HAMPSHIRE COUNTY
JULY 16, 2026 | FREE
Markey, Moulton clash in first debate
By Tyler Garnet tgarnet@thereminder.com
CHICOPEE — U.S. Sen. Ed
Markey and challenger U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton clashed over leadership, policy and experience during their first head-to-head debate on July 8 at the WWLP TV-22 Studios.
The format, which offered voters a preview of the race ahead of the Sept. 1 primary, included a panel of Tony Fay from WWLP, Dave Madsen from Western Mass News, Elizabeth Román from NEPM and Jim Kinney of The Republican-MassLive asking the candidates questions. The debate covered a range of topics, including age and experience, ethics and finances, healthcare, transgender athletes, infrastructure, immigration and the West-East Rail.
Markey, the incumbent, is looking to secure another sixyear term. He was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1976. He has served in the Senate since 2013. If victorious, Markey said this would be his last time running for reelection,
“I need one more term to finish the agenda, this progressive agenda,” Markey stated. “And then I will step down. But we need to complete the agenda. We need Medicare for all, we need a green new deal, we need to make sure that we are fighting for every family who is out there who justifiably feels that they have been left behind.”
Moulton said he thinks the U.S. Senate could use a bit of a tune-up and argued for a new generation of leaders. Moulton is
currently the U.S. Representative for Massachusetts’ Sixth District, which is composed of most of Essex County, including Tewksbury, Lynn and Gloucester.
“A lot of people in Massachusetts feel like they don’t have a voice in politics, and they’re struggling to afford basic needs, and we need a fighter,” Moulton said. “We need someone who’s going to change the playbook, invest in a new generation of the years and start making Democrats win again.”
On the topic of his age and if it could affect his ability to serve the commonwealth, Markey stated, “This is the most energized I’ve ever been. Fighting [President] Donald Trump every single day, fighting his agenda to undermine families all across our country.”
Moulton stated that the focus should not be on Markey’s age but rather on the fact that the playbook has not been working for the last 50 years.
“We need new ideas and a new playbook because a 50-year-old playbook is just not delivering for our country, for Massachusetts,” Moulton stated.
Moulton spoke about his American Affordability Agenda, a comprehensive plan focused on housing, healthcare and education. He said he believes housing, healthcare and education should be human rights.
Markey said he supports Medicare for all and has supported the Millionaires Tax in 2022 that raised $5 billion to pay for education for kids in schools in Massachusetts. He also opposed the defense budget seven months ago, giving $1 billion to conduct the wars in Venezuela and Iran.
“My goal is to continue to fight for every day, to make sure every child has a very strong floor and an unlimited ceiling, and we’re going to need the healthcare and education money in order to accomplish that goal,”
Markey stated.
The topic that caused the most debate between the two candidates was the issue of transgender athletes. The Supreme Court recently upheld state laws in Idaho and West Virginia that ban transgender women and girls from competing in women’s and girls’ sports at public schools and universities.
Fay noted that Moulton publicly condemned the Supreme Court ruling, but in 2024, he was quoted in the New York Times saying that Democrats “spent too much time trying not to offend anyone” and that he wouldn’t want his daughters “getting run over on a playing field by a male or formerly male athletes.”
At the debate, Moulton said he stands with everyone in the LGBTQ community. “I stand with you because I always stood with you. I have seen the pain you
Recount confirms override passed The city confirmed that the $6.9 million override passed during a recount on July 2. Page 3 NORTHAMPTON Theater opportunity centers queer youth A collaboration between two local entities brings theater to queer youth.
U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton (left) and U.S. Sen. Ed Markey (right) talk to reporters after their first debate. Reminder Publishing photos by Tyler Garnet
Two Weeks Notice Brewing Co. taproom to close
By Peter Tuohy ptuohy@thereminder.com
WEST SPRINGFIELD — Two Weeks Notice Brewing Co. has announced final call on its West Springfield taproom as it prepares to stop operations due to rising costs.
In that announcement, the business said it will continue brewing and distributing original beverages.
The brewery opened in 2017 at 110 Bosworth St., followed by the taproom in 2019. The company said in its closure announcement that the taproom will remain open “as long as we have beer left.”
