Club News | Sons of Erin

Billy Buzzee Irish Night	Billy Buzzee Irish Night will be held on Saturday, March 1st in Colleen Hall. Doors open at 6 pm, corned beef and cabbage dinner at 7 pm (ish). There will be music by Dennis O'Gorman and friends, raffle and cash bar. Tickets are $25 each and available at the Club now. Come down and meet our new 2025 Colleen, Court and award recipients!
Hall or Pavilion Rentals	To rent our facilities please contact our Bar Manager, Brian Colton, by phone at (413) 537-0490.
2025 Colleen and her Court	Our 2025 Colleen is Jillian Cierra Battles! Jillian is 17 years old and a senior at Westfield High School. She is employed part time by the YMCA of Greater Westfield. Jillian is a National Honor Society member and president of Key Club. She is captain of both the Varsity Swim Team and Varsity Tennis Team, a member of Best Buddies, Future Medical Professionals Club, Honor Guard and participates in the Baystate Springfield Educational Partnership. For the past four years, Jillian has filled 800 “Bags for Bravery”, providing everything from personal care items to snacks for active-duty troops and veterans. In her spare time, she enjoys swimming, tennis, biking, walking and doing puzzles. Jillian will be attending Western New England University majoring in Health Sciences with a minor in Political Science. After undergrad, she hopes to attend Harvard Medical School and become a family physician specializing in pediatrics. Our 2025 Court: Jaiden Lynn Caban - Jaiden is 18 years old and a senior at Westfield High School. She is employed part time by Hot Table. Jaiden is a member of the Indoor Track team, National Honor Society, Conservation Club, and Multicultural Club. She is a Student Council Representative and serves as the Chapter Head for Letters for Rose Club. In her free time, Jaiden enjoys embroidery, reading, going to the gym, cooking, and running. Jaiden plans on attending Western New England University in the Fall and majoring in Engineering Science with a concentration in Environmental Engineering. She would eventually like to work in Boston, or abroad after earning her degree. Madison Maire LeClair - Madison is 17 years old and a senior at Westfield High School. She is employed part time by both the Summer House and The Tavern. Madison has achieved honor roll all four years and is a member of the National Honor Society. She is an assistant in the main office, participates in the athletic trainer internship, and is a member of the Volleyball team. She is also President of Collins Cause. Madison spends her free time raising awareness for Pancreatitis and supporting local high school sporting teams. She also enjoys baking for and spending time with her family. Madison hopes to attend the University of Connecticut and pursue a degree in Allied Health. She would like to eventually work with children in a hospital setting. Isabella Louise Proietti - Isabella is 17 years old and a senior at Southwick Regional High School. She is employed part time by Fancy Bagels. Isabella has achieved high honors all 4 years of school, is a member of the National Honor Society and serves as the Vice President of the Class of 2025. She is a member of Connections Club, Varsity Soccer Team and Varsity Track and Field team where she was a state championship qualifier. In her free time, Isabella enjoys volunteering at the Veteran’s Home at Holyoke, and Southwick American Legion. She also enjoys skiing, kayaking, rock climbing, hiking, camping, and strength training. In the Fall, Isabella will be attending Saint Micheal’s College and majoring in Environmental Science. McKenna Kathryn Clark - McKenna is 17 years old and a Senior at Southwick Regional School. She employed part time at Tri County Contractors Supply. Mckenna serves as Captain of both the Indoor and Outdoor Varsity Track Teams. She is a member of the Connections Club, National Honor Society, and serves as a Unified Peer Mentor. In her free time, McKenna enjoys hiking, photography, writing and reading poetry and traveling. She had the opportunity to travel to Ireland this past summer. Upon graduation, McKenna will be attending Plymouth State University majoring in Elementary Education and Youth Development. She will also undertake a 4 +1 Master’s program to obtain her masters in Special Education.
2025 Billy Buzzee "St. Pat on the Back" Award	Congratulations to our Billy Buzzee St. Pat on the Back award winners the Colleen Committee! The Sons of Erin Colleen Committee takes on the responsibility of organizing, planning and facilitating the annual selection process to crown one young female of Irish descent to represent the Sons of Erin and the City of Westfield as their Colleen along with four other young ladies who comprise the Colleen Court. Although these choices occur at the Colleen Ball in February, the committee works throughout the entire year leading up to the ball by holding various fundraisers to offset the associated costs. These events include a Night at the Races, the Colleen Golf Tournament and the Tailgate party, finally culminating in the Colleen Ball which then signals the start of the "Green Season" with numerous chaperoned public events leading up to St. Patrick's Day and the Holyoke St. Patrick's Day Parade. The Colleen Committee members include Helen Tymeson (Chair), Beth Burns, Kara Herman, Rosemarie Hodgdon, Anne Killam, Tracy Oleksak, Karen Regan and Kerri Tymeson.
