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It’s official! Needham has two new Town Criers who will represent the Needham Tercentennial at all the exciting events being planned by the Needham 300 Committee over the course of the next year. Ed Gagnon and Chris Gerstel, two lifelong Needham residents, have been chosen to be mascots for a yearlong celebration of Needham’s 300th birthday. Both will dress in colonial garb and ring in all the Needham 300 events by spreading good will, answering questions and staying true to the role of a traditional New England town crier. You can spot them at various celebrations throughout the year. Their first stop will be the 2010 July 4 parade. The Needham 300 Committee put out a call for volunteers for this important role in the town’s tercentennial celebration. Both Gagnon and Gerstel were so well suited for the position that the committee elected to appoint them both, rather than choose just one. They will share the duties of Town Crier throughout the year. Ed Gagnon is a 60-year resident of Needham and a well known community volunteer. He has served as an elected Town Meeting member, has been active in scouting and involved in various town projects throughout the years. He is probably best known for the breakfast he and his wife Susan host every year just before the Exchange Club’s July 4th parade at their restored Victorian on Warren Street. The breakfast is open to any and all Needham residents who wish to attend. “I love history and thought this would be a fun project that would be a learning experience and at the same time give back to the town,” Gagnon said. Chris Gerstel is also a Needham native and even served as The Rocket Man during pep rallies during his years at Needham High School, where he graduated in 1994. He lives in Needham with his wife and two children and works in Needham for the Coca Cola company. “I enjoy being an active member of the town and saw the chance to portray the Town Crier as an opportunity to represent Needham and give back to the community ... I look forward to meeting new people by participating in the tercentennial celebration and being a part of the tradition and legacy of Needham.” Gerstel said. Check us out on Facebook.  Submitted by the Needham 300 Committee Copyright 2010 Needham Times. Some rights reserved. |