Balch offers two override vote scenarios
By Trent Levakis tlevakis@thereminder.com
EASTHAMPTON — Superintendent Michelle Balch presented the School Committee with two scenarios the district faces pending the results of the upcoming $6.9 million Proposition 2½ override vote on June 9.
Balch, who made the presentation during the committee’s May 12 meeting, noted that if the override were to fail, it could cost approximately 40 Easthampton Public School teachers and paraeducators their jobs.
“Oftentimes in education, we talk about data and accountability, and we talk about things and say behind every number is a student, and as we head into tonight’s budget conversation, I am very well aware that when we’re talking about numbers, behind those numbers are students, staff, their lives. They’re who we are as a community, and I know that, so when we read off numbers, and we read off the line items, I need everybody to know that we are all thinking about the people behind those numbers and the implications,” said Balch.
The School Committee approved a level-service school budget of $24.9 million in March.
During the May 12 discussion, Balch broke down the two scenarios tied to the result of the override vote. The district would still be looking at cuts of about $922,000 if the override passes. If it fails, however, those cuts would triple, and $2.77 million would need to be removed.
Balch shared that personnel is the biggest bucket, and if the
override vote fails, then $2.5 million would be cut in personnel expenses. She said that with enrollment numbers, including special education students who are still shifting, the specific number of educators that need to be cut is still unconfirmed at this point under both scenarios.
“We have to plan and prepare for both scenarios,” said Balch. “Whether the override passes or not, we still will touch staffing regardless, because we just don’t have any other numbers. We are trimming everywhere possible. We are making cuts anywhere and everywhere possible before they hit the classroom, but there’s just not a lot to cut.”
School Committee Chair Laura Scott said that the Budget Task Force assembled under the direction of Mayor Salem Derby opted not to ask taxpayers for the full amount. Instead, the task force is asking for a $6.9 million override, the minimum that best protects level service across all city departments. Cuts would then come on a drastic level for many departments if the override fails, including slashes to staff, programs and extracurriculars.
The School Committee is set to meet again on May 26 to discuss more specific details regarding numbers, programs, stipends and all other things that will be on the table in the event of an unsuccessful override vote.
Scott explained that the committee and district have already cut as much as they can to keep their initially approved budget at level-services, and they explored all options to avoid reductions in staff and for legally required services.
“Literally anything we can cut that saves a salary or saves a position or saves an academic program has been cut. When we get to $2.77 million [if the override is to fail], we have no other choice, now we’re talking people, now we’re talking personnel,” said Scott. “I just want the public to understand, literally every pen and pencil and subscription, everything has been reviewed.”
Balch said the district must have plans in place if the override is to fail. She shared three different options that described ways the administration could potentially cut staff.
By the meeting’s end, it was clear that Balch and the district will pursue Option A, which she called the most “legally and contractually” clear to those tied to the override vote. This option will notify educators who do not qualify for professional teaching
status that their contract will not be renewed next year. Professional teaching status is a state qualification for educators who have worked for at least three consecutive years in the district. Balch shared that there are about 40 educators in the district without this status.
The notification was set to be sent on May 15, and if the override is to pass, Balch said many of these teachers who can be retained would then be notified of “reasonable assurance” that their contract will be renewed. A reasonable assurance letter is a formal notice from a school indicating that a teacher or school employee is expected to return to work in the same or similar capacity for the next academic term, affecting eligibility for unemployment benefits during breaks.
Easthampton Public Schools Superintendent Michelle Balch breaks down the two budget scenarios the district faces depending on the results of the upcoming June 9 special election override
By Sarah Heinonen sheinonen@thereminder.com
Human trafficking happens in Western Massachusetts. That is the number one message Amber Estelle, deputy COO and clinical director of the YWCA of Western Massachusetts, wants to share.
Estelle has personally worked with about 50 victims of trafficking through a program she ran for the YWCA. To her knowledge, none of the people were trafficked by the same person or group. The program was shuttered due to funding issues, but Estelle said the YWCA sees trafficking victims show up in their shelter program.
In 2024, the latest year for which there is data, the National Human Trafficking Hotline received 288 signals from Massachusetts, 91 of which were from victims or survivors of trafficking. While 68% of victims are trafficked for sex, people can also be trafficked for labor or a combination of the two. About 85% of trafficking victims are women, but men are also trafficked.
Estelle explained that traffick-
ers are drawn to locations where people have disposable income. Such locations include highstakes sporting events, or as Estelle specifically noted, the MGM Springfield casino. She said Interstate 91 offers a corridor for travel between states without checkpoints, as does the passenger rail service through Springfield’s Union Station. These transportation methods make it easier to traffic people without fear of being caught, she said.