2025 Parade Marshal	Congratulations to our Parade Marshal for 2025 Tim O'Connor! Born and raised in Westfield, Tim graduated from Westfield High School, received a degree in Finance from the University of Colorado, and received a Master of Business Administration degree from American International College. He is married to Terri (Quinn) O’Connor (34 years) and has two daughters, Ashlee (30) and Erin (27), and a grand dog, Lincoln. Tim has served on the Westfield School Committee for 16+ years, served on the St. Mary’s Finance Council for 10+ years and served on the Board of The Boys and Girls Club of Westfield for 5+ years. Tim has been a coach in the Westfield Youth Sports program, Westfield Park and Rec, and Suburban basketball. He has also participated in Special Olympics as a coach and other volunteer roles. Tim has worked for Davies Life & Health (Risk Mgt. Insurance and Technology) for 29+ years and currently serves as its VP of Claim Operations and Administration. Tim is a long-time member of the Sons of Erin and a member of the Irish Cultural Center. His Irish heritage originates from County Kerry and County Cork, and he and his family were fortunate to travel to Ireland in 2019.
2025 Thomas M. Kane Irishman of the Year	Congratulations to our 2025 Thomas M. Kane Irishman of the Year Jim Laverty! James Michael Laverty (Jim), is a lifetime member of the Sons of Erin. He has served the Sons of Erin as member of the Board of Directors, Vice President and President. Jim has served the City of Westfield as a member of several commissions and elected offices including the School Committee, the City Council, the Gas and Electric Commission and the Water Commission. A graduate of Westfield State College and the University of Massachusetts Jim retired after a 30 year career in education as a teacher and educational administrator. Jim served his country enlisting in the United States Marine Corps after high school. He was deployed to Vietnam in July of 1968 and served with the 9^th Marines Regiment as a rifleman and radio operator. He is a proud member of the American Legion and the Vietnam Veterans of America.
2025 Dorothy B. Griffin Irishwoman of the Year	Congratulations to Sally Popoli on being named the 2025 Dorothy B. Griffin Irishwoman of the Year. Sally has been a member of the SOE since 1985. She was involved with the Auxiliary and served as the Treasurer for several years; helped at the Children’s Christmas Parties; and marched many years in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Once a full member, she served on the Scholarship Committee for many years. In addition she worked behind the scenes helping out at many club activities.Sally’s Irish roots trace back to County Mayo.Her maternal great grandparents arrived in the USA in the 1860’s. Sally grew up in Fitchburg, MA and moved to Westfield in 1973. She received a BSN from Columbia University, and she received a Masters in Educational Psychological from AIC. Sally worked as a school nurse for the Westfield Public Schools for 28 years retiring in 2012.She volunteers in the community and loves to travel all over the world!! She wishes that her life partner Jack Glynn was here to cheer her on.
Newsletter / Newsblast	The Club's conversion to an email format for our newsletter is ongoing. This conversion is a substantial savings to the Club in postage, printing and labor, as well as being an eco-friendly alternative. If you have not already done so, please send your email address to soewestfield@gmail.com to receive your newsletter online.
2025 Club Officers	Congratulations to the 2025 Club Officers President - Steve Griffin Vice President - Mike Kane Treasurer - Steve Burke Sgt. at Arms - Kevin Fitzgerald Recording Secretary - Megan Sweet Membership Secretary - Dennis Moran Board of Directors Bridget Barber Dermot Hurley Tom Johnson Mike McMahon Paul Miller Steve Witkus
Quote of the Month	“While it is February, one can taste the full joys of anticipation. Spring stands at the gate with her finger on the latch.” — Patience Strong ☘️
General Membership Meetings	The Club's General Membership meetings are held on the first Sunday of each month at 12:00 noon. Meetings are usually suspended for the summer months of June, July and August.
Commemorative Bricks	The Building Committee is selling Commemorative Bricks that will be used to pave a "Memorial Walkway" leading to the 911 Memorial at the Club. These bricks can be inscribed in the memory of a departed family member, loved one, or with your own name. The Walkway enhances the beauty of the 911 Memorial dedicated in the memory of Daniel Trant, Tara Creamer and Brian Murphy. Cost is $75.00 per brick. Forms are located at the Club and here under "List of Forms".
Commemorative Veteran's Coins	The Club has created a Commemorative Veteran Coin to be issued to the Club's Irish-American Veterans. You are also eligible to receive one on behalf of a deceased family member that was a veteran. The coins can be personalized with an engraving at your own expense. Please contact Dermot Hurley to receive your coin.
Club Dues	General Membership - $70.00, Seniors Over 62 - $35.00. Women's Aux - $35.00, Seniors Over 55 - $17.50. There is a $10.00 late fee for payment after February 1st. An initial one-time fee of $100.00 for new general members will be assessed. This fee is waived for new members between the ages of 21-35.