SOUTHWOODS MAGAZINE April 2013
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INDEX April’s Forsythia By Bernadette Gentry........................................................... 3 In a Heartbeat/National Donate to Life Month ...................................... 4 Looking Back at 1954 By Clifton J. (Jerry) Noble Sr............................. 6 The Friend’s of Quabbin Remember By Gene Theroux....................... 10 Country Cooking By Christy Cox.................................................................... 13 Spring Clean Up By Cooley Buy..................................................................... 14 Retirement Doctor By Enrique J. Alvarez................................................... 18 The Garden By Phil Pothier................................................................................... 19 Destination Local: Magic Wings By Christy Cox................................... 20 Town Crier................................................................................................................ 22 Classifieds ................................................................................................................ 31
Publisher Carole Caron Editor Lyssa Peters Layout/Design Artists Lyssa Peters, Christy Cox, Martin Lee Advertising Manager Christy Cox Advertising Consultant Kris Sanders
This Month’s Cover: “Pots of Fun” Pen/Ink/Prisma Pencil by Dianne Murphy Holyoke, MA
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Survivor of winter harshness and warmed now by April sun, the forsythia bushes bloom exuberantly in yards and by the roadsides. They wave their branches filled with yellow beauty to joggers,
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A Grieving Parent and Organ Recipient Discover the Importance of Sharing Life
A
Brenda hearing Gary’s heart
fter her only child, Gary Lodge, died unexpectedly at age 34 when a blood clot lodged at the base of his brain, Brenda Cervantes searched for ways to preserve his essence in her life, including tracing his footsteps throughout Europe, where he had traveled three times. Seven years later, she still grieves his loss. “You never get used to it, never get over it, although some days are better than others,” 59-year-old Brenda said. “If you stop to think about it, we have no word in English — like widow or widower — for parents who lose children; I’ve even looked online to see if other cultures do, but I’ve never found one.”
April 17th
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SOUTHWOODS MAGAZINE April 2013
She didn’t know until he died that her son had designated himself an organ donor, but within hours of his death on March 20, 2005, Gary’s organs and tissues were harvested and made available to others who needed them. Not long afterward, Brenda received a thank-you letter forwarded to her by Donate Life Northwest, a nonprofit organization that promotes organ, eye and tissue donation, from the recipient of Gary’s liver. A man who lived in Idaho and received a lung began sending her annual Christmas greetings. Even with those connections, nothing could have prepared her for the experience of listening through a stethoscope to her son’s still-living heart beating in the chest of 69-year-old Mary Parker, whose life was saved by Gary’s tragic gift. “I could feel his heart beating - that was the part that was hardest for me, knowing that my son’s heart was still there, still beating,” Brenda said. “I had to keep thinking that this was a gift from him to this other person.” Face-to-face meetings between organ recipients and the donor’s family members are rare. In the case of Brenda and Mary, it was the shared memory of a big double rainbow that appeared in the sky the day Gary died that eventually brought the two women together. “We apparently both saw it at the same time,” marvels Brenda, who in her grief hoped the rainbow in some way might be a message from Gary, to remind her that the beauty of life could continue. “Especially now, I live my life believing that things are as they are supposed to be,” she said. At the time of Gary Lodge’s stroke, he was in Eugene with his fiancée. He woke up that day with loss of muscle use and nausea, and was declared brain dead later that day. In the meantime, Mary Parker was in Portland waiting for a heart transplant. While flying back from New York several months before from a visit to see her first great-grandchild, she had suffered a massive heart attack on the airplane.
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“I was removed from the plane to an ambulance — the heart attack destroyed the left ventricle, and I was on an assist device and put on the transplant list on Dec. 30, 2004,” Mary said. By the time Gary Lodge died, her health had deteriorated and a transplant had become critical. A medical official later told her she could not have lived more than days longer without a new heart. To her, the appearance of the rainbow signified hope that her turn might come. On the day Gary’s organs became available, the pager she kept with her around the clock went off “for the first time ever, but it was a mistake,” Mary said. But then it rang a second time, and that time it was for her. Following an organ transplant, Donate Life Northwest cross-files the names of donors and recipients in case they wish mutually to establish contact with each other. Letters can be exchanged, but at least at first, they usually contain little in the way of identifying information. “I wrote a letter to Brenda within the first year after my transplant,” she said. “The information I had was pretty skimpy. I knew his name was Gary and some of his characteristics and things he liked to do.” “I told Brenda in an early letter that I felt we were a real match,” Mary said. “For one thing, we both had English-related degrees. He despised bad grammar, and so do I; when I was working, I kept a file of other people’s spelling and grammatical errors that drove me crazy. We both loved reading.” Several years went by with no more communication as both women worked at putting their new lives together. Early last April, when Mary Parker opened Donate Life Northwest’s latest newsletter she and saw a story about a man named Gary who died at 34 and whose mother had seen a double rainbow near the time of his death. “I knew immediately he was my donor, and I knew I wanted to meet her,” she said. A meeting was arranged in Portland a few days later. “When I first saw her, I said, ‘Hi,’ and then I think I said, ‘Thank you.’ ” For her part, Brenda Cervantes felt instantly drawn to the woman who now lives thanks to her son’s heart. “Mary is such a cool person,” she said. “I don’t laugh easily, but that day she made me laugh more than I ever laugh.” But
Mary also made her cry. “She gives me huge hugs that can make me cry. Gary was a hugger, just like her,” Brenda said. “That’s one of the things I miss about him most, and Mary is just the same. There are so many similarities between them; I sometimes wonder, with the same heart, how much other overlap really is there. I feel with Mary, Gary’s heart is at home.” Despite the fact that one of the women had to lose something precious for the other to gain something precious, both are equally ardent about the importance of people sharing their organs with others in case of their own deaths. In Gary Lodge’s case, more than 80 people benefited from his death, said Karen Werstein, spokeswoman for Donate Life Northwest. “Gary was able to donate his lungs, liver, kidneys, pancreas and heart, which saved six lives,” she said. “He donated a cornea to each of two people, and the rest came from his tissue donations.” According to the federal Department of Health and Human Services, every day there are nearly 115,000 people awaiting lifesaving transplants, and 18 each day die because a donation does not occur in time. “We talk a lot about recycling other things, but we rarely talk about recycling ourselves,” Brenda said. “It’s so important, if by doing that we can give others a chance to live, to have more time with the people who are important in their lives.” Mary Parker said she no longer takes anything in life for granted. “How could I complain about anything?” she said. “I wake up every morning, do things, go places and read a lot. I am able to be part of my family — my husband, three kids, five grandchildren and one great-grandchild. “And it’s all because of one man, who is not just a donor, he’s Gary. He had a tremendous impact on many people’s lives, and it continues — you can’t give any more important gift than that.” This story, originally written by Randi Bjornstad, appeared in the Eugene, Oregon Register-Guard on Sunday, June 10, 2012. It was condensed to fit in Southwoods. Excerpted with permission of The Register-Guard.
