HAWLEY — Despite a smaller turnout than usual, this year’s Hawley Day was not short on cheer as residents celebrated the town’s recent progress and looked ahead to future goals.

The Sons and Daughters of Hawley, the town’s historical society, held the yearly summer event at the Hawley Grove on Sunday morning. After an hour of doughnuts, coffee and conversation under the shade of the common’s many trees, about 30 residents gathered inside the meetinghouse for an annual meeting.

The meeting moved swiftly, its hour-long runtime packed with announcements, business and celebration. It also included a Ceremony of Remembrance to grieve residents who died in the past year. The ceremony did so with a symbolic passing of roses from one vase to another, along with a recitation of English priest Henry Scott Holland’s poem, “Death is Nothing at All,” delivered by Sons and Daughters of Hawley Treasurer Serra Root.

“All is well. Nothing is hurt; nothing is lost,” Root read aloud. “One brief moment and all will be as it was before. How we shall laugh at the trouble of parting when we meet again.”

Next, the Sons and Daughters of Hawley made new officer appointments, highlighted by the transition of Elizabeth Sears from board member to president. John Sears and Root then recognized accomplishments made by those in the community over the past year, including the creation of a book of paintings by beloved late art teacher Jennet Rich.

Although much was celebrated during Hawley Day, John Sears, who will follow his term as Sons and Daughters president with a tenure as second vice president, cited room for improvement in certain areas. One of his biggest goals, he said, is to catalog historical artifacts and documents from around town. He also hopes residents will bring forth their collections to preserve as part of the town’s record.

“That’s something we really need to do this year because people are aging,” he said. “Memories will be gone.”

John Sears assured attendees that the community’s future remains in good hands, though, voicing optimism that Elizabeth Sears — his niece — and her husband will serve Hawley well. He noted that they recently moved to Hawley from Anchorage, Alaska, bringing their young, fresh perspectives with them. Rejuvenating the leadership of the Sons and Daughters of Hawley was another goal he articulated during the meeting.

“It’s just wonderful to have the two of them in town,” he said.

Sunday’s event ended with a performance by Charlemont folk and bluegrass band Small Change. Meanwhile, residents ate lunch on the front lawn.

“It’s always a pleasure to see people gather here,” John Sears said.

Reach Julian Mendoza at 413-930-4231 or jmendoza@recorder.com.

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