HAMPSHIRE COUNTY
JULY 30, 2026 | FREE
Azarloza plans to embrace community
By Trent Levakis tlevakis@thereminder.com
NORTHAMPTON — New
Northampton Superintendent Annie Azarloza knows she is entering a highly engaged district, but that is not something she plans to shy away from.
“People have told me, ‘You’re walking into a highly engaged community,’ and they say that like, ‘be careful,’ and what they don’t know is that’s why I chose Northampton. That’s what I want,” Azarloza told Reminder Publishing. “I love it because I don’t want to be in a community where if I were to — which I am — going to be forming a family and community engagement roundtable, nobody shows up. What’s the fun in that? I want real, authentic engagement. Not performative. Where I’m sitting with you at the table, we’re all at the table, and we’re talking about the future of Northampton. That feels real to me. I’m looking forward to it.”
Azarloza was chosen to become the district’s next Superintendent by the School Committee during an April 30 meeting. Born and raised in Los Angeles under Cuban parents, Azarloza was an English language learner as a young student. She has a master’s in education from American Intercontinental University and is currently securing her doctorate in education leadership with a focus on health and wellness from American College of Education. She began her career in education as a teacher in 2005 while
living in Florida before moving to Massachusetts with her daughter in 2006. She worked in various teaching and school administrative positions on all three levels of public education over the last 15 years in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. She served as superintendent of schools in Rochester, New Hampshire, during the 2024-25 school year and previously served as interim superintendent of the Stratford, Stark, Northumberland School District in New Hampshire.
“What I learned is that I missed Massachusetts. They not only value innovation; they really, truly expect it. And whereas in New Hampshire, they have great things as well, it’s just very different. I was used to this educational system, and I was happy to come back home,” she said.
In the process of being selected as superintendent of Northampton, Azarloza’s time in Rochester sparked debate among School Committee members due to a recent controversy where the city of Rochester filed a complaint for breach of contract in Strafford County Superior Court following her departure from the district. The city alleged in the complaint that Azarloza violated a settlement agreement by making additional public statements, including comments made during a podcast appearance and on social media, claiming a breach of contract, breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing. The city sought injunctive relief, attorney’s fees and costs.
The Rochester School District
eventually commissioned a report to investigate the situation and findings, released in April of this year, that cleared Azarloza of the claims. The majority of Northampton committee members who voted for her shared similar sentiments that the report made them comfortable moving forward with her as the district’s next leader. The committee selected Azarloza in a 6-3-1 vote.
Azarloza said she understood and had no problem with the committee members who did not vote for her to take on the role, and
EASTHAMPTON
Balch reviews firstyear evaluation evidence
Superintendent Michelle Balch presented an overview of the evidence for her first year evaluation. Page 3
NORTHAMPTON
91 unit project moves forward
The construction of 91 housing units at the former Registry of Deeds is moving forward. Page 4
added that it just means she has to earn their trust. She said she plans to be as transparent as possible as she now leads the district.
“First, I’ve got to walk the talk. I did a lot of talking in that interview, but now I’ve got to walk the talk. The process for me is building trust and credibility. I said a lot of things in the interview that sounded really shiny and nice, but now I have to put that into practice. And for me, I will have a standing meeting
New Northampton Superintendent Annie Azarloza.
Photo credit: Northampton Public Schools
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Don’t quit, try anyway
When I was young, I doodled and dreamt of painting big images. Yet, I was told “no, don’t be an artist.” Money was more important. I worked many jobs into my adulthood until the pandemic. I started painting to pass the time.
I joined the Assets for Artists online workshops, online Inuit Tea, and the Gallery A3 online group. Such great artistic communities. I created and had fun while the world was falling apart. Then, I dared to apply for the Easthampton City Arts (ECA) studio residency and got in! I spent the two glorious months in Old Town Hall in 2022 and worked hard. I loved it. I remember the ECA director told me at closing, “Ella, you are a painter!” and I haven’t stopped.
