l

"Torie's Place"

The New Spring St. School Playground

                                                                                                                                      Photo by Tracey McCarthy

                                                                                                                                                         June 5, 2006

In a beautiful and moving ceremony complete with a butterfly launch, the new Spring St. School Playground, "Torie's Place,"  was dedicated in memory of Victoria E. Snelgrove, the East Bridgewater resident and Emerson College journalism student who was tragically killed while attending a Red Sox celebration in 2004.

The Dedication Ceremony was opened by Spring St. School Principal, Joyce Francis, with the Pledge of Allegiance and a beautiful rendition of the Star Spangled Banner performed by the West Bridgewater High School Chorus.  Superintendent of Schools, Robert White, addressed the assembly of Spring St. School students, faculty, and parents, as well as Richard and Dianne Snelgrove, Torie's parents, members of the Snelgrove family and members of the Army National Guard, who volunteered their time to help committee members and parents build the playground under rainy skies last weekend.

After a touching address by Richard Snelgrove, Christine Guindon, head of the Spring St. School Playground Committee and the dedicated parent who put the dream of a proper playground for the children of Spring St. School in motion, thanked the Snelgrove Family and the numerous volunteers, town officials, and members of the Army and local businesses who had all played a part in seeing her dream come to life.  The Dedication Ceremony was then moved outside to the playground area where the West Bridgewater High School Chorus once again serenaded the audience with a beautiful song entitled "Like An Eagle" while bubbles and butterflies that had been hatched by the kindergarten classes were released into the air.  The ceremonial ribbon was cut by Mr. and Mrs. Snelgrove and the delighted children were then allowed to enjoy their new playground.

                                                                                          Photo by Francine Church                                                                                        Photo by Francine Church

                                                                                Photo by Tracey McCarthy

Richard & Dianne Snelgrove

                                                                                 Photo by Tracey McCarthy                                                                                        Photo by Tracey McCarthy 

                                                                           Release of the Butterflies

                                                Photo by Tracey McCarthy

                                                                                                                 Photo by Francine Church                                                        Photo by Francine Church