Estelle emphasized that not all sex workers choose to participate in that lifestyle. People who are being trafficked are often threatened and sometimes threatened with violence towards their child or other loved ones. Victims may be hesitant to leave because they think they are in love with their exploiter or they are trauma-bonded to other victims.
As part of the program she used to run at the YWCA, Estelle said she separated victims from the geographical area they were trafficked in. This lessened the likelihood of the victim being manipulated into going back to the
situation. Estelle also said stable income is important because financial strain can be a powerful tool for manipulation.
When Estelle asks young people what a human trafficker looks like, she said the answers are usually the same. They assume traffickers look like “thugs” or “drug dealers,” someone who dresses “flashy” and drives an expensive car, Estelle said. However, the truth is that most victims of trafficking are exploited by someone they know.
Many times, traffickers will approach people online, pretending they are the same age and gender. After establishing a rapport and gaining someone’s trust, they will start asking personal questions and eventually get the victim to agree to meet them somewhere.
Traffickers also use other victims to befriend and recruit people, telling them they can make quick money and that “it’s not that bad,” Estelle said. The YWCA evicted a woman from their shelter because she was recruiting other women on behalf of a trafficker. Occasionally, parents with a substance use
disorder will sell their children to traffickers to fund their addiction.
“There’s no one person, no one race or gender. It could be a sweet, little, old lady baking cookies, but she could be a madam,” Estelle said.
Estelle said there are “red flags” to be aware of:
• If they ask a lot of questions or ask personal questions about where someone lives, works or their home life
• If they encourage someone to do something out of their comfort zone
• If they are a love bomber — someone who manipulates another person early in a relationship with over-the-top compliments, lavish gifts or grand gestures. They may want constant attention, pressure someone to move quickly, ignore boundaries or have sudden mood changes, including anger and withdrawal.
Another common tactic is approaching an intended target with talk of being a modeling scout or photographer and trying to get the person to model for them. Es-
telle said this happened to her on a train in California once. She did not go with the person but was later told by a woman at the station to avoid the man because he took her somewhere where she was assaulted. If you cannot easily find information online about the person or alleged business, do not trust them, Estelle said. If someone is approached by a person who says they are being trafficked, Estelle said safety should be the number one priority. Call 911 and get as much information about the person as possible in case they run away. Do not bring the person to your home, she said. Traffickers will sometimes use this tactic to follow a target home. If you must drive them somewhere, go straight to a police station, she said.
The National Human Trafficking Hotline can be contacted by calling 1-888-373-7888, TTY: 711, texting “BEFREE” 233733, emailing help@humantraffickinghotline.org, or using the web chat or online reporting through its website, humantraffickinghotline.org.
Local mother advances to Top 10 in Super Mom Competition
EASTHAMPTON — Mary Ann Hanlon of Easthampton is celebrating another major milestone in Colossal’s Super Mom competition after advancing into the Top 10. With continued public support, Hanlon hopes to move on to the
next round while using the national platform to raise awareness for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, highlight gaps in care for families and ease the financial strain of ongoing medical needs.
Hanlon’s son, Michael, was
adopted from foster care at 2 1/2 years old and has been with the family since his release from the hospital at just two weeks old. His journey has included years of uncertainty, a delayed diagnosis, and persistent efforts to secure the services and supports he needs.
“I am so grateful to everyone who has helped me get this far,” Hanlon said. “Making it into the Top 10 is something I never could have done alone. But the fight isn’t over yet — I still need continued votes to move on to the next round.”
For Hanlon, the competition is about much more than a potential cash prize, magazine feature and family vacation. It is also an opportunity to bring greater attention
to FASD and the barriers families face when trying to access meaningful, long-term support. Because Michael’s diagnosis came later than ideal, finding the right care has been especially difficult.
“Winning would mean so much more than financial relief,” Hanlon said. “It would give me a platform to speak up about FASD and the lack of support available here in Massachusetts. It would also help cover medical appointments and services insurance won’t pay for because there are no providers in Western Massachusetts to serve Michael. Those services are treated as out of network and are often not considered medically necessary, even though they are essential.”
Hanlon says the magazine spread that comes with the prize would be a powerful opportunity
to advocate for families like hers.
“I would love to use that space to bring more light to FASD awareness,” she said. “Michael is not the only child and we are not the only family facing these challenges, and this issue deserves more attention.”
The competition also carries personal significance for Hanlon’s family, who has not taken a vacation together since 2018. The opportunity to win would offer both relief and a chance to create lasting family memories.
Voting continues as the competition moves into the next round, and Hanlon is encouraging supporters to keep voting and sharing her campaign.