SOUTHWOODS MAGAZINE April 2013
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Looking Back at 1954
1950s Sears & Roebuck Catalogue
By Clifton (Jerry) Noble, Sr.
J
anuary 6, 1954, Wednesday. Roland C. Wilcox died. He was only 39. He became head librarian at the Westfield Athenaeum in June 1946 while I was still substituting as assistant. I could write shorthand and type so he dictated letters. I enjoyed helping him with library projects even after I started work for Massachusetts Department of Public Works in October 1947. He had spent three years with Air Force and Army Ground Forces and encouraged assistant librarian, Miriam Wolcott, to fly a plane. He was cheerful and active in many organizations. It puzzled me that so young a man could be completely bald, but I never suspected he might have cancer. By Civil Service exams I had progressed from rodman to chief of my own party in the survey section of Mass. DPW. During early 1954 we were concerned with reconstruction of Route 5 in West Springfield at both the tunnel under approach to North End Bridge and the traffic circle at Memorial Avenue. All men in my party smoked. I didn’t. It was bad enough to have smoke in the field office where I used the Marchand electric calculator, but the smell was in my car.
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SOUTHWOODS MAGAZINE April 2013
For about a quarter mile upstream from North End Bridge the river was too close to Riverdale Road t o permit building a dike high enough to protect hundreds of side street houses and the tunnel from flood waters. Therefore this contract included a concrete wall about ten feet high for that distance. The steep riverbank was to be protected from erosion by covering it with “rip rap,” large pieces of broken stone. By May and June I was giving location and elevation for both. The closest I could park to the “rip rap” operation was the sidewalk of Riverdale Road. Hence it could be a long walk around the end of already-constructed floodwall to get forgotten information or equipment. The operator of the big crane placing stone was helpful. As soon as he realized my need he had me get in the bucket and lifted me over the wall. After a project was finished it had to resurveyed to verify that it was built according to contract plans. “025” at start of the 16-digit work order number on our time sheets meant “final” work while ”024” denoted “construction.” My daily personal accounts reveal other happenings. January 19 I bought a blue, vestless suit from Sears Roebuck for $24.95. Haircuts cost 90 cents and our monthly electric bill was between three and four dollars. Movie admission was 45 cents and most books of piano music such as Czerny were 75 cents. Heating oil (kerosene) was 17 cents a gallon. Shoes were $4.95, overshoes $5.95 and sneakers $2.69. From Fred Mueller in
son wanted to take us. I wouldn’t Denver, Colorado, I ordered denim leave my construction job but arcowboy shirts with snaps instead ranged for Hester to go. Uncle of buttons for $6.95 and jeans for Ralph took her, wife Georgia, and $3.49. In July a hammock cost $5.98. daughter Mabel to Radio City MuA step ladder for $4.98 was added sic Hall and other sights. in November, and an electric flat Perhaps being a bit stageiron in December for $14.95. As to struck may have increased my books, I got Ted Shawn’s Every Litinterest in ballet. I first studied tle Movement for $3, Kingley’s Wafrom books, but, after an interter Babies for $3.82, and Mechanics view with Marjery Fielding Hayby Hodgson and Styles for $5.95. le, I spent Saturday afternoons for I netted $72.82 from the state. $1.25 a lesson in a class of schoolRetirement deduction of $4.43 and Vin Penna, north approach to tunnel at North End bridge West age kids. A Longmeadow doctor’s witholding tax of $11.25 added up Springfield. Flood wall at extreme right. wife, Mrs Yerbury, taught singing to the gross of $88.50. A survey job so I invested $3 a week with her. As June approached I looked for Les Weisman in Russell earned $50, but I paid Ernie Rapforward to participating in the Hayles’ recital, “Stars of Tomorisarda $21.25 to help me row” to be held at Court Square Theater. A large part of the Real Estate tax was $58.80. Property insurance cost $23.50. program was based on songs from the movie “Hans Christian In April I got an electric motor for my cement mixer for $39.95. Anderson.” I was to be schoolmaster as well as perform in othThis mixed concrete for footings and foundation walls for my er skits. Evening rehearsals were necessary. Cousin Lester had new house. (Cement cost $1.25 a bag.) 4-inch clay drainage tile finished his new house on High Street, Southampton. I left Hes2-feet long was 68 cents apiece ter with him, saying I would pick her up about ten. Rehearsal Although I made puppet heads out of wood and Hester went on and on. I didn’t get back to Hester till nearly midnight. dressed them, cat, dog, and monkey puppets could be bought She was upset. for $2.98 from the toy department of Johnson’s Bookstore. I so wanted to be in the show. What to do? I went out on Second hand green drapes, which covered my portable pupthe road in front of our house and prayed, “If I ought to give up pet theater were donated by Bessie Sibley’s sister, and I doubt being in the show, would God show lightning in the clear night that one-by-two-inch lumber plus hardware, wiring, lights and sky.” Scarcely had I thought this when over the mountaintop scenery cost more than $20. across the valley there was a streak of lightning. I went right in While helping in his father’s clock and lock shop, my cousphoned a message to the Hayle’s home that I would not be in in Lester Emerson worked two days a week for a carpenter. He “Stars…”. Saturday night of the show Lester’s family sat in the earned $1.25 an hour and had to clean up after others who used audience with Hester and me. basements for toilets. Hester and I offered to pay him $2 an I expected to be blacklisted from future programs, but hour for two days a week to help with my building. He helped. such was definitely not the case as events of 1955 will show. Ever since age ten I had wanted to write for pulication. Now from magazines such as The Grade Teacher and F. A. Owen’s Instructor I got as much as $8 for poems. Puppet shows drew $5 to $25 and kept us busy especially for Christmas parties. We entertained a church fair and visited “cousin” Rachel Allyn Love at “Glass House” in Sherman, Connecticut. “Glass house,” with one wall all windows, was described in a magazine. When mother “Hester” and I had lived in Fresno, California (1942-1945) I had been to Los Angeles and San Francisco, but neither of us had been to New York City. Uncle Ralph Emer-
SOUTHWOODS MAGAZINE April 2013
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SOUTHWOODS MAGAZINE April 2013
“It’s time to get our house in order!”
