Let’s be honest. In a week in which events and meetings have been canceled, restaurants and bars have closed to the public and many other agencies have their staff working from home, non-COVID-19 news is hard to come by. But here are our thoughts on a couple of feel-good news stories that have risen to the top and will hopefully bring a smile to your face.
Perhaps you noticed Amy Bowse’s practically larger-than-life design as it rolled through Greenfield on Wednesday.
Bowse, a self-employed graphic designer who lives in Montague, won a contest that was recently offered by F.M. Kuzmeskus and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Franklin County. The prize? To see her design — which had to promote Big Brothers Big Sisters — printed on a formerly white luxury coach bus that is part of the bus company’s corporate rental program, Travel Kuz.
“There’s always some emotion when you see some project of yours, whether it’s a T-shirt or a logo, when you see it out in the world,” Bowse said, describing how she felt when she first saw the finished product. “But for me, this is the biggest project.”
The idea is that, as the bus travels up and down the East Coast, it will raise awareness about Big Brothers Big Sisters’ work to connect children with adult mentors, attract more volunteer mentors (called “Bigs”) or inspire parents to say, “My child could really benefit from that program.” Plus, each time the bus is booked for a tour, 2 percent of the charter rate will be donated to the nonprofit.
If this isn’t a win-win, then what is? Amy Bowse gets to have her design catch the eyes of people up and down the coast, Big Brothers Big Sisters gets both financial and promotional support, and Travel Kuz gets a truly one-of-a-kind bus. Additionally, Hale Custom Signs — which was responsible for printing Bowse’s design onto pressure-sensitive adhesive-backed vinyl, and then contouring it around the bus — can be proud that its biggest vehicle wrapping yet will support a good cause.
Don’t expect to find a “Moore-ish Terrier” on Moore’s Pond in Warwick anytime soon.
The concrete statue affectionately named Duncan took his plunge into the pond last weekend, marking the change in seasons and declaring a winner in this year’s Ice Out Contest organized by the Moore’s Pond Beach Committee.
The contest simply involves having residents guess when they think the ice will melt and Duncan will be “dunked in” the pond. The winner’s prize was two tickets to the Moore’s Pond Beach Committee’s Lasagna Dinner — pending it is not canceled due to COVID-19 concerns, according to committee member Jim McRae — as well as “associated bragging rights.”
This year’s winner is Betsy Alkins, who guessed Sunday, March 15, at 1:30 p.m. Alkins was one of 42 people who submitted a guess, with dates ranging from March 2 to April 13.
What can we say? This delightful contest is simple, clean fun, and is something we hope will continue for years to come. Congratulations to Betsy on her victory!