SPRINGFIELD, Vt. – In 2025, Springfield Hospital hosted the 67th annual Apple Blossom Cotillion, which happened to be their last year for the annual fundraising event. The longstanding community tradition, since 1957, raised funds for Springfield Hospital to support the Dr. E. Sherburne Lovell Health Career award, along with other services for the hospital.
The proceeds were used annually for the scholarship for a graduating senior to pursue higher education in the health care field, and in 2025, to renovate and purchase new equipment for the hospital’s emergency department.
Students from all over the hospital’s service area, including Springfield, Chester, Woodstock, Bellows Falls, and Claremont, were invited year after year to participate in the annual competition of poise and grace, and for one talented lady to be named queen. The tradition began under the leadership of Harriet Lindley, past president of the hospital auxiliary and the chairman of the Ways & Means committee.
“In the first year, seven high school senior girls, all dressed in white gowns, competed for the title of Apple Blossom Queen,” states the hospital’s website. “Introduced by local businessmen, the young women had attended a formal tea and participated in interviews with the judges, who were volunteers from the local chamber of commerce. Final judging took place at the Cotillion dance on May 9, 1957.
“Joan Ryan of Springfield was selected as Queen and the other six contestants made up her court. It was an exciting evening for those in attendance as they danced to the music of the New Glenn Miller Band under the direction of Ray McKinley. The evening was a financial and a social success.”
Over the decades, the event grew to not only showcase the ladies, but featured fun dances from the gentlemen, and also highlighted cheerful dances from “future cotillion” elementary student couples.
Springfield Hospital has a new fundraising event in the planning stages for 2027 and beyond.