KENT—There’s a story behind “At a Moment’s Notice,” the theme of this year’s Kent Volunteer Firemen’s Ball.
“At a Moment’s Notice” is also the title of a painting featured on this year’s Firemen’s Ball invitation, executed by Kent artist Leslie Lillien Levy. Twenty years ago, she was approached by fire department member Lynn Mellis Worthington to originate artwork for the 2004 Firemen’s Ball invitation. According to Levy, “I had wanted to create a painting to honor the bravery of those first responders who saved lives, some who lost their own, during the events of 9/11. I had been stumped. When Lynn asked me to create artwork, the idea of firefighters and EMS workers always being ready ‘at a moment’s notice’ came to my mind immediately. Hence, the painting came into being.”
It is 20 years later. The painting had been on loan to several town officials. Levy felt now was the time to give the original art to the fire department. When she approached Department President John Russell and Department Secretary and Ball Chair Caralee Rochovansky, they accepted her gift immediately. Rochovansky also realized it was the 20-year anniversary of using the artwork on the front of the Firemen’s Ball invitation. The ball committee decided to use the image again. The painting will be presented officially to the department at the ball this year following the Grand March.
The highly anticipated annual Kent Firemen’s Ball will be hosted by the Kent Volunteer Fire Department at the firehouse, 28 Maple Street, Kent (route 341 East) Saturday, June 8. Doors open at 6 p.m. with hors d’oeuvres, followed by buffet dinner service at 7 p.m. It’s BYOB—mixers and ice will be provided.
Reservations are strongly encouraged with payment in advance. Call or text 860-671-7107 or go online at www.kentfire.org/ball (click events) to reserve individual seats or a table of 12. Admission is $50 per person with a reservation in advance, $60 at the door with no advanced reservation. To pay by check, send it to KVFD Firemen’s Ball, PO Box 355, Kent, CT 06757. Be sure to note your check is for the Firemen’s Ball.