Fast forward these last four years: I have a studio since 2023; I have had the privilege to show my Inuit art internationally and across Massachusetts in solo and group art exhibitions; I started my own small business in 2024 called Ella Alk Inuk; one of my painting’s is included in a middle reader published by Tundra Books (2025) too!
My artistic life is incredible. I didn’t quit and continue to pursue art with incredible artists. When the opportunity arrived to make a
LETTERS
floating sculpture for Easthampton City Arts, I said yes. I did’t know anything about sculpture making while taught myself in the two and a half weeks.
Long nights in my kitchen were spent crafting and enduring the challenges of being a novice sculptor.
Fortunately, I drove over to Nashawannuck Pond with my “Celebrate Fish” sculpture on the June 4th deadline. A 28” male brook trout and a 12” yellow perch of plaster swing off ‘fishing poles’ in a tree stump. The Easthampton zip code is engraved in the stump and it sits on painted lauan boards.
The doubt and the confusion were worth it. I’ve seen strangers sit and watch the three pieces. I saw one lady sketch another took photos. One fisherman said the fish sculpture is ‘fire,’ a compliment indeed.
I whisper to myself, “I made that. I’m an artist.”
Thank you Easthampton City Arts for this opportunity! My friends, family and I are so pleased to visit the pond in the rain, in the heat, at dusk to see the sculptures float with algae, canoes, the birds, and real fishing poles.
Thank you to my supportive, loving, kind husband, Chris Alkiewicz of Radd Payment Solutions. Thank you to Dan and his wife for the tree stump and ability to build in your yard. Lastly, thank you to my mother in Heaven for
pushing me to be better.
Ella Nathanael Alkiewicz Northampton Politics
With Trump as President, national politics feel hopeless. That’s what was on my mind as I was planning a presentation on current affairs for my job at a local retirement home. Trump recently initiated a $2 billion slush fund for his supporters. He sent his son-in-law — worth $500 million — to Iran to negotiate an end to the war. The dubious crypto currency Trump launched as he was elected President eclipsed over $1 billion in earnings.
I opted to speak about local politics instead.
The sense of positivity that usually accompanies such discussions could not be felt that day. I was presenting on Richard Neal, who is running for his 20th term representing Massachusetts’s 1st Congressional District and who is practically a neighbor.
I led with a fact that surprised the residents: Neal receives the highest percentage of PAC money, Democrat or Republican, in Congress. Furthermore, a 2024 report found that Neal funnels $4,000 each month to a consulting agency owned by his son, Brendan Neal Strategies. Most damning of all:
Hundreds of thousands of dollars paid to that same agency originate from companies with stakes in the decisions Representative Neal makes as the Democratic chair of the House Ways and Means Committee. Neal’s son is paid by his father and by the decisions his father makes.
The 30-minute presentation was filled with groans. “I’ve never felt so inspired to get involved in local politics,” one eighty-yearold resident said. She asked what opportunities there might be to canvas. The residents left the presentation desperate for change. They were committed to ousting a politician who applauded ICE in 2025, a politician vehemently backed by greedy corporations, a politician who curries favor for his mega donors and son. These are charges normally leveled toward President Trump. In the retirement home that day, they targeted Richard Neal. Richard Neal can be defeated by the progressive, grassroots candidate Jeromie Whalen in the Democratic primary in less than two months. Jeromie Whalen does not accept PAC money, does not support ICE, nor will he betray his working-class base for millionaire donors.
Central Services director accepts position at UMass
NORTHAMPTON — Mayor
Gina-Louise Sciarra announced that Central Services Director Katie Deppen has accepted a position as Capital Projects Manager at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. After four years with the city of Northampton, Deppen’s last day was Wednesday, July 29.
Deppen joined the city in 2022 as Facilities Project Coordinator in the Central Services Department. She later served in the Department of Public Works before returning to Cen -
Azarloza
Continued from page 1
with all of the School Committee members once per month, meet with them individually, and that’s the same agenda with all of them, and that’s a way for me to build a relationship with them,” Azarloza said. “I think hopefully with time — and I think that’s normal for some School Committee members to have another favorite candidate for whatever reason — I’m confident though that they will see that I am not someone that will just keep the doors of the school district open, I intend to move forward collaboratively with the team and with our caregivers.”
tral Services as Director in June 2025. Throughout her service, she helped strengthen the city’s approach to facilities management, capital planning and infrastructure projects.