Joe Deedy
We need a candidate who is: • Level headed with real world management experience • Cares about our families and senior citizens • Will work hard to balance town services with decreasing revenue • Will find areas of wasteful spending • Will work across party lines to bring the best solutions for ALL the people of Southwick
Joe Deedy Will Look Out For Us!
If you have any questions or concerns please contact Joe at www.joedeedy.com or on facebook at Selectman Candidate Joe Deedy
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SOUTHWOODS MAGAZINE April 2013
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The Friends of Quabbin Remember
delibly etched images of the conflict between past and progress help to explain the dual lines of interest and 75 years ago, in 1933, the towns involvement that continue to charof Dana, Enfield, Greenwich and acterize his life to this day. Prescott Massachusetts were lost to Bob explains in his story that the Quabbin Reservoir. The anniveralthough they were poor, they were sary on April 28th of the disincorvery happy living on a farm. They poration of the 4 lost valley towns had an association with their farm brings a lot of memories to the foranimals: a horse, a cow, some pigs mer residents of the Swift River Valand chickens. They did not go hunley, though there are few left to tell gry; they grew and raised their food their stories. ("plenty of vegetables and milk – One former resident, Robert no sweets”). Bob says they never “Bob” Wilder was born in Enfield had to leave town for anything they and grew up in Smith Village (Enneeded whether for necessities or field). He has a very interesting entertainment; it was all there in story of life in the valley from early Enfield. Bob has freely and freBob Wilder pointing to his original home childhood through his exodus from quently shared his story through Enfield and after. The Wilder’s, like the many years since his retirement in 1985 from Titeflex as a many other families in the Swift River Valley, were very poor. Quality Engineer. The country was in the midst of the great Depression during My first meeting with Bob Wilder was at a Tuesday Tea just his youth. Young Robert Wilder’s consciousness of our disapover a year and a half ago. Each time we have met since then pearing heritage was dramatically set in 1938 as he watched the and I have had an opportunity to talk with Bob, I walk away rising waters of the nascent Quabbin Reservoir forever obscure with more knowledge, understanding and appreciation of not the home farm in his native Enfield, Massachusetts. Those inonly history in the former valley but other areas of early American History. A particular personal note is that his family has been in America since 1635; I have ancestors that arrived here Serving Southwick, Westfield, in 1620. Agawam, Suffield and the Hilltowns By Gene Theroux President, Friends of Quabbin, Inc.
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Right: Enfield Center - pre 1900. Notice the horses with wagons attached to the hitching post on the left. The intersection, straight to Prescott, right is the road to Ware. In the background is the Swift River Hotel. There were three fires in Enfield that periodically leveled the business center and the Swift River Hotel survived intact until the town was razed. Below left: A fire on February 19, 1900 that scorched the Swift River Hotel, burnt the Howe Block, the Masonic block and the Barlow building to the ground prompted Enfield to take action at a town meeting. An appropriation was made to purchase a modern fire pumper, and a fire house to store it in. Right, the Enfield Fire Department trying out their new steam pumper in the winter of 1902. The horse drawn fire engine was purchased from the American Fire Engine Co. of Seneca Falls, NY. It was a Silsby engine with a Fox boiler. It was delivered by rail in September 1901.
With fellow Friends of Quabbin board member, John Zebb, I visited Bob Wilder and his lovely wife Nancy at their home in Brookfield last December. We were at the Wilder home for hours listening to Bob’s stories, admiring his craftsmanship and enjoying his life experiences. Bob represents the "American Dream" in that through hard work, reading and research he overcame poverty, made something of his life, and gave back to society. His grandmother got him on-track by emphasizing reading at a young age. Bob listened to her. He graduated from high school as valedictorian of his class. When he discovered that higher education was beyond his financial capabilities in the times of the Korean War, Bob joined the Marine Corps. He served in combat in Korea and lost several childhood friends in
that war. He gained practical experience as a combat engineer and attended Marine Corps school in Quantico, VA to earn a degree in engineering. It was fascinating to learn of other notable Americans that he served with in the Marine Corps such as Corporal Lee Trevino and USMC Captain Theodore Samuel
Continued on page 12
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Friends of Quabbin continued from page 11
“Ted” Williams, ”The Splendid Splinter.” Bob served with Ted for about six months. Bob is proud and appreciative of what the Marine Corps taught him; skills and knowledge that helped him through both combat and life. In the 55 plus years since his Marine Corps service, he continues to live by the Marine Corps Rifleman Creed. Marine field experience and the engineering degree enabled him to work for an aerospace firm, advancing from production foreman to chief inspector. He toured the U.S. troubleshooting problems with the development of air-frames, rocket engines and life-support systems for outer space and the race to the moon. But he never lost his fascination with his heritage. Upon retiring from the service, he became a notable expert on the Boston Post Roads. He mapped historic sites in the seven-town Quabbin region. He is a frequent consultant and interpreter for Old Sturbridge Village. He directed me to the Brookfield Public Library where there are 55 large color maps of all the historic things that happened in Central Massachusetts from the first settlement through the Civil War period. These maps include 8 large maps with overlays showing the change in New England from Pangeae to the area being covered with 1000 feet of water before the ice caps formed to the glaciers advance and retreat. Others show the points of historical interest through time. He has a vast knowledge of the King Phillips War and central Massachusetts history. Robert Wilder has citations received from the Massachusetts Senate, the Massachusetts House of Representative for his contributions on American History to the surrounding towns of Brookfield and Bob was designated the “Citizen of the Year” for the Town of Brookfield in 2010.
