Charity Ball Memories

by 

Jeff Julian, Saxophone Player 

The Untouchables

When The Untouchables first entered Eason Hall we could feel the history all around us.  The effort that was evident in the preparation for the evening indicated a community coming together with impressive care and organization for a worthy cause.  The fact that this charitable event has been a long-standing tradition reflects even more favorably on the community.  In fact, the sense of tradition was present throughout the evening especially during the "Grand March" at midnight.  Our band had prepared to play "When the Saints Go Marchin' In" for an extended length of time, but we were surprised to see the guests dancing in a complex configuration seeming to be known only to them .. as if it were a community secret.  I was inspired by this and I brought my saxophone with a wireless microphone down to the dance floor and joined in!  The march included a tunnel made by the participants so I went through it.  The configuration eventually led out the door of Eason Hall into the snow with the townspeople gathered in the street outside.  We felt as if we had been accepted into a community filled with both tradition and goodwill.  The Untouchables felt that by performing at the event we were part of something larger than ourselves and we continue to have warm memories of both the Charity Ball and the generous people of Westfield and the Union Relief Association of Westfield NY.

Thank you, Jeff for sharing your special Charity Ball memories.  It is my pleasure to share your memories here. 

 Tickets are still available to purchase from any Union Relief member and at B&C Tax Bookkeeping Services in Westfield.  Come, one and all, to the Charity Ball.