To vote for Hanlon, visit: thesupermom.org/2026/ mary-ann-hanlon
“That’s not going to answer all of our problems. It is a start. It will give us a little bit of time, and we need time. I can tell you I know I need time,” said Balch of Option A. Option B would include a blended approach that features a mix of notifying educators of non-renewal and a reduction in force based on need and required programming. Option C would involve implementing a traditional seniority-based reduction-in-force base.
Balch said that the district was in “unprecedented times” and that while this situation was not ideal for anyone, the passing of the override would lead to much less damage comparatively than if it fails.
School Committee members overwhelmingly agreed with Balch taking the approach of Option A and reiterated to the public that this was not an ideal spot to be in, but with the two options tied to the result of the override, there is a better path forward.
“Our teachers are our most valuable asset, we all agree with that. This is an unfathomable decision that we are looking at,” said
School Committee member Linda Markee. “I feel that is the best option right now, and again, none of these are options that are easy for any of us who truly care about public education in Easthampton.” Derby, who also serves on the School Committee as the chair, added that as a former teacher for 25 years, he understands what it’s like to be laid off over district budgeting. He said that this process has been difficult.
“There is a lot of blame to go around ... I can empathize deeply with the experience that people are going through now. For me, option A seems like it’s the cleanest, but none of these options are acceptable,” he said. “I’m working 12-15-hour days every day on, how do I figure out how to minimize the impact of this, regardless of the outcome, of what we’re doing and finding ways to bring revenue and advocate for the city, and again mitigate the damage that not dealing with this sooner has kind of created.”
Member Sam Hunter said that even though there is less of a burden between the two options, the committee was not happy to be faced with any cuts, and the public should know that the passing of the override is a solid option to
City Council prepares Town Lodging property for sale
By Tina Lesniak Correspondent
EASTHAMPTON — At its May 6 meeting, the Easthampton City Council voted to declare the Town Lodging property at 75 Oliver St. surplus property and finalized a request for proposals for potential buyers.
After continuing the public hearing on the item from its April 22 meeting, the council voted unanimously to move along with the process of finding a suitable buyer for the property — a challenge because the property has three deed
restrictions on it: historical preservation, affordable housing,and agricultural.
During the public comment portion of the hearing, many residents came forward to express their frustration with the current state of the property, particularly the actual lodge, which has fallen into significant disrepair over the last several years.
“The city did not maintain its responsibility to that house,” said Cathy Wauczinski, an Easthampton resident.
Michael Owens, the city’s procurement officer, laid out
how much money the city has invested in the property over the years, including a new roof 30 years ago, an archaeological dig to see what was on the land and other minor projects. Most of those funds came from grants or Community Preservation Act funds.
Councilor Thomas Peake noted that it’s “valid for people to be frustrated over the condition. Most of us probably are frustrated by that.”
Several councilors noted that the city doesn’t have the funds to take care of the property the way it needs to be cared for.
Previous studies have noted that the property would need nearly $1.5 million in renovations to bring it up to code and functional again. Peake explained that it’s a really complicated situation because the renovations would be expensive due to the historical preservation restrictions, but he said the city would also need to make it affordable to future residents because of the affordable housing restriction.
Council President Koni Denham remembered when the property was a palace of refuge for people. She expressed a de-
sire “to do right by that place,” while also saying that the city doesn’t have that capacity.
The approved request for proposal would require information about the plans for the property, staying consistent with the deed restrictions, as well as looking at the method of financing and timing for any projects. The City Council will have the ability to accept or reject any proposals. Although several residents said that they were hearing there were proposals already, Denham reiterated that the city has not even put out that request yet.
Farmers’ Market once again highlights regional agriculture
By Trent Levakis tlevakis@thereminder.com
EASTHAMPTON — A local staple that meets the needs of the community through a farm-focused lens is ready for another scorching summer season. The Easthampton Farmers’ Market returns for the summer market season on Sunday, May 24, and will take place every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. until Oct. 11 at the City Hall parking lot.
The market promotes regional agriculture to ensure a continuing supply of fresh, local produce in Easthampton. Its main purpose is to support farmers and preserve farmland for future generations by providing regional, small family farmers with opportunities to sell their fruits, vegetables and other farm products.
The other goal is to provide
a weekly, seasonal community gathering space that centers around agriculture, fresh food and sustainability, something the market has accomplished for the last 18 years in various fashions.
Market Manager Julia Zegarra is entering her second summer as manager and told Reminder Publishing the market is set for another packed summer season, offering the community quality
foods and products from farmers and makers from all over the Pioneer Valley and Western Massachusetts. “We have about 45 vendors that will be coming, and about
half of those will be full-time. Most of the full-time people are going to be offering vegetables, fruits; [there are] people sell-
Farmers’ Market.