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SOUTHWOODS MAGAZINE April 2013
Bob welcomes visitors to his home and he is both eager and delighted to share his experiences of life of the Swift River Valley and growing up on a farm in Smith Village (Enfield), Massachusetts. If you can’t make it to Brookfield to visit Bob, you may visit the Quabbin Visitor’s Center and arrange to view the DVD, Robert Wilder “Exodus from Enfield” produced by the Quabbin Visitor’s Center staff. Sometime in the near future, my personal goal is to make a movie from the edited audio captured that day in December, adding images provided by Bob, of some of his life works. This linking of oral history with historic images available in various archives or in the hands of living residents or their descendants is a way of creating a real sense of the way people lived. This 75th Year of Remembrance of the Swift River Valley/ Quabbin region underscores the importance of capturing as much of this information as possible and assembling it in enjoyable and educational ways that keep these personal histories alive for future generations. The Friends of Quabbin welcome any contributions you might be able to make to this effort. You have an opportunity to visit with Bob and other former residents of the Swift River Valley at the 75th Swift River Valley/Quabbin Remembrance Ball on April 27, 2013 at the Ware Town Hall. For more info visit www.foquabbin.org The Friends of Quabbin, Inc., was formed in 1984 as a non-profit volunteer organization dedicated to increasing public awareness and appreciation of the unique natural and historical resources of the Quabbin Reservoir and Reservation. The Swift River Valley Historical Society is the leading resource in preserving the artifacts, stories, and records of the lost towns of the Quabbin Valley. Visit swiftrivervalleyhistoricalsociety.org for more info.
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SOUTHWOODS MAGAZINE April 2013
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By Cooley Buy
B
efore starting any new landscaping projects I have a long standing deal with myself that I MUST do the spring clean up first. This is particularly hard for me as I suffer from a serious gardening condition known as Y.A.D.D. – Yard Attention Deficit Disorder. This disorder manifests itself in my inability to stay on task once out playing in the yard. I start weeding a flower bed, “Oh look that bush needs to be
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SOUTHWOODS MAGAZINE April 2013
trimmed”. On the way to get the trimmers Y.A.D.D. kicks in when mole tracks are spot around the bulbs I plants last fall. “I hate moles. Where did I put that trap?” Changing direction to the garage I notice the rock wall is a little crooked. A quick repair turns into tearing down the rock wall and rebuilding it into a tri-level fortress with planting nooks, the trimmers are long forgotten. Ready to battle armed with my trusty wheelbarrow, heavy metal rake, flat nose shovel, monster clippers, and chain saw I peer out over the yard with the determination of a warrior about to conquer all. The usual enemies are present on my battle field: Sand thrown 20’ into the yard by the snowplow; an elaborate highway of tunnels complements of a mole family zigzagging across the yard; windblown leaves tucked up against stone walls and trapped in a tangle of last summer’s flowers. Sticks and branches ranging in size and length have me smiling and pleased, “OH goodie – I get to use the chain saw!” And my personal favorite (yeah right) slime in the koi ponds. I’m busy as a beaver picking up sticks when my first visitor stops by. Now most of you are out-of-towners, so not part of my network of Stopper-Inners. Stopper-Inners are local people, friends and family who stop for a quick chat when they see you out in the yard. Stopper-Inners play a key role in the gathering of town gossip. Since I am well acquainted with this phenomenon I don’t mind being a willing participant, doing my part to keep the tradition alive. Good Stopper-Inner conversations last 5-10 minutes sometimes stretching to 15 minutes if the tête-à-tête is good. Most often the Stopper-Inners just pull alongside the yard, which requires all passing vehicles to slow down. This is in fact all part of the big gossip mill. When the Stopper-Inners have you engaged, the rest of the town drives by talking note of who has stopped. This gives the Driver-Byers the opportunity later on to say “I saw you out talking to Cooley over the weekend. How are things with her?” Hence the wheels of gossip begin without someone rudely blurting out “Guess what I heard” or “Did you hear”. Clearly those statements would mark you as town gossip and no one wants that label. As the day moves on with good progress, limited Y.A.D.D. opportunities and many Stopper-Inners to catch up with I finally have to deal with the “pond slime”. I have three small
connecting koi ponds that have to be cleaned of winter yuck, a truly dreadful job. Once the ponds are de-slimed all the equipment has to be cleaned and tested before the fish can be moved from their winter digs to their summer home. Most of the clean up can be done with a rake and shovel. The last bit really is best to do with your hands and a small bucket. So there I was pulling out the last of the slimy stuff, reaching in with my hands and bucket to scoop debris when something moved in my hand. Of course my brain didn’t believe what my hand just told it so I reached in again. This time, my hands, eyes and brain connect in shocked surprise and warning as a huge bullfrog jumped up at me. “YIKES!!!” I fell back, tripping on a rock and landing in the slim I just removed. Looking like Swamp Thing and smelling worse than two weeks of my son’s laundry during basketball season I quickly assessed physical damage before looking to see if any Stopper-Inners have seen my “graceful” leap frog moment. Lucky for me no one had. An hour later, the system was ready to be turned on and adjusted. I ran into the garage to plug everything in then out to watch. Pump #1 – all systems are a go. Water is over the 1st waterfall flowing nicely into pond #2 and yes running into pond #3. “Oop’s, there’s a problems with the fountain. I’ll just make a quick adjustment….” ZAP…. POW….. “AAAHHHEEEEEE”… SPLAT! “WHAT HAPPENED?” I tried and process what happened from my prone position AGAIN in the slime. “Oh no, you fool, you forgot about the short in the wire and just zapped yourself when you stuck