Founder and head brewer Mark Avery began Two Weeks Notice after years of independent brewing in a journey that began on Christmas morning in 2011. The name comes from Avery’s wish to quit his desk job and pursue owning and operating his own brewery.
“It started with a simple homebrew kit that my wife bought me for Christmas after expressing, you know, wanting to homebrew at some point,” Avery said. “As I started brewing more and more at home, I started buying more equipment. A lot of people will say, ‘the bug bit me,’ with brewing and then around 2014, 2015, is when the big boom of breweries started to happen.”
Avery began entering homebrew competitions and winning, bringing the thought into his mind that he could take his craft to the next level.
“It took about two or three
years to get Two Weeks Notice off the ground, we had a hard time finding a spot,” Avery said. “West Springfield actually reached out to us when they knew that we were looking to start a brewery somewhere here in Western Massachusetts. They’ve been great to us. It felt great to have somebody wanting to have a brewery in their town.”
The brewery first sold original canned batches out of a makeshift frame in a garage door before eventually expanding to the taproom in 2019. Avery said he knew he wanted a spot with music and events, and the taproom’s space was perfect for it.
The taproom would go on to put on events like Oktoberfest, St. Patrick’s Day parties, emo nights, open mic nights and wrestling matches. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Avery said sales continued through a drive-through window.
“We kept pushing forward, building events and building a community,” Avery said. “We got a bigger brew system and shifted more into distribution, so then our beer started getting sent all over the state of Massachusetts.”
Avery said it started to become tougher to break even due to utilities, taxes, payroll and the rising cost of raw goods, which led to the difficult decision to close the taproom.
“Since the announcement of closure, we’ve had nothing but an outpouring of support from our community,” Avery said. “I think that shows what Two Weeks Notice meant to a lot of people. It’s a
very unexpected thing to happen because when you’re running a business, you don’t really see it and then you realized how much this place meant to a lot of people and it’s pretty humbling to see.”
He added the taproom’s closure will “hopefully save us on a lot of things and we’ll be able to right the ship on our end” as distribution continues.
“Hopefully someday the taproom reopens, we don’t really know,” Avery said. “We’re not saying that it’s never going to reopen, but we don’t really know with the way the beer industry is now. I wish we all had a crystal ball because I know a lot of people within the industry were waiting for it to turn around again … we’re kind of doing what we can
to keep rolling.”
He said there are too many memories to count, and the regulars have all become family.
“We’ve become so close to so many people,” Avery said. “Good beer isn’t a good business plan, but providing a space that’s warm and loving for people and providing memories is. There’s people who have been commenting on all the posts, talking about their favorite things. I’m eternally grateful for being able to provide events and memories like that for people. That’s something I never really expected when I started homebrewing. I started seeing what it was doing to people and what it was providing for them, that’s always going to be the greatest accomplishment we’ve
ever had here.”
This isn’t the end for Two Weeks Notice, and Avery said the business has always fought back and come out on top during tough times. He said the outpouring of support is “lighting a fire under my butt to right the ship even more and get this place back open for people that have supported us throughout the years.”
“It’s gonna be a very emotional time,” Avery said. “I know a lot of people that are gonna be coming here and there’s gonna be a lot of tears shed and a lot of laughs talking about the past. We hope to continue providing those times eventually at some point … I’m forever grateful to everybody that’s walked through these doors. I’m just very thankful.”
are going through because of this hateful Trump administration.”
Markey claimed that the LGBTQ community has endorsed him in this race and applauded Fay’s question because “after the 2024 election, Congressman Moulton decided that he was going to throw trans kids under the bus, the political bus, and blame them for the loss of the 2024 election.”
Looking at Western Massachusetts specifically, the candidates discussed the highly anticipated West-East Rail, which Markey said he and his colleague, U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, secured $157 million in federal funding for.
Moulton argued that the current proposed speed of the train is too slow, and the funding secured will only pay for “10 miles of rail,” which is not enough to get to Boston.
“No one’s going to ride your train because it’s too slow, and you’ve had 50 years in Washington to get this done, and it’s not done,” Moulton stated. “Meanwhile, the rest of the world is passing us by.”
