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By Daniel Curtin
Hometown Weekly Reporter
Walpole residents came out to the common for the last summer concert of the season last Tuesday evening.
The summer night was very hot as the sun sat low in the sky, painting the green open space a golden hue. Families sat in lawn chairs and on the grass, resting under the shade of trees while enjoying music ranging from 1950s rock to modern hits, provided by BC & Company.
Jim Hinds has been at every one of the concerts on the common this summer. He is one of the van drivers for the Council on Aging in Walpole and brings seniors to and from the events. He also performed on trumpet with the Roy Scott Big Band in one of the concerts earlier this summer.
“It means a lot to me, but it means more to [the seniors]," said Hinds. "I gave them the option tonight of not doing this because [of] the humid weather, and only two women said they don’t want to go. It’s tremendous and I’m a musician, so I love it anyways. I enjoy these guys a lot.”
The group played songs by Etta James and Aretha Franklin, such as 'At Last' and 'Chain Of Fools.'
Ann Marie Bielemin sat in a lawn chair between her friends, taking in the sights and sounds of the summer evening. She has been coming out to see the different concerts at the common for several years.
“When you think about what Walpole offers for free - and I know other towns do, too - I think people would be silly not to take advantage of these wonderful things and good music,” Bielemin said.
MacBride, who lives right down the road from the common, thinks the summer concerts provide a unbeatable way to spend a night.
“I’ve been listening to a psychology series, and it says one of the most important things is to get outside. So many people live their whole lives inside now, so here we are with wonderful music, pleasant company, a wonderful night in nature," said MacBride. "Everything we need."
