Stacy Hartman and Mayor Chuck Fewell chat following the Riley Festival Mayor’s Breakfast held Oct. 7 at Trinity Park Church in Greenfield. As the mayor’s assistant, Hartman took some good-natured ribbing from Fewell during his remarks at the breakfast, which the festival hosts to honor Greenfield’s mayor each year.
Shelley Swift | Daily Reporter
GREENFIELD — Laughter was on the menu at the Riley Festival Mayor’s Breakfast, held Oct. 7 at Trinity Park Church in Greenfield.
Mayor Chuck Fewell kept the crowd entertained with his trademark humor throughout the breakfast, an annual event hosted by the Riley Festival in appreciation of the mayor’s support.
This is the 10th and final breakfast honoring Fewell, who wraps up his final term in office at the end of this year.
The outgoing mayor thanked his wife, Kristin, for attending countless events with him throughout the years.
“Kristin and I haven’t missed a Riley Festival or a mayor’s breakfast in 10 years,” said Fewell, who called his last year as mayor bittersweet.
“Whoever is elected to take over next will have a lot to do because we’ve started a lot of things that need to get done,” he said.
Fewell gave credit to the city’s department heads and others who keep the city running each day, many of whom were in attendance at the breakfast.
“The department heads make me look good. I take the credit, but they are good, solid people and they do a great job,” he said with a smile. “They make it all come together and work.”
Fewell also praised the Riley Festival board of directors for making the festival happen each year.
“The festival is just as important as it can be, and they do a great job of running it,” he said.
As is tradition, the mayor was presented with the winning entry of this year’s Baker’s Best contest, which takes place near the start of the Riley Festival each year.
This year’s winner, Rose Reiser, presented Fewell with her winning apple honey pie.
Fewell pointed out that it wasn’t Reiser’s first time winning the baking contest.
“I believe you presented me with a dessert 10 years ago, and I’m afraid to admit I kept your pie plate from all those years ago,” he joked. “I see you’ve made sure to deliver it on a paper plate this year.”
As is also tradition, a Riley Festival volunteer read the James Whitcomb Riley poem chosen for this year’s festival theme. Retired teacher Terry Beagle — who Kristin Fewell said was her favorite teacher growing up — read “Nine Little Goblins,” a whimsically spooky tale.
Riley Festival president Anita Turner then led a question-and-answer session with Fewell, and starting by asking about his favorite memories in office.
“The most joyful day I had was being sworn in as your mayor because it meant so much to me,” he told the crowd.
“It was something I desperately wanted to do,” said Fewell, who credited his wife for encouraging him to pursue his dream.
Fewell said his second-most-cherished memory was the day he helped cut the ribbon on Michael’s Playground, an all-inclusive playground dedicated in memory of his grandson, Michael, who died as the result of genetic disorder in 2019.
“That playground means so much to us. We lost our grandson, but we have him here because we go out there a lot,” he shared.
Turner then asked Fewell how he felt Greenfield has changed throughout his tenure.
“It’s changing for the good,” he responded. “I was always told to leave something better than you find it, and I believe we’ve accomplished that,” he said.
Turner noted that Fewell had 85 days left in office and asked what he planned to do in 86 days.
“You’ll have to ask her,” he said while motioning to his wife, eliciting laughs from the crowd.
Fewell said that in retirement his wife has tasked him with going through some old “treasures” he has in storage, but that the couple also has some fun stuff planned.
“I don’t want to work full time, but I do want to do things to keep me active,” said Fewell, hinting that he would enjoy continuing to support the city in some capacity.
“I suppose I’ll sleep in a little bit longer. Instead of waking up at quarter ’til 4 I might sleep ’til quarter ’til 5,” he joked.
Turner thanked Fewell for his years of service and for attending the Mayor’s Breakfast each year and asked if he would continue to attend in the future.
“As long as I can get a comped ticket,” he said with a grin.