Moulton argued that if Massachusetts had a high-speed rail between Springfield and Boston, one could get from downtown [Springfield] to downtown [Boston] in 40 minutes, connecting the state and enhancing job opportunities.
The debate also focused on rising healthcare costs and changes to Medicare and Medicaid that are taking place this fall, changes that many say will hurt beneficiaries.
Markey said, “Next year, after we win the majority in the Senate, I will be the chair of the Health Subcommittee in the United States Senate.” He said his first order of business would be to restore all the Medicare cuts, including the $1 trillion that the Trump administration cut from the budget. He also wants to restore the $300 billion from the Affordable Care Act.
“And then we have to go beyond that. We have to double funding for community health centers. We have to double the funding for [National Institutes of Health] research,” Markey said. “In Western Massachusetts, I have stood up and have fought. I have met with all the hospital leaders out here, and we are go-
ing to deliver beginning of January of next year.”
Moulton said he agreed with Markey’s ideas, but stated, “This doesn’t happen by magic. You have to fight to win the majority.”
Both candidates spoke against current immigration laws and agreed that they must continue to fight for those in the minority communities who feel they are under attack.
After the debate, Markey said, “It’s No Kings, it’s indivisible, and I’m a leader of this movement because we have to just have a higher vision for what the Democratic Party stands for, and that’s Medicare, that’s the green new deal, that’s taxing billionaires. That’s not self-enrichment but the enrichment of every family in our country.”
Moulton also provided a final message after the debate. “I thought it was great. It was a clear contrast between a senator who’s been in Washington for 50 years and is very comfortable bending the establishment and the status quo. Talked a lot about the different things that have been tried over the last 50 years, most of which have failed, and in contrast, I’m putting forward new ideas, a new vision, a new generation of leadership, with a simple acknowledgment that the old plans haven’t worked.”
By 4 p.m. on Thursday, July 9, a steady stream of customers was coming into the Two Weeks Notice Brewing Co. taproom to show support.
Reminder Publishing photo by Chris Maza
Easthampton recount confirms $6.9 override passed
By Trent Levakis tlevakis@thereminder.com
EASTHAMPTON — A recount of the Proposition 2 1/2 vote confirmed that the $6.9 million override did indeed pass during Easthampton’s June 9 special election.
The recount took place on July 2 inside the City Council Chambers at 50 Payson Ave.
The final vote tally was 3,3133,079, meaning that the initial outcome of the election remained the same, and the winning margin changed from 239 votes to 234. Unofficial results from the special election originally showed a final vote of 3,312-3,073.
A total of 6,392 ballots were counted during the recount process, including two bank ballots and five under the federal Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act.
The recount, which took six hours, started at noon and lasted into the evening on July 2. More than 30 election workers hand-counted ballots inside the city’s Municipal Building on the second floor, and observers representing the city and those who petitioned for the recount were allowed to view the ballot counting up close, in line with state Election Division rules. Observers could flag an election worker’s interpretation of a ballot, which meant the Board of Registrars reviewed the ballot and made a final determination on it. A total of seven ballots were challenged during the recount, and all of those were determined to be “no” votes.
Cathy Wauczinski, the chair of the Easthampton Republican Committee, said that claims were made that various residents received empty mail-in ballots or didn’t receive any at all leading up to election day, among other alleged claims from the public noted in the recount petition.
Wauczinski, who led the “Vote no” campaign and the effort to collect the signatures that triggered the recount, argued that a recount was necessary to make sure the voting process is fundamentally sound and for transparency in the election process. Representing Easthampton Active Citizens during the recount process was attorney Brian M. Gaff.
“This is just the beginning because the count doesn’t solve the issues. We’ll be looking at what possible follow-up there is,” said Wauczinski after the recount occurred.
The recount petition submitted by Active Citizens and the Republican Committee cited several other concerns around the special election process, including discrepancies between
The decision to hold a recount was approved unanimously by the Board of Registrars during its June 26 meeting. The board’s decision came after a formal effort by members of the Easthampton Active Citizens and Easthampton Republican Committee to trigger a recount was successful. Petitioners gathered at least 10 signatures from registered voters in each of the city’s five precincts, which is required by Mass. General Law for a recount to happen in communities that have precincts and more than 2,500 voters.
the city’s vote totals and what was recorded by the state, claims that some voters were mistakenly denied the opportunity to vote in person, questions on the handling of blank ballots, allegations that mail-in and in-office ballots were not properly secured, and claims that some ballots may have been cast by nonresidents or other ineligible voters.