your hand in the water to fix the fountain. That’s going to hurt tomorrow”, I thought as I rolled over in an attempt to stand up. This time my fish flop moment was seen by Stopper-Inners. However, luck remains on my side as they are Out-Of-Towners looking for the cheese. To their credit they don’t ask about what they just witnessed, perhaps because the pond slime aroma arrived a little ahead of me abbreviating our conversation. By the way, the electrical short in the water is intentional. It helps to keep bears, blue herons and raccoons from plucking the fish out. In spite of my Swamp Thing appearance and smell I believe day one of spring clean-up has progressed nicely. I managed to keep Y.A.D.D. distractions to a minimum and enjoyed a steady stream of Stopper-Inners. Apparently a lot has been going over the winter that I didn’t know about. A little … okay a LOT sore and weary I pushed my tools into the shed bidding them good night. Next weekend I’ll finish the spring cleaning then let the Y.A.D.D. loose to see what projects can be dreamed up. Happy gardening my fellow dirt loving friends!
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By Enrique J. Alvarez, The Retirement Doctor®, Suffield, CT
Question:
With the interest rates at the banks so low, where can I get interest and still have my money being safe? Sharon M..
Answer:
Money in the bank is safe up to the FDIC limit with regards to getting your principle back. However, you have the risk of losing purchasing power if the interest you receive does not keep up with inflation after you have paid taxes. Remember, inflation is a real number. If inflation is 4%, the value of your bank account goes down by 4%. However, if the bank pays you 4% interest that will be divided between the federal government, state government and you keep what’s left after taxes. The following chart shows how much interest you need to earn to break even for your money in the bank to have the same purchasing power after you pay taxes and adjusted for inflation.
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SOUTHWOODS MAGAZINE April 2013
Assuming 4% Inflation Interest Required to Break Even 15% Tax Bracket 4.7% 25% Tax Bracket 5.3% 35% Tax Bracket 6.2% If your bank is not paying you at least the interest required to break even, you are losing purchasing power on your deposit in the bank. The other insured accounts are fixed annuities which are backed by the assets of the underlying insurance company and some states may have a guarantee fund in the event that the insurance company defaults. In today’s interest rate environment I would not recommend a fixed annuity if it has a surrender charge for longer than two years. The reason for this is if interest rates rose and you purchased an annuity with a surrender charge to be able to take advantage of the higher interest rates you would have to surrender or exchange the annuity and incur the surrender charges which could wipe out the interest that you have previously earned. If the surrender charge was large enough, you could also lose some of your principal. Government bonds are backed by the issuing governmental agency, federal, state or municipal. The value of the bond will be determined by the maturity of the bond, interest rate and the ability of the agency to meet its obligations. Recently came across a specific bond issued by a county that was used to build a prison. This bond had a 10% coupon but the payments were based upon the ability of Detroit to be able to meet its financial obligations!!! Corporate bonds are backed by the assets of the corporation and its ability to meet its obligations. The value of the bond will be determined by the maturity of the bond and interest rates. There are numerous other financial products that are used to generate income. We do not have space in this column to go over all of them. If you would like to learn more about the risks and returns associated with different products, feel free to contact us. Because each individual’s situation is unique, please speak with your financial advisor with any questions or concerns. Or, you may reach the Retirement Doctor at eja@retirementdoctor.com or 1-800-406-1595. Securities offered through Cambridge Investment Research, Inc., a Broker/Dealer, Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment Advisor Representative, Retirement Doctor, LLC, a Registered Investment Advisor. Cambridge and Retirement Doctor, LLC are not affiliated.
VOTE MAY
14
Marcus Phelps for Southwick Selectman AN INDEPENDENT VOICE A RELIABLE CHOICE
By Phil Pothier
The snow is finally melting on the lawn, And very soon the winter will be gone! About this time of year there’s something deep inside That makes me want to start to work outside. Each year I vow that last year was the last, But then, last year is clearly in the past. And so as spring arrives my old resolve will fade, I’ll go into the barn and grab my spade! Sometimes I start in time to plant some peas, When they arrive it’s something sure to please. But lately I just haven’t got the energy I guess I’m not the man I used to be! But just about the second week in May The sun is shining brightly every day, Out comes the rototiller and away I go! I first prepare the ground, and then I sow. I soon see tiny green things springing through, And then I’m glad I planted, wouldn’t you? It always seems a long, long time I have to wait! But when the food is done it just seems great! So, year by year I try to carry on Although sometimes I do feel put upon! I guess by now I take the whole thing quite for granted, I won’t stop until it’s me they’ve planted!