“I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve the City of Northampton and for the trust placed in me,” said Deppen. “Working alongside the talented staff in Central Services has been the most rewarding part of this role. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together, and I know the department will
Since she started her tenure on July 1, Azarloza said things have been going great. She has begun to connect with the various people who make up the district, from administrators to teachers and staff, to students. She explained she plans to have open lines of communication across the district and welcomes the honesty and directness of the public.
In terms of budgeting, Azarloza said she plans to start the process earlier, in October specifically, using a zero-based and data-driven approach. Her thought process around this comes at a time where the city is preparing for an override vote in fiscal year 2028.
“These are our values, we do everything student-centric and built on equity. And now we say,
continue building on that work.”
“The City of Northampton will miss Katie,” said Sciarra. “She challenged us to think differently about how we manage our facilities and capital projects, and she backed that vision with hard work and thoughtful leadership. I am grateful for everything she has done for the city, and I wish her every success in this next chapter.”
As Central Services director, Deppen oversaw the maintenance and operation of city and school buildings, managed
‘we’re starting with zero, and you want $10,000 for this? Tell me what the data is showing. What are you going to use it for, and if we use that money for that intent, what is going to be the impact?’” Azarloza explained. “So now we’re really thinking thoughtfully about how we’re utilizing the money. And in our mind, we’re also thinking like we’re not just spending this money, we need to know what is the desired impact of the money that we’re going to utilize.”
Azarloza said she wants to open as many channels of communication as possible to meet the community’s needs and facilitate the goals of the district. She shared that she plans to do that through her own cabinet, monthly forums, an Educator Advisory Council made up of staff across the district, a Superintendent Student Advisory Council with high schoolers and a family and community engagement round table,
municipal capital projects, and supervised the city’s parking operations.
The city will post the Central Services Director position on its website and anticipates filling the role as soon as possible to ensure a seamless transition for the department.
For more information, contact the mayor’s Office at 413-587-1249 or mayor@ northamptonma.gov. This press release can be found on the city’s web page here.
forward is inclusive, collaborative and very transparent, and so I’m looking forward to it and I know that every school district works in a fiscally constrained environment and that’s just a reality, but as long as we’re making decisions that are data driven and are aligned to our values, I think we’ll be OK.”
Aside from budgetary concerns, Azarloza said her main focuses of the future will be transparency, special education, supporting the staff inside of the school buildings, and establishing the district cell phone policy to fight back against the impacts of screen time on students. She added that she plans to present an entry plan about her leaderhsip approach to the School Committee in August, and by December, she hopes to present a dissemination of that entry plan’s findings. But before all that happens, her goal right now is to learn the nuances of the community and find out how to make Northampton the best district that it can be.
“Those are going to be great places for me to learn, what are the needs? You are the people on the ground, the teachers, the students, the custodians, what are you hearing that there’s a need for? Families, what are you hearing at home is the need? And that’s going to inform our budget process because I’m going to bring those conversations to the cabinet table when we’re talking about the budget,” she said. “I just want to make sure that our budget process moving
“I’m actually excited for school to start even though it’s summer, but I want to be in the schools. I am a highly visible superintendent,” she said. “They will feel my presence, they will see me often in schools, they will see me at community events. I’m looking forward to starting the school year and just being part of that school community, getting to know our families and our youth.”
Noah Daube-Valois Northampton
Balch reviews first-year evaluation evidence at meeting
By Tina Lesniak Correspondent
EASTHAMPTON — At the School Committee’s July 21 meeting, Superintendent Michelle Balch presented an overview of the evidence for her first year evaluation.
Balch began by reviewing the three main goals she set for her first year at Easthampton Public Schools: strengthening data-informed practices, participating in the new superintendent induction program and fully implementing the Parent Square communication app.