Wauczinski told Reminder Publishing in the midst of collecting voter signatures to trigger the recount that she tried to report some of these alleged concerns to the Secretary of the Commonwealth Elections Division and was informed by the group that a recount would be necessary to have the state investigate additional concerns, as the recount process itself lies with the municipality.
“I think the biggest reason for the recount is the fact that there are people who are eligible vot-
ers who did not get an opportunity to vote. These individuals raised a concern with me, saying ‘I have no idea if my vote was counted or not,” Wauczinski told Reminder Publishing when in the process of collecting signatures.
“Was anybody denied the opportunity to vote?”
City Clerk Mary Ann Giza confirmed to Reminder Publishing before the recount that there was an error on the city’s part where some mail-in ballots sent out did not include the ballot itself. She said about nine total residents called the clerk’s office to report empty envelopes, and those claims were indeed validated. She added that all residents who called to report they were sent an empty envelope were sent a new mail-in ballot leading to the special election, which is what the process calls for.
For those who claim they never received a ballot, Giza said
that could be because each new year, voters must once again sign up to receive the mail-in ballot.
Giza said the clerk’s office must account for every mailed ballot through a state computer system, the date it was sent and if it was received. If a person claimed they did not receive a ballot, then that is also accounted for, and a new one is sent out to the voter.
Giza said the clerk’s office sent a new ballot to all the voters who reported empty envelopes. The errors that did occur on the city’s end have already been reported to the state, according to Giza. It is estimated that there will be an annual tax increase of about $1,200 to the average Easthampton home, which is valued at $418,000, due to the $6.9 million override. However, the city avoided major cuts, including avoiding the elimination of 35 positions in the school district.
City
Publishing photo by Trent Levakis
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, Holly Mulligan, Whitney Conlon
NORTHAMPTON
Arts organizations launch program for queer youth
By Trent Levakis tlevakis@thereminder.com
NORTHAMPTON — The Academy of Music and the Play Incubation Collective are making a call to the area’s queer youth for a new theater opportunity.
The Brave Space Youth Theater Project is set to come to Northampton this fall, and registration officially opened on July 6. The collaborative effort from the two performing arts organizations is designed specifically for queer-identified youth ages 1318 and will be held on Saturday mornings from Oct. 3 to Nov. 14. A closing performance is set for Monday, Nov. 16, at the Academy of Music.
The collaboration between the Academy and PIC will be an opportunity for local queer youth to amplify collective voices, according to organizers. Participants will be guided during the seven-week workshop through the creation of a devised theater piece by PIC co-founder and instructor Sarah Marcus.
Marcus credited Academy Education Director Kyle Lawrence for initiating the collaboration in an effort to expand youth offerings at the Academy.
“We all had a very similar view about the local arts ecosystem and that we really view it as an opportunity to collaborate, connect, lift each other up, not operate from a scarcity mindset or a competitive place, but the opposite. We’re actually really excited to see, what can we bring to each other? How can we expand the audiences of each of our own organizations by doing things together and just helping
each other?” said Marcus. “We enjoy collaborations, we enjoy getting to try new things, and it seemed like such a perfect match to work on developing a new program with the focus on creating original work for young people.”
Registration for this workshop is only $30 thanks to a generous gift from the Scarlet Sock Foundation. For more information and to register, people can visit aomtheatre.com/brave-space-project/. Space is limited.
For those seeking financial assistance, the Academy of Music Theatre is committed to making these enriching experiences accessible, offering two half-tuition scholarships per session. Families interested in applying for scholarships are encouraged to visit the Financial Aid page on the Academy’s website for more details.
PIC is a local launchpad for new theatrical work that nourishes the community and fosters civic dialogue. Through its different programming, PIC aims to provide developmental opportunities for theater that spark community conversations, while also building a collaborative network of local multidisciplinary artists and supporters in fostering creativity, teamwork and a celebration of the artistic process for artists of all ages.