Photo credit: Easthampton Farmers’ Market
Operations Director: Curtis Panlilio
Executive Editor: Chris Maza
Managing Editors: Dennis Hackett, Ryan Feyre
Staff Writers: Sarah Heinonen, Deb Gardner, Amy Porter, Trent Levakis, Cliff Clark, Tyler Garnet, Peter Tuohy
Graphic Design Manager: Beth Thurber
Graphic Design Department: Leigh Catchepaugh, Lorie Perry, Sophia McClellan, Susan Bartlett, Jim Johnson-Corwin, Molly Arnio
Sales Manager: Scott Greene
Account Executives:
Matt Mahaney, Paula Dimauro, Lisa Nolan, Jeanette Grenier, Paul Poutre, Andy Shaw, Laura Tassistro
Classified Account Managers: Roxanne Miller-Longtin, Evan Marcyoniak, Shannon Spada
Sales Support: Carolyn Napolitan
Financial Department: Nancy Banning
Circulation Department: Nate Halla
Center for the Arts makes call for Banner Project
By Trent Levakis tlevakis@thereminder.com
NORTHAMPTON — Several months after the initial Main Street project, the city is looking to continue the Northampton Banner Project by welcoming another round of artwork from talented artists across the region.
The Northampton Center for the Arts, the organization spearheading this initiative, is asking artists to submit designs across various mediums by May 30, and a donation of $5 to $50 per submission.
Multiple submissions are welcome, according to the NCFA website, and a total of 40 images will be displayed on 20 vibrant banners along the city this summer. The project is a fundraiser for the Barn Door Gallery at 33 Hawley, according to the NCFA. Joie Gonzalez, the NCFA gallery
By Trent Levakis tlevakis@thereminder.com
NORTHAMPTON — The License Commission will hold a lottery for Northampton’s remaining on-premise all-alcohol liquor license in what the city is calling a special opportunity for businesses in Northampton.
The lottery will take place at the Wednesday, July 22 meeting of the Northampton License
associate, explained that the Center for the Arts has a very clear mission statement and values that align with the gallery, as the space has allowed local artists of all ages to showcase their work.
“The Barn Door Gallery is something that the NCFA has stewarded since the full opening of 33 Hawley in 2024. Part of what the gallery does is represent our diverse community. We make sure that we are inclusive of all our community members regardless of age, academic status in the arts, accomplishments, whether they’ve been doing visual arts for a long time or they’ve recently come into the arts, and so this gallery space really kind of holds and fosters continued growth in the arts,” said Gonzalez. “The funds for this will help us continue in this mission and continue to help us grow, and, like I said, it’s relatively young, and so this kind
Commission, and businesses have until the close of business on Friday, July 17, to submit a letter of intent to be eligible for inclusion in the lottery.
“This one is open to anybody who has a signed lease. They [the License Commission] really wanted it to open it up to anybody, not just existing wine and malt holders in the city,” explained Mayoral Operations Manager Annie Lesko.
of just helps us continue to sustain the space, continue doing the work we’re doing, and continue to support folks that have never exhibited before.”
The banner projects have been made possible through the support and vision of Craig Stevens of LandScapes Inc., a dedicated design and build landscape company working in Western Massachusetts for the past 25-plus years. Stevens has been a supporter of the Northampton Center for the Arts and the community, working with residents and recovery clients to build sustainable landscaping projects.
“Truly, this is a vision of Craig Stevens from LandScapes Inc. He’s a wonderful community member who has always had a passion for helping Northampton beautify and grown and a big supporter of the arts, so he came to the Northampton Center for
The letter of intent must include and attest to the following:
• A commitment to being open a minimum of three days per week
• Proof of a signed lease
A commitment to exercise the liquor license within 90 days of approval by the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission
• Confirmation that you have not had any prior liquor license revoked by the Northampton License Commission
Letters of intent can be sent via email to Lesko at alesko@ northamptonma.gov by the July 17 deadline.
Oftentimes, businesses can privately sell the rights to their liquor licenses on the open market, which then can go for tens of thousands of dollars, according to the city.
In the case of the July meeting, the commission will issue the available license through the lottery. The business that wins the license through the lottery will still have to pay the annual renewal fee of $2,259 as well as an application fee to the city and the state’s Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission. The business would still have to pay legal notice fees at a total less than if the license were to be bought through a private party.
the Arts with this concept,” said Gonzalez. “There had been some posts in downtown Northampton that had not had any art or banners for a while, so he had this brilliant idea of collaborating with local arts organizations and local artists to kind of add some color, add some vibrancy, and I’m very glad that one of my co-directors, Kelly Silliman, said yes.” Stevens has also collaborated with colleagues who donated the large River Birch downtown pots, supported the Habitat for Humanity and Hairston Recovery House, and organized community events throughout Northampton. Gonzalez said last year’s banner project strictly focused on Main Street, and in total, the city collaborated with 50 different artists on the project. This year’s banner project will add 20 new
The license will be awarded to a business through a ping-pong ball-style lottery. Lesko said the license brings great value to businesses that need it.