She noted that the focus of leadership team meetings this past year has been looking at discipline and attendance dates, especially after schedule changes at Easthampton High School, as well as analyzing Star assessment and MCAS data. Balch noted that the change in the schedule decreased the number of tardies at the high school. She
also stated that Star assessment reports had been shared with parents via the Parent Square app so that parents would have that information immediately and would not need to wait for parent-teacher conferences.
Referencing the new superintendent program, Balch offered praise and noted that it had been very helpful to have her mentor guiding her and offering support in this first year. She added that much of the work she’d done came from the entry findings report, noting that it “set the groundwork for the work we had to do.” That report, as well as listening sessions, have led to a 25-person strategic planning committee that will continue to lay the groundwork for upcoming projects and initiatives.
In terms of the incorporation of Parent Square, Balch said that 99% of families are registered, calling that number “incredible.” Balch added that the district will now
work to see exactly what kind of information should be shared and how the district can have more two-way communication with parents and caregivers.
Balch’s presentation on her evaluation led into her presentation on other work that has been done this year, including a revised mission and vision for the district and a focus on the four core values of the district: learning, equity, belonging and shared responsibility. She added that every meeting comes back to those main pillars of the district and “everything will be aligned.”
School Committee members will review all of the evidence individually and then create an evaluation based on the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s rubric. Each member will submit their evaluation to School Committee Chair Laura Scott, who will then pull them all together. That report is expected in September.
Easthampton receives grant for Manhan Rail Trail repairs
By Sydney Wietecha Correspondent
EASTHAMPTON — A scenic
staple in Easthampton will receive a facelift after the city was awarded a $500,000 MassTrails grant on June 24 to fund repairs to the Manhan Rail Trail. The MassTrails program provides matching grants to support the design, construction, improvement and maintenance of shared-use paths and recreational trails across Massachusetts.
In Easthampton, the Manhan Rail Trail occupies a former railroad corridor that once served the city’s mills and industries. After rail service end-
ed in 1992, the city acquired the corridor and converted it into a recreational trail, which opened in 2004.
Easthampton DPW Director Greg Nuttelman explained that the most important maintenance issues along the Easthampton section of the trail are “declining large trees throughout the corridor and aging asphalt that is cracking and heaving causing trip hazards.”
“The project will remove hazardous trees and roots that are causing unsafe surface conditions on the trail,” said Nuttelman. “It will closely resemble the work that was completed last summer, which included
point-to-point pavement repairs, root barrier installation and pavement crack sealing.”
Nuttelman said the repairs will improve trail safety and accessibility by fixing damaged pavement and uneven surfaces. The work will help reduce fall risks and create a safer experience for all trail users.
He also explained that this grant-funded project will help maintain the trail’s condition as the city Trail Maintenance and Repairs transitions from a volunteer-run group to a city department and ensures the trail is ready for the change in management. Construction is expected to
begin in late fall or early spring and must be completed by June 30, 2027. During the project, sections of the trail will be closed, with most closures occurring between Ferry Street and Route 5/East Street.
The grant Easthampton received is part of $7.6 million that was awarded through the MassTrails program.
This year’s program is funding trail projects in 38 municipalities and is contributing to statewide efforts to improve trail networks. According to a press release sent to Reminder Publishing , the program funds the efforts of municipalities, public entities, nonprofit organizations
and Native communities. Trails receiving funding are used for a variety of activities, including hiking, running, cycling, skiing, horseback riding and off-road vehicle use.
“Each Massachusetts community is home to at least one public trail that gets residents outside and brings in visitors that help support small businesses,” said Gov. Maura Healey. “These grants will help improve and expand access to trails across our state so more people can enjoy the outdoors, stay active and explore new places. We’re proud to invest in projects that strengthen local communities and support our economy.”
Easthampton Public Schools Superintendent Michelle Balch
Proposed 91 housing unit project moves forward
By Trent Levakis tlevakis@thereminder.com
NORTHAMPTON — The construction of 91 affordable housing units at the former Registry of Deeds site on 33 King St. is moving forward after the Planning Board approved a special permit for the project at its July 10 meeting.
