A WARM REASON TO LOVE A PARADE: This coming Sunday in the annual Columbus Day Parade in East Boston, the local US Navy peacoat manufacturers Sterlingwear of Boston, Inc. will be sponsoring the Boston Windjammers Marching Band and will have a truck filled with their employees marching and passing out candy and discount coupons for the East Boston store. Sterlingwear of Boston, Inc., producers of the famous US Navy peacoat for over 40 years, is now making the coats for sale to the general public and in many colors, sizes, and styles for the whole family. The retail store is located at 175 McClellan Hwy., East Boston. See you at the parade!

HISTORY WE NEED REPEATED: The Columbus Day Parade, a valuable annual tradition many years ago, will soon become a realization due to many dedicated city and state officials, including Mayor Dan Rizzo, and generous businesses and private citizens who will bring back what is sorely lacking—its heritage. Although some believe that parades are just that, parades, and aren’t worth the time and money, they may have failed to realize that what walks down Main St. —with all its pomp and circumstance—is a reflection of a city or town. Just imagine the high school teams, cheerleaders, and student athletes smiling and walking tall; local business owners as they ride down Broadway, signs adorning their antique cars and trucks as they transport local heroes; the boys and girls clubs waving; the politicians strutting along, smiling and shaking hands; and Christopher Columbus himself, leading the procession. Now that the city has a “clean street” for next year’s “re-annual” Columbus Day Parade, let’s take some time to really put our hearts, souls, money, and imaginations into the event. Let’s show our neighbors to the south what a Columbus Day Parade is really all about—and let’s have some fun, once again. Just imagine!

KIWANIAN QUEEN: Congratulations to School Committeewoman Donna Wood-Pruitt, who has once again taken the gavel as the Revere Kiwanis Club President—for the fifth time. Donna has proven time-and-time again to be someone who deeply cares about the children of Revere, and as Kiwanis Club President, the children of the world, which Kiwanis Clubs serve. Congratulations, Donna. I know many deeply appreciate your continued service to the community. —JDM