won't walk away from the Granite City Electric Supply Company-sponsored event empty-handed.
North Adams was one of 14 communities that generated enough e-mail votes to secure a spot in a random, winner-selecting drawing.
The drawing was held on Sept. 26 at about 6:30 p.m. at Fenway Park. Winner selection was broadcast live on NESN television, and the town of Whitman, Mass. was selected as the winning community.
City Councilor Christopher Tremblay and city resident, sports enthusiast and licensed physical therapist Nancy Bullet traveled to Fenway Park for the drawing and stayed to watch the Red Sox home game.
Speaking during a telephone interview from Fenway, Bullett said that Granite City officials are donating $250 to youth ball teams. The money will be divided between Little League teams and girls' softball teams, Bullett and Tremblay said.
"Even though we didn't win the grand prize, this has been a great experience," said Bullett. "It was great to meet the people here and I'm so excited to be [at Fenway], I'm like a kid in a candy store."
Bullett has a t-shirt to commemorate the contest and Tremblay was given a baseball emblazoned with the city name. The baseballs were used during the drawing.
The Field of Dreams contest was launched by the electrical supply company in 2004, after the firm entered into a long-term business relationship with Fenway Park. The company is headquartered in Quincy, and its' store locations include Pittsfield and Bennington, Vt..
Participating communities drew votes via e-mail and each community was asked to submit an essay. The up to $100,000 grand prize must be used to illuminate an athletic field that hosts softball and baseball programs for youth age 12 and under.
Susan Bush may be reached via e-mail at suebush@iberkshires.com or at 802-823-9367. |