Valley CDC, in partnership with The Community Builders, was selected to purchase and redevelop the property at 33 King St. Located in the heart of Northampton, the property abuts the Norwottuck Rail Trail and is within walking distance of multiple public bus stops and an Amtrak station.
Director of Planning and Sustainability Carolyn Misch told Reminder Publishing that Northampton worked with the commonwealth to seek disposition of the property to the city under the typical terms that they have with communities when dispensing a property.
“Both the commonwealth and the city had the goal of revitalizing that property to create economic development and economic vitality for downtown. It had for years, the structure itself, being a state office building in what was formerly a garage — just slapped on some windows and turned into an office building — was really an eyesore and had always been a hole in the city’s block face from King Street, virtually next to Silverscape Designs and then the Calvin Theater, and this piece right across from
the hotel,” said Misch. “So, the city acquired the land from the commonwealth with the intention of having it redeveloped. And the commonwealth makes these arrangements with communities because typically cities are faster at disposing of land for redevelopment than the commonwealth.”
Misch added that the city was agnostic about what type of development could happen. She said that there was no request for proposal, or an RFP, dictating the type of development that could grace the location. Ultimately, the proposal from Valley CDC and The Community Builders, or TCB, was selected by the city.
Valley CDC and TCB have worked together with the goal to create a mixed-use, cohesive community with two buildings and shared amenities for residents, including parking, green space and safe bike path access. Designers and architects on the project presented plans to build two five-story buildings on the 1.46-acre property in June.
The existing building on the property was built in 1975 and has been vacant since 2019. It will be demolished to make way for the new development, where each building will be owned separately by the two organizations.
The 52,000-square-foot Valley CDC building will be located on the back of the property next to the Norwottuck Rail Trail and will be constructed first. It will include a mix of one-, twoand three-bedroom apartments. There will be a common space
on the ground floor and laundry rooms on the upper floors.
The 62,000-square-foot TCB building will sit at the front of the King Street property and contain 14 one-bedroom and studio units, 18 two-bedroom units and four three-bedroom units. The building will also feature ground-floor commercial space.
After two public hearings, the project was approved under the conditions that the applicant make improvements to the crosswalk along King Street through curb extension, and provide asphalt and lighting certifications from the state.
Misch told Reminder Publishing that pedestrian access and potential lack of parking to support the project were initial concerns during the public hearings. However, she added that there is enough knowledge and evidence around similar projects in downtown Northampton to suggest that those concerns will be addressed.
“We know there have been many studies in the last 1-2 years that are showing that car ownership has dropped dramatically on a per-unit basis for residential units. We also know from Northampton specifically ... people in income-eligible housing ... those who are at the lower economic spectrum in the community and who are eligible to move into these units, by in large cannot afford cars and do not have cars. And so, there’s evidence in all the properties that Valley Community Development and TCB owns, as well as Wayfinder’s, that the
parking lots are not full,” Misch explained. “We have evidence of that already in Northampton, so I think those concerns can be addressed in reality of the situation.”
Misch added, “Just creating that new energy in that block will have ripple effects for downtown in terms of people being able to walk and access services and businesses.”
During its July 10 meeting, the Planning Board continued the public hearing on the project from June amid expressed concerns from the public and the board over parking, pedestrian access and design standards. At the initial June meeting, the board requested that the applicant return with more information addressing these concerns. Fuss and O’Neil Senior Project Manager Emily Wright explained that the proposed project was expected to generate approximately 16 new vehicle trips during peak workday hours
and 21 vehicle trips during peak evening hours, based on national traffic impact data collected by the Institute of Transportation Engineers.
Wright added that although the data was collected from multifamily housing developments throughout the country, affordable housing residents typically own fewer cars and drive less than market-rate tenants. She added that she felt that those concerns would be abated because the project only calls for 29 parking spaces on a lot that currently has about 89 spaces.
“This project is proposed in a location that’s in the heart of downtown, so folks have easy access to bus routes and the bike path and can walk to many of their daily needs,” Wright said.