“We have an old school bingo machine that the city clerk has, and we use ping pong balls and number them with however many people apply, and then we choose a neutral party to pick one out of the little spinner,” said Lesko.
The license available through the lottery is the one from the Bishop’s Lounge, which went out of business last year. Bishop’s was unable to transfer the license to a new location, which is why its rights went back to the city. In total, the city of Northampton has 45 on-premise all-alcohol liquor licenses across the city, as well as 19 for on-premise wine and malt, five special licenses and 17 off-premise licenses.
“It’s a great opportunity. This is the first time in my time that the commission has opened it up to anybody, so we could attract a great new business and/or we could fill a vacant storefront that, as we know, we have many of,” said Lesko. “I’m talking to the chamber, the Downtown Northampton Association, and sending this to landlords and realtors, so as much as we can get the word out, the better.”
Photo credit: Northampton Center for the
Benefit concert to showcase young musical talent
By Trent Levakis tlevakis@thereminder.com
NORTHAMPTON — A staple concert that doubles as a conduit for a good cause is coming back at the end of the month. The fifth annual Bow Bow Bash returns Friday, May 29, at 7 p.m. at the Iron Horse Music Hall for another year of the high-energy benefit concert dedicated to raising funds for the J. Scott Brandon Music Scholarship.
The night of music, community and impact fuels the musical dreams of local high school students, while featuring a lineup of Northampton High School’s most talented bands, ensembles and soloists, according to organizers. This year’s acts include The Jackson Briggs-Nine, Mr. Saturn, Fundamental Frequencies, Avis Vomens, Road to Dalton, Quintastic, Nightshade, Bonz, Trust Fall and La Peste.
The J. Scott Brandon Music Scholarship Fund was created to break down financial barriers and provide Northampton High School students with weekly music lessons at a local music school, Downtown Sounds or Northampton Community Music School. It
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work out of the jam.
“I just want to make it really clear because I’ve heard some conversation in various places, ‘Why aren’t you offering a middle option?’ This is the middle option. Offering a middle option in other communities did not work. This is the middle option; this is the compromise. We’re cutting $900,00 from a [level service] budget,”
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ing bread. We have a coffee guy who will be there every week and makes amazing coffee drinks. Several farms and a couple of bakers,” said Zegarra.
The farm-focused market features vendors who grow, raise, produce and create products themselves, or provide unique products that represent other local farmers. Some of the farms featured this year include Whately’s Lombrico Farm, Dave’s Natural Garden from Granby, Little Light Farm from Amherst and Chicopee’s Nightjar Farm. Also featured this year is Mayval Farm offering milk, cheese and
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banners around downtown to supplement what already exists on Main Street.
“Everyone had wonderful things to say and loved seeing their work. We got such wonderful images of the artists in front of their banner, just posting on social media. There was so much joy from this initial project, so when Craig came to us this year saying there’s some additional spaces that we hadn’t utilized last year and that he’d be interested in doing it again, we immediately said yes,” added Gonzalez. Gonzalez said that NCFA will not be repeating artists from last year in an effort to make sure a fair chance is given to all local artists
also provides instrument supplies to help students hone their craft, and facilitates a supportive, inclusive music community where talent thrives, no matter a student’s financial background.
Northampton Arts Council Arts Events Producer Steve Sanderson is the founder behind the scholarship program and said he started it in memory of his best friend and bandmate, the bass player for the Drunk Stuntmen. Brandon’s nickname was “Bow Bow,” according to Sanderson.
“When you find music in school, whether it be through a theatrical musical, through chamber choir, through a singing group, through a band, through any sort of music, you find a family. And high school can be incredibly alienating. I literally was skipping class because I just wasn’t a good student. I found myself in the band room, and I found my family. And Bow Bow, he was doing the same thing,” Sanderson said with a laugh.
“And we found each other, and through that. I climbed back up with my grades and ended up finishing high school. I won’t say I did great, but I finished it. Having a family and having a place
said Hunter.
Before the discussion, public comment was dominated by Easthampton Public School staff and students, as well as a couple of members of the public, who voiced their support for the override. Many spoke about how its failure would create instability in the schools. Walter Baker, student representative for the School Committee and president of the Easthampton High School Student Council, talked about the gravity of cutting programs, elec-
beef options. Underline Farm will also return to provide its signature chicken and eggs.
Zegarra said people can find the full list of participating vendors each week by signing up for the market newsletter. A link to that sign-up can be found at easthamptonmarket.com/vendors-products.