“I have always been curious about collaborating with the Academy. They’re such a staple of the Northampton arts scene, and we’re so excited about the opportunities to do something together,” said Marcus. “Our mission is really to support the development of brand new work and support the creative process,
and we really do that with all ages because we see the value in giving attention to the early stages of the creative process, because that’s what really allows people to amplify their voice and have a greater impact.”
Lawrence told Reminder Publishing that he wanted to create a program space where he could specifically highlight the voices and experiences of queer-identified children and provide an outlet where they could work and grow their craft.
“If we look at the country as a whole and the world beyond as well, it can still be a very scary time, especially for the youth and especially for queer youth and for those who don’t fit into the norm, the boxes,” Lawrence said. The name of ‘Brave Space,’ we did not make that up. Furthering
from safe space, it’s not just a safe space because sometimes we do need to step out of that comfort of safety a little bit and be brave and bold.”
Marcus said the freedom the youth will have in this program is unique and incredibly valuable for any creator.
“I’ve seen it countless times where that is powerful to a kid, to say your voice matters and you get to be in charge here,” said Marcus. “You’re the writer, the director, and people are going to listen. That’s a rare experience I think that kids don’t usually get because much of their life is directed and dictated to them, so just that change of dynamic of saying you are the creative engines, you are really in charge
Sidewalk Sales returns to Northampton streets July 23
By Trent Levakis tlevakis@thereminder.com
NORTHAMPTON — The Northampton streets will once again be filled with retailers from across the city from July 23-26 for the perennial Sidewalk Sales event. The celebration will give the community another long-weekend of high energy, connection and some local shopping opportunities from the season.
For over five decades, the event has become a highlight of the summer, according to the city, inviting residents and visitors alike to experience downtown Northampton and what makes it unique in full bloom. Businesses extend their storefronts onto the city’s downtown sidewalks, offering rare finds, seasonal discounts and signature pieces that reflect the originality and craft behind each small business.
The Downtown Northampton Retail Committee, an offshoot committee from the Downtown Northampton Association, is organizing the event. Retail Committee member Justin Brown, who also owns Assemble Made + Curated on Main Street, told Reminder Publishing that the event is a chance for retailers to come together and put on an event collectively. He added that the tradition has lasted so long thanks to communal support of the city’s small businesses.
“I think the opportunity for the retailers to sort of support each other and all come together to make this event really successful is important,” said Brown. “I think that for some of the retailers — though it’s a good chance to get rid of your clearance merchandise — for me at least, it’s about the marketing idea about connecting with new people who might come to town. And it’s always
REGISTRATION FOR SOCCER PROGRAMS IS NOW OPEN
NORTHAMPTON — Registration for the Northampton Parks and Recreation Department’s Fall Youth and Quabbin Soccer programs is now open. Youth soccer (preschool to grade 2) will be held on Saturday mornings at Sheldon Field from Sept. 12 to Oct. 25. The registration deadline for youth soccer is Aug. 27. Rec. soccer — grades 3-6 — begins as early as Aug. 31 and runs through Nov. 1. These divisions compete in both home and away games against surrounding communities and participate in one to two weeknight practices each week. The registration deadline for Quabbin Soccer is Aug. 16. For more information, contact the Northampton Parks & Recreation Department at 413-587-1040 or stop by the Parks & Recreation Office at 100A Bridge Road, Florence. Information is also available online at northamptonma.gov/ recreation.
fun to be outside and see folks out of the street. Everybody always has a good time when they’re able to be out on Main Street instead of inside.”
Visitors are encouraged to make a day or a weekend out of Sidewalk Sales. Not only will downtown be filled with extended shopping opportunities, it will also invite visitors to grab a bite to eat at Summer on Strong, catch a show at a local venue, or spend some time exploring the city’s growing network of murals or public art.
Whether it’s discovering a hidden gem or reconnecting with a longtime favorite, Sidewalk Sales is a chance to see downtown Northampton and its business community at its most welcoming and alive, according to organizers.
“I think it’s a good reminder for us all that we’re all in this together, and we’re lucky to be in such a thriving downtown community where all of us can succeed,” said Brown. “This year, we worked really hard. There’s a group of business owners who were on the committee, and we work really hard to get as many folks participating. I think we’re around 34 [businesses participating], which is the most we’ve had in quite a few years.”