After the meeting, Misch said that she felt the applicants were very responsive to the issues raised. She shared that they
Floating beach wheelchair arrives at Musante Beach
By Trent Levakis tlevakis@thereminder.com
NORTHAMPTON — A floating beach wheelchair was delivered to Musante Beach in Leeds on July 21, offering a new level of accessibility for beachgoers in Northampton.
The city was awarded the accessibility tool through the SMILE Mass 2026 Beach Wheelchair Grant Program, which aims to create more inclusive beaches, ponds and lakes throughout New England, according to the organization.
“It’s super special. It opens up your eyes to how to get even more accessible up here. When we were awarded it, we thought,
‘wow this is amazing.’ Yesterday, we even got a phone call from someone who said, ‘how can I reserve it for when I come up?’” said Parks and Recreation Director Ann-Marie Moggio, who added that those interested in using the wheelchair can reach out to the Parks and Recreation Department. “It really has opened our eyes, and hopefully, more community members who need it will be able to use it here. We are very excited about it.”
SMILE Mass is a nonprofit that empowers people with disabilities and their families through barrier-free recreation with inclusive recreation and adaptive programs.
Since launching this program, the organization has donated more than 180 floating beach wheelchairs to public beaches and ponds across New England to help individuals with disabilities access the water. Senior director of operations for SMILE Mass, Todd Civin, delivered the beach wheelchair and said the nonprofit has expanded its mission of bringing beach wheelchairs to as many New England communities as possible.
“For us, it’s a big year of giving, but it provides accessibility to so many other places. It speaks loudly about a municipality that
See WHEELCHAIR on page 8
City officials and representatives from SMILE Mass pose for a photo on Musante Beach with the community’s new floating beach wheelchair.
Reminder Publishing photo by Trent Levakis
The former Registry of Deeds on 33 King St. will eventually turn into 91 affordable housing units. The Planning Board officially approved the special permit for the project at its July 10 meeting.
Reminder
African Community Festival returns to Marshall Roy Park
By Sarah Heinonen sheinonen@thereminder.com
SPRINGFIELD — Marshall Roy
Park will be filled with the sights, sounds and aromas of African traditions on Saturday, Aug. 8, as the African Community Festival connects cultures and generations.
The festival began four years ago as a community cookout to bring together members of the African diaspora living in Western Massachusetts. A year later, Naefia Padi founded the nonprofit Unity Hearts Foundation and rebranded the event as a festival.
“People typically see Africa as one place, not as a collection of different countries and cultures,” said Event Coordinator Evelyn Ansah. However, the continent is composed of 54 countries, each with unique aspects of its culture.
Padi added, “Our aunties, our uncles, our parents, they wear a rich cloth.”
Ansah said there will be food from a variety of different African cultures, as well as American food, and include a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony. The festival will feature a friendly tasting competition around jollof rice, a common dish in many African countries, which is prepared differently depending on the cultural tradition. In the “Jollof Wars” contest, versions of the dish from Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Liberia and Gambia will compete to be crowned the best.
The festival will provide music from Orchestre Moto, a live Congolese band specializing in rumba, soukous and ndombolo rythyms. Entertainment will include a Ugandan dance ensemble
by AfroDiamonds, a Senegambian Kankourang masquerade dance and an afrofusion fashion show. There will also be free face painting, family-friendly activities, cultural games, virtual reality experiences, a raffle, a marketplace and resource vendors. Additionally, Unity Hearts Foundation is hosting a backpack giveaway while supplies last for students ahead of the start of school. This year, the free festival will run from noon to 7 p.m. at the park, 162 El Paso St. It is sponsored by the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority, Spark Good, Mass Cultural Council and Springfield Community Resources.
Referring to the region’s African diaspora, Ansah said, “We kind of live in tiny little pockets.” Because people live in those pockets, she said the festival provides a
sense of wider belonging for many.
“It is a time we can come together and share our culture. It is very important to educate our children in this. We can bring our culture for them to see,” Padi said. Among the cultures represented at the festival are those from Ghana, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Sudan, Somalia and South Africa. “Last year, there was somebodies from Uganda. We didn’t even realize there was that many Ugandans in Western Massachusetts,” Ansah said. Ansah, who was born in Ghana, but whose siblings were born in the United States, said the festival allows young people to connect with their heritage. “It allows them to know their cultures. I can see how attending the festival year after year, they have pride in their cultures,” she said.