BACKGROUND • Phelps family has lived in Southwick for 5 generations • Grew up on Congamond Road and attended local schools • Graduated from Westfield High School in 1962 • Bachelor of Science degree from UMASS in 1968 • Master of Regional Planning degree from U of Penn in 1995
EXPERIENCE • Enlisted in the US Naval Reserve in 1968, served on active duty as a naval officer during the Vietnam Conflict and was stationed on the USS Kearsarge (CVS-33) and the USS Cacapon (AO-52) until 1972 • Completed a 33-year career in the USDA Forest Service in 2004 with various assignments as a forester, environmental coordinator, technology transfer specialist, budget coordinator, forest resource planner and urban forestry program manager • Served in 2005 and 2006 as a member of the Conservation Commission to conserve and protect natural resources in the Town of Southwick • Appointed as Town Planner in 2007 and provided staff assistance to the Planning Board for 5 years to implement local bylaws and guide land development
AS SELECTMAN I PLEDGE TO • Focus on governing the Town and making informed decisions • Advocate responsible fiscal management and spending • Monitor the completion of Whalley Park to benefit all residents • Sustain open space and farmland for future generations • Cooperate with adjoining communities to share services You can contact me at votemphelps@gmail.com or www.marcusphelps.org Paid for by the Elect Marcus Phelps Committee
SOUTHWOODS MAGAZINE April 2013
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By Christy Cox
Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory and Gardens I made a visit to Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory & Gardens this winter. I’ve driven by the place at least once a year for many of the 18 years I’ve been going to the Deerfield Craft Fair... each time thinking to myself that I would love to stop. The closest I had gotten was an ice cream cone at the food court. This year we decided to go for my Mom’s birthday. I’d finally get there and I knew my mom would love it. My husband, daughter and a friend joined us. On our way there my daughter, who’s 22, mentioned that she was excited to be going and so was her friend.
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The perfect “Kodak” moment! Christy, daughter Stephanie and mother Frances enjoy an outing at Magic Wings.
When we arrived and entered the lobby, we had to have our first “Kodak” moment. (Of course I brought my camera!) There is an awesome metal butterfly bench right there, surrounded by tropical flowers. The perfect first picture! We paid our admission price and headed into a room that houses different exhibits and displays, including some interesting bugs and frogs. Next, we headed through a double set of doors to the conservatory. In the hall between the doors we noticed large mirrors on the walls. We later found out the mirrors were to check ourselves for any butterflies that might have decided to go for a ride. Entering the conservatory was a little overwhelming. There were so many butterflies flying around me that I had to take a breath. Naturally, my first instinct was to push them away with my hand, but I had control and didn’t. If I had, I’m
sure I would have been spoken to by one of the many flight attendants throughout the conservatory. I was awestruck by the thousands of butterflies flying around and posing for pictures. As we walked along the paths, we began to notice that so much more than butterfies live in the conservatory. There is a beautiful Koi pond, plants and butterflies all around. There were bird houses and beautiful birds flying around. Throughout the gardens there were many food stations for the butterflies to land and opportunities for me to look at them close up. The highlight of the visit for me was when a butterfly landed on my forehead (and yes, my daughter was able to get a few pictures). Another butterfly also landed on my back and almost blended in with the top I was wearing. I enjoyed taking pictures of the flowers as well, which included a few beautiful dinner plate hibiscus. I found that the more time we spent there the more we noticed, like a turtle and some button quails that crossed our path. The button quails really blend in with their surroundings, so we may have passed many of them before actually noticing them. The wildlife and vegetation is truly a welcome retreat from everyday surroundings. If you haven’t been to Magic Wings I would recommend this magical place as a local destination for any age group. They are open all year round but I think I am going to make a yearly winter visit to enjoy a touch of the tropics when it is so bleak outside. Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory & Gardens is located at 281 Greenfield Road, South Deerfield, MA. Phone number is 413-665-2805 and website is: www.magicwings.com Fall / Winter / Spring Hours (Now until Memorial Day weekend 2013) Are 9 a.m – 5 pm , open 7 days a week. The last admission of the day is sold at 4:30 p.m., but I would strongly suggest leaving yourself at least 2 hours to enjoy what they have to offer. They do have a food court there to get a bite to eat or you can dine at the Monarch Restaurant.
ENGLAND NEWHIMNEY
C WEEPS S
The Place to Call for Complete Chimney Service (413) 568-6488 Bruce Faria & Mark McPherson P.O. Box 2083 • Westfield, MA 01086
Cleaning • Repairing • Rebuilding • Relining • Pointing • Caps • Dampers • Fully Insured • SOUTHWOODS MAGAZINE April 2013
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KINDERGARTEN SCREENING FOR SOUTHWICK-TOLLAND-GRANVILLE CHILDREN
Non-profit news and events for area communities. Please send information by the 20th of the month in order to have it listed in this section. We will print as many listings as space allows. Our usual publication date is within the first week of the month. Send to: Town Crier, Southwoods Magazine, P.O. Box 1106, Southwick, MA 01077, Fax: (413) 569-5325 or email us at magazine@southwoods.info. SOUTHWICK HISTORICAL SOCIETY APRIL DINNER MEETING
The Southwick Historical Society will hold it’s April Dinner Meeting on Thursday the 25 th at 6:30PM. All are welcome to attend this meeting featuring a delicious roast pork dinner. Reservations for the dinner must be made before April 19th by sending a check for $15 per person payable to the Southwick Historical Society and mailed to POBox 323, Southwick, Ma 01077. After dinner Mr. Marty Podskoch will speak about The Civilian Conservation Corps in Connecticut, sharing the history, memories and legacy of the Corps. The program is free to the public after the dinner concludes at 7:30 PM. Please join us at the Christ Church United Methodist, Fellowship hall at 222 College Hwy for a most entertaining evening. For additional information on the Society visit our web sight at www. southwickhistorical society.org or visit us on Facebook.