“We’ve got a ton of people, so it’s going to be busy, but it’s going to be great,” said Zegarra. “People just like having easy access to local farmers because you don’t get that in a grocery store.”
The market also seeks to assist those facing food insecurity by working with local organizations and seeking out produce vendors who accept SNAP and HIP.
The market is currently HIP-approved and can assist SNAP re-
who want their work on display.
Anyone is encouraged to take part in the vibrant project that celebrates creativity and community spirit. For more information and to apply, visit nohoarts.org/ bdg-bannerproject-call. The new round of banners is expected to go up sometime in June.
“Truly, anyone is welcome to submit whatever they’ve got. We are excited to see it all. We want diversity and variation and to just continue that in the work of the folks represented in the banners,” said Gonzalez. “Something I want to make sure is very clear to folks is that this is not limited to folks who live in Northampton. Something that we do is try to represent quite a bit of Western Mass., so it’s just a great way to get folks in and get folks excited.”
where you feel like you belong is really, really important, and that’s exactly why I love seeing the JSB fund help kids get comfortable, learn new instruments. It’s a great way to remember Bow Bow.”
Sanderson said it has been great to see the growth of the Bow Bow Bash over time. He added that the community’s support for the fundraiser is indicative of the valley promoting and uplifting access to the arts.
Co-producing the event is Northampton High School senior Ruby Ferrari, the current student intern for the Northampton Arts Council. The internship opportunity for one NHS senior each year started in conjunction with the founding of the Bow Bow Bash and JBS fund. The goal is for the student to produce the Bow Bow Bash alongside the Northampton Arts Council.
Ferrari told Reminder Publishing that she first experienced the event during its second year and has performed at the event each of the last two years with a band of her own. These experiences inspired Ferrari to intern this year and help remove barriers for students looking for music education.
tives, clubs, sports, arts and other extracurriculars.
“While those things may be labeled as ‘nonessential,’ I can tell you that as a student, they’re absolutely essential to the experience that students have in our schools,” said Baker.
Resident Alice Barber, who has been a psychotherapist for children for 30 years, spoke about how the override’s failure would impact the everyday life of students.
“I know two things for certain: one, that children who have expe-
cipients with HIP benefits. Additionally, the market offers a SNAP-match program where they match $10 of a recipient’s SNAP funds each week.
“The match is great because it lets people get more food than they would be able to otherwise. It also lets farmers sell their food. If a package of chicken costs $15, but you only have $10 left on your card, we’ll still match it, and you can buy the chicken or buy the apples or whatever you want to buy,” explained Zegarra. “It helps everybody, the farmers and the customers, and people really like that. We probably get about 25 or 30 people a week doing the SNAP match, and it’s great. It helps them a lot. Plus, that way farmers don’t have to worry about signing up for SNAP.”
“I asked Steve about the internship a year early when I was going to be a junior because I heard about the opportunity and was so excited, I had to jump on it,” said Ferrari. “I’ve always played with bands and loved doing that, and doing it as a variety show with so many other student bands was super appealing to me as an underclassman. It’s such a great opportunity, you can perform multiple times with multiple bands. There’s so much that happens, it’s really great.”
The concert fundraiser also serves as a look into the future talent crop of local musicians, and through the JBS fund, students gain access to opportunities in music that might otherwise not be possible.
“I’ve seen it happen tons of times with a lot of my classmates. I’ve seen people provided with instruments that they wouldn’t have been able to play at all otherwise. A friend of mine took vocal lessons through it and then joined the NHS musical the next year,” said Ferrari. “People learn instruments they would never have been able to play, and they’re able to join band and chorus, and the musical, and all these
rienced such things [trauma] heal in community, not by themselves, and two, that public schools for all of their shortcomings save lives by being that community,” Barber added.
Jason Omar Rodriguez, a paraeducator at Easthampton High School, added, “The right to a quality education is not a privilege; it is a universal principle. Therefore, I’m asking everyone who is listening to vote yes for the override for the sake of our students, for the sake of those who
She said people will have the option to refill products like dried beans, rice, and other pantry staple items, and attendees of the market can bring their own 16-ounce mason jar for easy refills of certain items offered by some of the farms. Live music and other artisan vendors and makers will also be on site each week, as well as food trucks for the bulk of the season.
Zegarra said the market has blossomed into a beloved staple in the Easthampton community due to the great variety of local, organic and trusted options offered each year by farmers. She said the team that organizes the event is proud to carry on this annual market for the community.
“I’m a pretty introverted person, so being the market manager
great things at the high school because of it. I think it’s a really great opportunity.”
Sanderson said that the musical is evident in this year’s lineup, and the event itself has created a healthy system for young musicians in the community.