While children may have grown up hearing stories about their family’s culture, it has a different impact when they can taste the food and listen to the music, Ansah said. “For a lot of young adults, it is a way to better understand where their culture comes from,” she said.
“It’s so beautiful,” Padi said. She said she knows Black Americans, who do not identify as African, who were inspired to take a vacation to an African country after attending the festival. She said she would like to invite everyone in Western Massachusetts to attend the festival, regardless of whether they are of African descent.
“Experience different cultures,” said Padi. “One community, one love. That’s what Unity Hearts Foundation is about — to bring everyone together.”
Big E partners with local high schools for design contest
WEST SPRINGFIELD —
The
Big E has recruited five local high schools from the Pioneer Valley and tasked their students with designing and executing a creative reimagining of the fair’s agricultural mascot, Chick-E, minding the 250th anniversary of the United States’s independence. The patriotic Chick-E statues, which have each been carefully hand-painted by high schoolers, will be on display during The Big E, Sept. 18 to Oct. 4, where fairgoers can vote for their favorite design.
Participating high schools include Agawam High School, Holyoke High School, Westfield High School, West Springfield High School and Pope Francis Preparatory School in Springfield. Fair organizers contacted the heads of each school’s art department to coordinate and provide detailed instructions for weather-proofing student designs, a stipend for supplies and expectations given the mission of fair presenter and host site, Eastern States Exposition, and the America 250 motif.
Agawam High School’s Chick-E is titled “Agawam HER-story.” A total of 18 students contributed to the completion of the statue, which they designed as a “visual representation of the women who have, are and continue to be the foundation of our community,” explained Amber Waters, an art teacher at Agawam High School.
“This includes farmers, teachers, artists, coaches, veterans,
entrepreneurs, students, innovators and mentors,” said Waters.
“The women of Agawam are always striving to make our community great, and the work of these strong women has created a thread that is woven into the diverse tapestry of our great country. We acknowledge and applaud them as the United States celebrates 250 years.”
Holyoke High School’s painting team consisted of 12 students.
Their Chick-E, “Peep,” was inspired by their city’s own history.
“Holyoke was originally home to the Nonotuck, an Algonquin-speaking people,” said Giuseppe Duran, a fine arts teacher at Holyoke High School North.
“To honor the Native Americans who first lived in our city, Peep’s wings are painted with feathers traditionally worn by indigenous peoples, and Peep is depicted as a bald eagle, one of America’s most recognized symbols of freedom.”
Additionally, Peep’s tail is painted to resemble an American flag, painted with broad stripes and white stars. A peace sign shines in the statue’s left eye, and fireworks are reflected in the right eye, inspired by the National Anthem’s mention of “the rocket’s red glare.” The entire design is bursting with symbols of independence to celebrate the courage it took to earn our country’s liberation from the British crown.
Westfield High School’s Karen Kane supervised the creation of their Chick-E, “Bomber,” whose name is a nod to their school mascot, but the design takes the
reference a step further; Bomber is painted like a pilot in a display of appreciation for the National Guard that works at Barnes Airport in Westfield. Karen Kane of the school’s Art department oversaw the four students — Rylee Rumplik, Kara Sweeney, James Thompson and Eric Villafane — who worked diligently to complete their school’s statue.
West Springfield High School said they had a lot of fun naming their Chick-E when students opened the decision to a schoolwide vote. The winning name? Ben Chick-man Franklin, named for one of the country’s Founding Fathers.
However, the democratic feedback did not end with the naming of the statue; the painters and larger Art department polled students to find out where their families hail from. Ben Chickman Franklin was designed to ensure that the more than 20 nationalities represented by the student body each had a place on the statue.
