We’re happy to announce we will be premiering the documentary at Granite Valley Middle School on December 3rd! Doors open at 12:30 & screening starts at 1PM! Can’t wait to see everyone there and feel free to invite your friends! ADMISSION IS FREE & OPEN TO ALL!
Join the documentary team for the premiere screening of Monson Strong: A Small Town Tornado Story on December 3rd at Granite Valley Middle School in Monson. Doors open at 12:30 p.m., and the film will begin promptly at 1 p.m. with a brief introduction from director Zachary Gawron, who grew up in Monson.
This documentary feature film chronicles the events of June 1, 2011 when an EF3 tornado ripped through western Massachusetts. It traveled 39 miles, leaving a path of utter destruction in its wake. Winds of up to 160 mph shattered windows, tossed cars off the home and lifted entire buildings off their foundations, demolishing businesses, houses of worship and homes. Cities like Springfield have a wealth of resources and first responders to handle the aftermath of a catastrophe, but what happens when such a natural disaster ravages a small community like Monson? The town rallies together to pick up the pieces.
Monson Strong tells this story of dismantling and recovery through the eyes of 10 different people. A few community members prominently featured include Karen King, local leader of the Street Angels volunteer group that distributed food, water and supplies to those whose homes were destroyed; Russ Bressette, a beloved Monson resident whose house was literally lifted over him during the tornado; Representative Brian Ashe, who mobilized the State House of Representatives to provide relief. They and several others recall how that day changed the landscape and heart of Monson forever. Get inspired by the selfless actions of local community members and thousands of volunteers who traveled from far and wide to put this quintessential New England small town back together.