The Southwick-Tolland-Granville Regional School District Kindergarten Screening for the 2013-2014 school year will be held from Thursday, June 6th through Friday, June 7th, 2013 at Woodland School for Southwick, Tolland and Granville residents. In order to be eligible for Kindergarten, a child must be five years old on or before September 1, 2013. There will be no exceptions to this policy. As required by Special Education Law, Chapter 766, screenings will be conducted in the areas of hearing, vision, speech/language, cognitive and motor skills. All parents having an eligible child should come to the Woodland School office at 80 Powder Mill Road, Southwick, MA to pick up an enrollment packet between now and May 21st. Open enrollment hours are 9:15 am to 2:45 pm. A check off list is included in the packet for your convenience. Once you’ve filled out your paperwork and have the necessary documents (proof of residency, birth certificate, medical, physical) as noted on the check off list, return ALL information to the Woodland School Office. An appointment will be made for you at that time to attend the screening (June 6th & June 7th) to complete the registration process. PLEASE CALL 569-6598 With questions
ALAN L. FERRIGNO ATTORNEY AT LAW 100 Main Street Agawam, MA 01001 (413) 786-9454 Fax: (413) 786-9084 Email: attyferrigno@aol.com
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SOUTHWOODS MAGAZINE April 2013
t
t .
Come Meet the 7th Generation of Saunders - Adeline Elaine at the Antique & Classic Boat Gathering May 4th
y
r
, L
Happy 100th Birthday to Alice Hubert Baiardi
SOUTHWOODS MAGAZINE April 2013
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Rotary offers three scholarships for graduating seniors residing in Southwick
The Southwick Rotary Club is offering three $500 scholarships for year 2013. Two scholarships will be based on academics for students attending an accredited university, college or community college. One scholarship will be based on training for students attending an accredited program for advanced instruction in electrical, plumbing, carpentry, hairdressing, and other specialized training. To be eligible, the candidate must be current year graduating senior from Southwick –Granville-Tolland Regional High School (SGTRHS), or a resident of Southwick and a current year graduating senior from an accredited high school or technical school outside of the Southwick school district, or a graduate of Southwick-Granville-Tolland Regional High School who has delayed their advanced or formal education, but no longer than five years from graduation. An application and guideline is available on the club’s website – www.southwickrotary.org and the guidance department at SGTRHS.. Deadline for application is April 15, 2013.
Spring Book Sale
The Friends of the Southwick Public Library will hold their Spring Book Sale on Fri. April 26, 10am - 5pm and Sat. April 27, 10am -1pm with a Preview for members on Thur. April 25, 5-7pm. (New members may join at the door.) Books and audio visual material may be donated Sat. April 20 10-1pm, Mon. April 22 10-1pm, Tue. Apr. 23, 10-1pm and 5-8pm. All proceeds benefit the Southwick Library. Information call 569-1221.
FISHERMAN’s BREAKFAST
Stop in for Breakfast - Menu - Eggs, French Toast, Sausages, Bacon, Home Fries, Coffee/Hot Cocoa. $8.00 per person. When: April 20, 2013 from 4:30 am - 7:30 am. Bag lunches available for purchase - Sandwich, Chips, Water or Soda. $5.00 per lunch. West Suffield Congregational Church, 1408 Mountain Road, West Suffield, CT 06093. Contact Dave 860-874-5132
All Types of services for The Homeowner & General contractor
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, o
s
RUMMAGE & BAKE SALE
The West Suffield Congregational Church, UCC, will be having it’s Spring Rummage and Bake Sale on Saturday, May 4th, 2013 from 9 AM to 1 PM. There will be articles of all kinds, including clothing, knick-knacks, furniture, household items, books, toys and jewelry. Come early and have the best selection. For more information or if you would like to donate something, please call Carol at 860-653-8090. The church is handicap accessible and is located at the intersection of Mountain Road, Rte 168 and North Grand Street, Rte 187 in the center of West Suffield. Drop off hours are Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, May 1, May 2 and May 3 from 9 am - 3 pm. If pick-up is desired or you have a question contact: Carol 860-653-8090
NSTALL • MAINTAIN DESIGN • I Serving MASS & CONN
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SOUTHWOODS MAGAZINE April 2013
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Tag and Bake Sale
FIREWOOD AVAiLABLE from Troop 114
Troop 114 has firewood available at self service boxes on Powdermill Rd., South Longyard Rd., and Granville Rd. All Monies from the sales have supported uniforms, equipment and summer camp for the past five years. Firewood is sold for $5 per bundle or 5 bundles for $20. The scouts run this operation with their leaders and have learned entrepreneurship, time management, team work, safety, and countless other work ethics and life lessons. Thanks for supporting Southwick Troop 114. For more information about scouting or firewood call Andy 413-348-7650 or Todd 413-222-6885.
Copper Hill United Methodist Church, 27 Copper Hill Road East Granby CT will hold a Tag and Bake Sale on April 13 from 9:00 to 2:00 P.M.
Please Help Us Feed Our Community!
Southwick Food Pantry Items Always Needed: • Pasta • Pasta Sauce • Cereal • Canned Tuna • Peanut Butter & Jelly • Canned or Fresh Fruits & Vegetables Non-perishable food donations can be dropped off at: Southwick Post Office, Southwick Big Y, or Southwick Food Pantry.