“I think we’ve noticed from the creative side; people are writing more intricate music, which may have something to do with having access to lessons, and the music seems more diverse this year. It seems like there’s different styles of music this year,” said Sanderson. “It kind of goes with trends. It goes with what people are interested in this year, what are they influenced by? So, I think you’re going to find this year’s show even more diverse than last year.”
To learn more about this year’s Bow Bow Bash and the J. Scott Brandon grant fund, visit northamptonartscouncil.org.
“I think it’s such an incredible legacy to be the face of this fundraiser that helps so many kids in Northampton, and I see it over and over again. I just think it’s so wonderful, and I love it a lot,” Ferrari added on the legacy of Brandon.
are going to come afterwards. We have a wonderful opportunity to give these students a chance to have a quality education, and I want to see it continue.”
The special election to vote on the override will come on June 9, and the City Council is planning to vote on a final budget following those results at its June 17 meeting.
A full recording of the May 12 School Committee meeting and discussion is available on the Easthampton Media YouTube channel.
has made me become more outgoing, and getting to know people has been great. Even though I’ve lived in Easthampton for 10 years, I don’t feel like I know that many people, so for me personally, it’s been great for that,” said Zegarra. “Just hearing people stopping by the market manager tent and go, ‘this is such a great market, we love it, we love coming,’ and vendors telling me the same thing, I think it’s great to feel like you’re making a difference in the place where you live, and I think our board of directors feels the same way about it. It’s great to be able to connect people with local produce. It just makes you feel warm and fuzzy.”
For more information on the Easthampton Farmers’ Market, visit easthamptonmarket.com.
TheReminder.com
Every week we will provide you with a complete listings of deaths from the preceding week from throughout Greater Springfield. We are doing this as a convenience to our readers in case you miss an obit in the daily paper. We hope you find this useful and that you will refer to it weekly.
EASTHAMPTON
Michal Abramek
Leonard L. Couchon
Robert Pinkos
LEEDS
Adele Barkowski
NORTHAMPTON
Carol J. Bevan-Bogart
Lisa Reznikiewicz
SOUTH HADLEY
Karen Adams
James W. Armstrong Jr.
SOUTHAMPTON
Claire A. Paquette
Joseph Stahl
NORTHAMPTON VS POPE FRANCIS SOFTBALL
On May 11, the Northampton Blue Devils delivered a dominant performance over Pope Francis Prep, winning 9-2.
REMINDER SPORTS PHOTOS TAKEN BY SAM BLAKE
Centerfielder Sadie Muszynski throws the ball into the infield.
Left fielder Emily Kajka fields the ball and throws the ball into the cutout man.
Abigail Rosario gets the ball and throws it to third base to try and get the runner out.
Jayda Alejandro dusts off her jersey as she successfully slides into second base.
Greta Lepore throws a pitch to the batter during the game against Pope Francis.
Jayda Alejandro hits the ball to the outfield and reaches base safely.
Rosie Simmons catches the throw from the pitcher for an out.
#15 Jayda Alejandro high fives her teammate #5 Sadie Muszynski after she scores a run.
Catcher #22 Talia Garretson tags the runner trying to score.
#20 Avery Hicks catches the ball for the force out at second.
Alex Van Stee leads off of first base and watches the ball go to the catcher.
Talia Garretson rounds second base while looking at her third base coach and reaches third.
DINING ENTERTAINMENT
Paradise City Arts Festival returns
By Trent Levakis tlevakis@thereminder.com
NORTHAMPTON — The nation’s premier destination for lovers of the handmade and high-end is once again gracing the region over Memorial Day weekend. Paradise City Arts Festival will return to the Three County Fairgrounds at the end of this month for another three-day stretch that celebrates creativity in multiple facets.
The festival, which runs from May 23-25, will feature 200plus world-class artists and makers traveling from every corner of the country to showcase their craft. The premier showcase features contemporary craft and fine art, including handmade home décor, sculpture, fashion, jewelry and more.
“Jeff and Linda Post originally founded the show in 1995, and we have been going in Northampton as well as across New England, Pennsylvania, Florida. They launched shows all over the east coast,” Show Director Mariah Swanson told Reminder Publishing. “What was so innovative about this particular kind of art fair is it put fine craft on the same pedestal that fine art was being viewed from at that point, so it’s taking the best of the best from around the
country across all these different kinds of mediums. It’s fine art and photography, but it’s also ceramics, it’s mixed media, it’s sculpture, it’s wearables, it’s jewelry, and this is an opportunity to see 200 artists who are just the best at what they do at this premium kind of quality. You get to meet the artists and hear their stories, learn about their process, and just be face-to-face, which is becoming just as important as it ever was, especially in this digital era, so it’s really celebrating the craft of the human hand.”