Brown credited the increase in participation this year in part to the support of sponsorships, including the city of Northampton, the Chamber of Commerce and Thornes Marketplace. Brown said this event also is valuable in strengthening ties
between the Northampton business community.
“It’s a lot about marketing and connecting with new customers. Harnessing folks who might be coming to town just for this event that they heard about for whatever reason, and then also reconnecting with my regulars and all the locals who also come out to support everybody. It’s a good time to clean out some merchandise, but also connect with folks,” Brown said. “For me a lot of the events that happen downtown like this, I always think of them sort of as like marketing days in a lot of ways. Just trying to introduce people to the store who’ve never been in, talk about what we do, and hopefully make an impression that wants to make them come back again.”
Brown added that the Sidewalk Sales weekend also provides a nice boost to the overall downtown economy, as visitors often naturally end up strolling through the city and stopping at restaurants during their visit.
The event is on rain or shine. To learn more about Sidewalk Sales or to view the merchants participating in this year’s event, visit northamptonsidewalksales.com.
“All the retailers who are involved this year are really excited to have the support from our sponsors and more participation, so I think everybody’s really giving a little bit extra to make sure the event feels exciting and fresh, and there will be lots to do and see with all the stores downtown,” Brown said.
The Academy of Music.
Reminder Publishing file photo
See BRAVE
Glasgow Lands Festival to celebrate the spirit of Scotland for 31st year
By Trent Levakis tlevakis@thereminder.com
NORTHAMPTON — The spirit of Scotland will once again take over Look Park for the 31st annual Glasgow Lands Scottish Festival on Saturday, July 18.
As the only festival of its kind in the state and the second largest in New England, the day-long rain-or-shine celebration offers attendees an immersive journey into Celtic culture through worldclass music, heavy athletics and authentic traditions, according to organizers.
“It’s so rewarding, and every year we worry about so many things, but everything always comes together in the end, and the end result is that we have 5-6,000 people and there is something for everyone. It’s a family event,” festival Chair Peter Langmore told Reminder Publishing
The Glasgow Lands Scottish Festival was founded in 1994 at the Blandford Fairgrounds. Originally intended by its founding committee — which included Langmore — to be a one-time fundraiser to restore the historic White Church in Blandford, the event was so successful that it became an annual tradition that’s lasted over three decades.
The festival’s name honors the history of Blandford itself, which was originally settled in 1735 by Ulster Scots and known as “Glasgow Lands,” or “New Glasgow.” As the event grew, it moved to Stanley Park in Westfield in 1999 before finding its permanent home at Look Park in 2004. According to organizers, it has remained a premier celebration of Scottish arts, supporting local nonprofits and providing scholarships for piping, drumming and dance students.
Festivities will kick off at 9 a.m., and the Ceilidh Tent will be the go-to spot for high-energy Celtic music, continuing all day until the event’s closing at 8:30 p.m. Headliners will include Glasgow-based Albannach, Pipe Dream, and Celtic-rock bands Seven Nations and Haggis x-1. The festival will also feature popup music performed by Young Folk and a performance by the Pioneer Valley Harpers Guild. Grand opening ceremonies are set for 11:30 a.m. and will once again feature over 30 competing pipe bands and nearly 700 pipers and drummers. This year, the festival will once again host the EUSPBA Northeast Branch Amateur Drumming Championships. Also returning will be Irish Dance demonstrations from two local dance academies. Pipers will be
featured in the event’s closing ceremony with their annual performance of “Amazing Grace.”
“At the closing ceremonies, it’s really, really exciting when those bands come out, and then they have the Pipers come out front, and they play ‘Amazing Grace.’ It’s very difficult to not get emotional and get a little teary listening to ‘Amazing Grace’ with those pipers,” said Langmore.
“When they all play together, it is so amazing. It’s a wonderful tradition that we have.”
The festival will offer attendees more authentic Scottish heritage and family fun, including the Highland Games, where “tree-tossing giants” compete in traditional heavy athletics.