All donations are greatly appreciated! For More Info: 413-569-9876
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l 3
TYLER James GRANFIeld TRibute
On April 6, 2013, A Tribute to Tyler James Granfield was held. It was a time to celebrate the life of an inpirational young man. As a boy Tyler was always missing. We usually found him in a tree, hiking in the woods or talking to an elderly group at a party. He was all eyes and ears, learning from nature and from the people he met. Tyler graduated from the Landscape/Horticulture program at WVTHS in 2002. He received a scholarship to go to UMass, Stockbridge Program. He only attended for a year. He said that they couldn’t teach him anything and he couldn’t sit still for the lectures with 300 people. So he worked for Granfield Tree Service. He ran the business with his brother Billy until he decided to start his own business Tyler’s Tree Service in 2005. Tyler bought his house shortly after his twenty-first birthday. It was a perfect place for he and his girlfriend, Tara. His business was booming. He bought all types of equipment which helped him with the last few years of natural disasters. Everything was moving so fast and his rating at the Better Business Bureau A+. Then on March 29, 2012, Tyler was killed in a freak accident while doing a job in an elderly lady’s back yard. This was such an unbelievable shock to our family and to the community. Thousands of people showed their support throughout the sevices and this past year. We are very proud of Tyler for all the awesome memories and for the many people he inspired both young and old. He was a leader amongst his age group. His passion for hunting and nature he shared with many. Thank you for your support during this past year and for your future support. This is what has kept our family going. Sincerely, The Grandfield Family: Kerry, Chris, Billy, Kylee, Chelsea Tyler’s niece, McKayla; nephewss GIO & Enzo Tyler
• Specializing in All Types of General Repair • Latest Diagnostic Equipment • Air Conditioning Specialist
CLARK’S AUTO REPAIR Located at 642 College Highway, Southwick, MA 01077
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Rich Clark SOUTHWOODS MAGAZINE April 2013
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April 2013
Taxes & More Taxes,
This past week the House and Senate Leadership teams released their Transportation Tax Proposal to the tune of $500 Million in new taxes. They included: Increase the Gas tax by 3 Cents, Increase the Cigarette Tax by roughly $1 per pack and several CorpoBy State Representative rate Tax increases. On Wednesday April Nicholas Boldyga 3rd, a showdown ensued on the House Floor. During which time my colleagues and I demonstrated relentless opposition and backed the working-class taxpayers of Massachusetts. We offered several amendments in an attempt to give the public time to review and voice their concerns over the proposed $500 million tax hike. The tax hike was just introduced on Tuesday April 2nd and it’s being rushed through the legislature. The first amendment, proposed a public hearing of the bill before the deadline to file amendments, which was scheduled for two days later on Friday April 5th. Our claims were related to the fact that the public has been given no opportunity to weigh in and legislators have been given almost no opportunity to calculate how this bill will impact the economy and pocketbooks of working-class families in the Commonwealth. The second proposed amendment asked that the filing cutoff for amendments to the $500 million tax bill be extended from Friday April 5th to Monday April 8th, at least giving legislators the weekend to meet and speak with citizens and hear their concerns and opinions about the proposed tax hike. Our third and final amendment called for a Department of Revenue study on the economic impact of the proposed $500 million tax hike. The study would at least provide insight on the impact it will have on the state’s economy and the impact it will have on taxpayers of all income levels. Every amendment we put forward was voted down on a largely partisan vote. This new $500 million tax proposal isn’t scheduled to take effect until 2015, wouldn’t it have been reasonable to allow the public an opportunity to voice their concerns? After all, this will be the third major tax hike in just five years. In 2008, we saw the Business and Cigarette Taxes to the tune of $650 Million and in 2009 the $1 Billion Sales Tax Increase. Please let me know how you feel about the proposed tax hikes. Thank you for allowing me to proudly serve as Your Representative. Please call me with any concerns. My home telephone number is (413) 569-5188. I’m always available! Sincerely,
Nicholas Boldyga State Representative Please visit my website www.NickBoldyga.com
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SUTTON HEATING High Efficiency Home Heating
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ART
GOODS & SERVICES
ART SALE at Studio of carolyn avery. Oil, acrylic & watercolor paintings, from huge to small! View by calling 413-569-0384. Also some crafts & houseplants.
shaw logging & firewood For all your Firewood needs, cutsplit & delivered or Log Truck Loads & 1/2 Log Truck Loads (4cd +) 413-357-8738
GOODS & SERVICES traprock driveways built & repaired. Gravel, loam, fill deliveries. Tractor services, equipment moved, York Rake. Bill Armstrong Trucking. 413357-6407. baseball cards - Old, Mint Condition. Great gift for kids & grandkids for collecting. 1000 cards $20.00 Call 413-998-3248. KEENKUT LANDSCAPING SPRING CLEANUPS, Landscape Design, Mulch Beds, Plantings, New Lawn Installs, Weekly and Bi-weekly mowing, Bobcat service call 413-896-9240 DELREO HOME IMPROVEMENT for all your exterior home improvement needs ROOFING, SIDING, WINDOWS, DOORS, DECKS & GUTTERS extensive references, fully licensed & insured in MA & CT. Call Gary Delcamp 413-569-3733 RING RING AVON CALLING - looking for AVON products for Christmas Gifts contact me Christy Cox by email at: cvcox@comcast. net or call 413-568-8082 evenings. CREATIVE CRITTER CUTS: Southwick, MA. Certified by the National Dog Groomers Association of America. Call for appointment 413-569-0391.
Display Classifieds Starting at $17.11
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Amy Taylor Griffyn
Love, Nana & Papa
GL
BRANDLEN BLADE GRINDER, model 128, 1/2 hp motor, reversible direction switch, with floor stand and extra wheels. Excellent condition $300.00 413357-0066
Gene Griffin 413-357-0066
S
Sharpening Service
Mower Blades, Brush Hog Blades Chipper Blades, Flail Blades Plus Other Types of Blades
MARUYAMA POWER UNIT with extended hedge trimmer attachment and tiller attachment. Older unit with little use, excellent condition $300.00 413357-0066 SYLVANIA DEHUMIDIFIER 65-PT DG Brand new, never used $100.00 call (413) 562-9306
RENTALS
A+ Services
Landscape Construction
AGAWAM - A threee bedroom Townhouse with finished basement. No Pets. $1300.00 Call 569-5557.
Patios • Walls • Walk-ways Small Excavations • Tree Work FULLY INSURED
John Snide Cell: (413) 885-1985 1135 N.Westfield St. Feeding Hill, MA
REAL ESTATE westfield - Condo for sale, Ranch, Private, 2 BR, 2 Baths, Garage, Deck, Basement, Pool, Golf call (413) 210-5215.
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Dr. Thomas Welch 610 College Hwy., Southwick, MA SOUTHWOODS MAGAZINE April 2013
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SOUTHWOODS MAGAZINE April 2013