Swanson said that this year feels particularly electric because there are more new faces. The weekend show is designed to be a full-scale cultural affair, and whether you are a serious collector or a family looking for a memorable afternoon, there is a rhythm to the weekend that invites everyone to stay and play.
“We’re in this really kind of unique position, similar to how music has been so successful in Northampton, where we seem to be in this smaller community in Western Massachusetts but it’s able to attract people from New York, from Boston, an incredible amount of very high cultural intellectuals who want to be able to collect and build on their collections but aren’t necessarily going to be in one of
these large economic hubs,” added Swanson. “It’s just a really beautiful, quaint opportunity to be in this area of the Pioneer Valley and also have exposure to these beautiful hotels, music venues, great restaurants, and where you can make a whole weekend out of it. But it’s really this great destination you can come to for the arts.”
The sensory experience doesn’t just stop at the easel, as nearly a dozen local restaurants and food trucks will be on-site, and the entire festival weekend will feature jazz, blues and folk music from the region’s best bands. On opening night, the festival will feature a headline performance by the indie-pop luminaries Winterpills.
The festival is open each day at 10 a.m. and closes on Saturday at 9 p.m., Sunday at 5 p.m. and Monday at 4 p.m. On Saturday, artists and makers close at 6 p.m., and then the concert begins. Local food and the beer garden will remain open until 8 p.m.
Tickets are $14 in advance, $16 at the gate, and those who are 15 and under can enter for free. Advance tickets can be purchased at festivals.paradisecityarts.com/ shows/northampton-may-show.
New to this year’s festival weekend is the debut of the Emerging Artist Collective, a brand-new
initiative dedicated to fostering the next generation of talent. The collective will allow up to three emerging artists to share a booth and gain exposure during the weekend.
“It’ll be three artists per space and that’s been juried and curated at the same level, and it’s an opportunity to get their foot in the door, get in front of the Paradise City Arts audience and cultivate their career, and also an opportunity for the public to be able to see these incredible emerging artists and get some new faces,” added Swanson.
Attendees are also encouraged to catch the live demonstrations during the weekend like Art in Action, where audiences can watch raw materials transform into masterpieces across multiple mediums. Additionally, attendees can participate in a creative activity called Crafting with Color, which is designed for the whole family.
The Silent Art Auction is also returning this year to again benefit the International Language Institute of Massachusetts. This organization provides free English classes for immigrants and refugees from around the world as they build new lives for themselves and their families.
An array of donations by Paradise City Arts exhibitors will be
available for open bidding each day at the Silent Auction tables, with 100% of proceeds directly supporting International Language Institute of Massachusetts programming.
“Their work is more important than ever right now and really directly impacts anyone who’s relocating to the area trying to grow their life and offer language classes,” Swanson said. Swanson shared that the event is beloved in the community because of the showcase and the communal support for the festival. She said that this festival embodies the passions of each artist and oftentimes serves as their livelihood.
“We want to make it feel welcoming and diverse so that they [artists] feel supported because there’s an incredible amount of talent out there, but they don’t always feel like they have access to these kinds of platforms, and it’s very, very different than selling online,” added Swanson. “We have lots of great new ways of exposing their work and meeting buyers through social media and online, but nothing beats face-to-face because it allows them to get in-the-moment feedback on their work. It’s really valuable in terms of how they continue to choose to make their work and grow their career.”
A look around last year’s Paradise City Arts Festival.
Photo credit: Paradise City Arts/ Lynne Graves Photography
Gregor G. Giesmann to Gregor G. Giesmann and Jean O. Giesmann, 270 Amherst Road
Daniel W. Long to Celeste P. Long and Rachel L. Chagnon, 81 Gold St.
Lisa M. Lussier to Anton Veretennikov and Inna Veretennikova, 55 North Main St.
Courtney S. Pucel, personal representative, Thomas W. McRae, estate, and Thomas William McRae, estate, to Anna Stewart, 18 Country Lane
CHESTERFIELD
Kristin I. Healy to Kristin I. Healy and Cecilia Healy, 515 Main Road
EASTHAMPTON
Kimberly A. Pisinski to Kimberly A. Pisinski, trustee, and Pisinski Living Trust, 10 Clark Lane
Carolyn J. Orlick to Heather Marie Dameworth, 19 Florence Road
GRANBY
Keith D. Cohen, Allison M. Cohen and Allision M. Carvalho to Keith D. Cohen, 5 Pleasant St. $100
Keith L. Sbriscia and Amanda Sbriscia to Maxim Tischenko, Anastacia Tishchenko and Sergey N. Tishchenko, 6 Jennifer Dr. $420,000 HADLEY
Deborah Levenson to Anne Marie Cardin and Rebecca A. Smith, 14 Hawley Road
Pioneer Valley Rental Management LLC, to Robert
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