There will also be a Stone Lifting Try-It Station, where attendees of any age can challenge themselves by attempting to lift different weighted stones in a test of strength. One stone, all the way from Glasgow and weighing 266 pounds, will offer one of the toughest challenges at the festival. Plans are to secure a heavy stone from Blanford and have it on site at the festival as their very own version of the rock and cultural connection.
Langmore added that these “gentle giants” are deeply tied to Scottish culture and bring great entertainment for all attendees.
“They [these games] exist because, historically, the clans in Scotland; they fought, if you know enough about history. Each clan had a chief, so somebody
had to fight for him and protect him. The one who would do the best in the ultimate strength test would become the chief’s protector,” said Langmore. “The athletes absolutely love Glasgow Lands. Everybody loves it.”
Attendees will also experience living history by exploring the historic Highlanders encampment, watching sheep herding demonstrations, and learning from the Weaver’s Guild of Springfield. For those looking to learn more about the Scottish ancestry or their own, onsite genealogists and clan representatives will be on site to help trace family trees.
Throughout the day, guests can enjoy the live shows while quenching their thirst at the Celtic Pub, which features local microbrews from New City Brewery, and Wine and Mead. Another
option will be a curated Whisky tasting presented by The Whisky Pirate. Tickets for this specific portion of the festival can be purchased at glasgowlands.org.
The food onsite will reflect a taste of Scotland, including a smorgasbord of authentic bridies, meat pies, scones and shortbread.
According to organizers, a dedicated “Kids’ Corner” will offer a space for children for athletic games and access to the Look Park water spray park during the festival.
Funds raised during the event will support River Valley Counseling Center and the Forum House, a service of Viability Inc.
The former provides vital mental health services to children and adults in Hampden County, while Forum House supports disabled and disadvantaged adults in
Western Mass.
“I don’t think there are very many nonprofit organizations in this area who are able to donate $40,000-43,000 to other nonprofits,” Langmore said.
He added that it feels rewarding to give back to these community partners through the Scottish festival and said he hopes to see another great turnout for this year’s celebration.
“When I’m able to stand up there at closing ceremonies, and thank everybody, and then have those pipe bands play ‘Amazing Grace,’ that’s just rewarding,” Langmore said. “There’s so much going on that it’s hard to explain. You have to experience it.”
For more information on this year’s Glasgow Lands Festival, its history, or to purchase tickets, visit glasgowlands.org.
Photo credit: Glasgow Lands Scottish Festival
SOUTHAMPTON VS WESTFIELD
BASEBALL
The Southampton 10U All-Star baseball team fell to Westfield, 12–1, on July 1 at Conant Field in Southampton.
REMINDER SPORTS PHOTOS TAKEN BY SAM BLAKE
Levi Johnson catches the pop up at shortstop.
Kayden Wainscott releases the ball to first base and gets the runner out.
James Nolen gets ready to catch the ball from the catcher. Right fielder Aiden Cayo runs up to the ball and throws it into the infield.
Cameron Buell steps into the batter’s box and sets himself up to face the pitcher.
Southampton players high five each other after their names get called out before the game.
Walter Griffin throws the ball across the diamond to get the runner out.
Pitcher Grant Woods starts against Westfield.
First baseman Caleb Labrie fields the groundball and takes it himself to get the out.
Caleb Labrie runs to the fence and makes a great catch for an out.
Amherst Historical Society to present John Bechtold piece
AMHERST — The Amherst Historical Society will be presenting “common,” a 10-minute auditory piece, intended for two to 200 people, that will take place on the Amherst Town Common during the Farmers Market on Saturday, July 18.
Participants will be asked to follow voice instructions on their headphones and move around the common during the experience. Designed to celebrate the town’s historic centerpiece, common was created by John
Bechtold, creative director of Eggtooth Productions and the head of the Performing Arts Program at Amherst Regional High School. Through shared experience, Bechtold hopes to bring Amherst together on the Town Common once again, for an un-
forgettable auditory adventure through Amherst’s storied past.
This free, participatory event will require headphones and a connection to the internet while on the Amherst Town Common.
The program will run three times: at 10:30, 11 and 11:30
a.m. Information on how to access the program will be available at Amherst Historical Society’s Hands on History table at the Amherst Farmers Market that morning. Length: approximately 10 minutes. Appropriate for ages 12 and up.
