Do you know who the Main Street Association is? Hint: It is not a group of business owners on Main Street.

The Main Street Association (MSA) of East Greenwich is a non-profit group of local volunteers who help to organize and promote “family friendly” events around East Greenwich.  Established in 2008, they have been a key player in a variety of EG’s favorite activities, including the Farmer’s Market, Outdoor Movies, and the 5K Turkey Trot.  Additionally, they annually support the events of other local groups, such as the Chamber of Commerce (Arts on Main) and the Town of East Greenwich (Earth Day cleanups). In short, if a local event or activity aligns with its mission – “To enhance living in the Town of East Greenwich, including the improvement of Main Street and its surrounding areas” – the MSA is usually involved.

Recently, the MSA held elections for its 2015 officers. Chances are, you know one or two of them. Here are a few introductions. We’ll introduce the others in a column next week.

MSA President Steve Nelson has been a member since 2008: “I had lived in East Greenwich for a couple years and, living on Main Street, I wanted to see how I could assist in improving the area.”

Steve’s favorite event is the Outdoor Movie on Academy Field. “It is a great event for families that has a very good community feel, especially during the time before the movie plays as people arrive and see their friends and neighbors.”

Steve loves eating out at La Masseria and Red Stripe.

“My wife and I really enjoy LaMasseria, where I usually try different things and my wife reliably orders the pasta with grandmother’s sauce.  There will be competition for our favorite now that Red Stripe has moved to town.”

Vice President Jason Beaumier joined in 2011 because he was “looking to get more involved in the community.” After one meeting, “I instantly became hooked, and am thrilled to be a part of a great group of people making an impact on the community.”

His favorite MSA event is the Turkey Trot.

“I am partial to ‘The Trot’ because it also involves helping another area community group, and has become a homecoming event of sorts, as many people return to the area to partake in the race. It also has the added benefit of bringing in foot traffic to the Main street shops on Small Business Saturday to kick off the holiday season.”

Pizza Heaven on South County Trail is Jason’s favorite spot in town.

“I am a bit of a pizza junkie, so a place like this is, for lack of a better term, heaven,” said Beaumier. “Friendly people and great food, I have never had a bad experience there.”

Secretary Linda Sticca attended her first MSA meeting in 2011, saying that “once I met the members and felt the energy, I wanted to be a part of the MSA.”

Linda’s favorite events are the outdoor movie (which she organizes), and adds that “the Turkey Trot is a lot of fun, seeing the whole community out, families enjoying each other is the best.”

When it comes to restaurants, Linda says her EG favorite is Siena (“The bolognese is ridiculous!”), and as for shopping, she says The Green Door is the place to go:  “The gifts are unique and special. I always feel welcome when I shop there.”

Treasurer Amy Moore became an MSA member in 2010, being the classic example of seeing an opportunity for the community, and then taking the initiative to see it through.

“Michelle Clark and I wanted to start an annual 5K Turkey Trot in town and we felt this was the best avenue to accomplish this,” said Moore. “With all the member support and Town support, we started and have maintained what has become a wonderful tradition for the town.”

It’s no wonder that the Turkey Trot is Amy’s favorite MSA event, as it heads into what will be its 5th annual running in 2015.

“It has become a wonderful tradition not only for my family but many families here in East Greenwich,” she said. “We have raised thousands of dollars to help support local organizations and we have inspired non-runners and runners alike to get out for a wonderful day of physical activity.”

Amy’s favorite eateries include Rasa and Besos, and she enjoys shopping at Sweet Twist and The Green Door.

So now you’ve met the officers. The rest of the MSA board members are:

John Chapski
Michelle Clark
Sabrina D. (intern)
Cristina Feden
Mark Gee
Ian Iannuccilli
Alicia Kamm
Wendy Leonard
Byron Penney
William “Bill” Sequino Jr.
Doug Truesdell
Jonathan Whaley
Sara Whitney
Shane Woolley

To learn more about the Main Street Association, click here.

Doug Truesdell is a member of the Main Street Association.