Drumming workshop comes to Munson Memorial Library
AMHERST — Come out to play at this West African Drumming Workshop to be held in the Hall of the Munson Memorial Library at 3 p.m. on Saturday, July 25. The Munson Memorial Library can be found at 1046 South East St. in South Amherst.
SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield Thunderbirds will continue to be a busy presence in the Greater Springfield community throughout the offseason, as the team has announced its summer event calendar.
The T-Birds Community Caravan, with support from MassMutual, will host three more dates of fun throughout the summer months:
• Friday, July 24 at The Landing outside the MassMutual Center, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fea-
Brave Space
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here, the adults are going to be
Jafar Manselle and the Wendell Warriors will begin the session by playing a short set of West African rhythms and discuss the origins and meanings of the songs. Participants will then be shown basic hand placements to create the drum sounds and
turing live music, local farm stands, artisans, food vendors, face painters and balloon artists. The daravan will coincide with the Thunderbirds Tag Sale (noon to 6 p.m.) inside MassMutual Center at T-Birds Merch Store — Game worn jersey sales & special merchandise offerings and savings only available in person!
• Friday, July 31, at the Basketball Hall of Fame, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Kids dressed in T-Birds gear receive free admission to
listening to you and helping to guide you, is really empowering for kids and I think makes a pretty deep impact.”
Lawrence added, “The autonomy of it. Letting it be what they
given drums to practice the basic sounds. The group will then explore a couple of songs together, playing main rhythms and supporting parts.
This program is for participants ages 14-plus. All instruments will be provided, but if you
the Hall of Fame museum; parents will receive discounted admission. Benefiting Foundation for TJO Animals — fans are encouraged to bring dry/wet dog & cat food for donation; everyone who donates will be entered to win four T-Birds game tickets and a T-Birds prize pack
• Saturday, Aug. 22, at Amelia Park Arena (Westfield), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Caravan will coincide with T-Birds Street Hockey Tournament (9 a.m. to 2 p.m.) Ages 9-12; games to be played
want it to be, what’s important to them? What do they want to talk about? What do they want to bring forward, to celebrate, to cry out about, to rally again. That’s the big thing for me and what I’m hoping can come from this. Something unique, something specific to the group that happens to come together in creating this.”
have a drum, you are welcome to bring it. Space is limited and registration required. Please visit the reference desk at the Jones Library, call 413-259-3096 or email programs@joneslibrary.org.
This program is sponsored in
3-on-3. Registration includes one ticket to Opening Night and T-shirt for each player. There will be public ice skating inside Amelia Park Arena (skate rental available)
Additionally, the Thunderbirds are proud to collaborate with the Springfield Hockey Heritage Society to be part of the Heritage Society’s annual HockeyDay on Saturday, July 25, from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Better Living Center at the Big E. The annual event will kick off a celebration of 100 Years
part by a grant from the Amherst Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency. Free and open to the public. For more information, please contact Janet Ryan at 413-259-3223.
of Hockey in Springfield, dating back to the original Springfield Indians of the Canadian-American Hockey League in 1926. Numerous past Springfield Indians, Kings and Falcons are scheduled to appear as part of the celebration, which is open to the public. Tickets are available now by clicking here. Thunderbirds’ 2026-27 season tickets are available now — fans can reserve their seat by visiting SpringfieldThunderbirds.com or by calling 413-739-4625.
The first few weeks of the program will place youth in brainstorming games and scenarios as they think about what they want to bring to life on the stage. The following weeks will allow the youth to zero in on genre and theme as they develop their material. The participants will then spend the final weeks refining and shaping the production before the Nov. 16 performance. “We both work very intentionally to make sure that all of our programming really does provide that platform and safe space for a variety of voices. I love that it is a specifically targeted and intentional opportunity for queer teens,” said Marcus.
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.
CUMMINGTON Joan Strong
EASTHAMPTON Gary Bednarz Pati Stillwater
LEEDS
John “Jack” Scanlan
NORTHAMPTON
Ann Marie Ouimette (Powers)
Evelyn Barbara Sullivan (Lachut)
Robert E. Tacy
SOUTH HADLEY
Joan Harp
Marilyn Ann Pryor (Zirk) Francis W. Wagner Jr.