“Ben Chick-man Franklin embodies West Springfield High School’s superpower: the many cultures and languages of our school,” said Anne Charron, fine and applied Arts department head at West Springfield High School. “His superhero cape was painted by a dedicated crew of more than 20 students from countries like Rwanda, Ireland, Syria and Kyrgyzstan. Our hope was to make Ben a friendly, welcoming representation of The Big E while celebrating the 250th anniversary of
Jacqueline Boudreau-Kinsey of Pope Francis Preparatory School stands at far right with some of her students upon the delivery of their school’s Chick-E statue.
America’s founding.” Jacqueline Boudreau-Kinsey, Art department head at Pope Francis Preparatory School in Springfield, Mass., is the point person for their school’s Chick-E. The statue was designed and started upon by the rising upperclassmen in Boudreau-Kinsey’s Advanced Placement Art class at the end of the 2025-2026 academic year, and their vision will be executed and expanded upon by the juniors that remain
Reminder Publishing submitted photo
as seniors and additional AP Art students at the start of the 20262027 year. The statue is sure to be a shining example of creative collaboration. The statues will be on display in the New England Center among other Creative Arts contest entries throughout The Big E, Sept. 18 through Oct. 4. Follow us on social media, @TheBigEFair, for more details about how you can cast your vote for your favorite design.
The Easthampton 9U All-Star baseball team fell to Amherst on July 11, 11–10, at Milne field in Easthampton.
BLAKE
Thomas Staples (17) hustles down first base.
Head Coach of the Easthampton 9U All Star team high fives his players after they come into the dugout.
Catcher Thomas Staples (17) catches the ball low.
Above, Dylan Wilson (11) stands on first base after getting on with a walk.
Brady McGrath (9) runs down the third baseline and makes it to home safely.
Zach Hibbert (97) throws the ball back to the pitcher.
Dylan Wilson (11) grabs the ball in the outfield and throws it to the cutoff man.
Desi Keay (7) takes a step into the batter’s box.
Desi Keay (7) runs from second base and scores a run.
Josiah Diaz-Deshaies (1) gets into his stance when the pitcher throws the ball.
Zach Hibbert (97) gets ready to catch the low pop up.
Zach Hibbert (97) gets ready to tag the runner out.
After the pitcher threw the ball to the backstop, Thomas Staples (17) slides into home safely. Desi Keay (7) pitches against Amherst.
Smithsonian American Art Museum exhibit arrives at Smith College
By Trent Levakis tlevakis@thereminder.com
NORTHAMPTON — An exhibition featuring the work of abstract painter Alma Thomas is making its way to Smith College Museum of Art. From July 24 to Jan. 10, 2027, the public will have the opportunity to see the work firsthand in one of its final stops on a tour around the country.
Composing Color: Paintings by Alma Thomas from the Smithsonian American Art Museum will showcase the abstract painter’s style through works exploring themes of Space, Earth and Music. The exhibit, which will offer a view of Thomas’s work from 1959-1978, will give people the opportunity to experience SCMA’s own painting by Thomas in dialogue with major works from the Smithsonian’s collection.
In a convergence of institutional collecting and scholarship, Thomas’s “Morning in the Bowl of Night” (1973) — acquired by SCMA in 2018 — will be presented alongside the Smithsonian’s extensive holdings, while Thomas’s “Untitled” (1966) watercolor on paper will be on loan from Sylvia and Byron Lewis Sr.
The Smithsonian American Art Museum connected with Jessica Nicoll, SCMA’s director and chief curator, to inform her of the touring exhibit and see if Smith had interest in hosting. Because Smith College Museum of Art already has a painting by Thomas in its collection closely related to the Smithsonian’s collection, the collaboration seamlessly moved ahead, according to Nicoll.
“Alma Thomas’s innovative spirit and transformative vision
feel especially resonant today. We are thrilled to bring Composing Color to SCMA and to showcase our own Thomas holdings within this broader context, offering our community an immersive encounter with an artist who continuously pushed boundaries and embraced the future,” said Nicoll. “We’re proud that, much like at SAAM, coming to SCMA to see Thomas’s work is free for all visitors.”
The Smithsonian American Art Museum’s collection of Thomas’s work is the largest public collection in the world. The museum began acquiring Thomas’s art in 1970 and ultimately obtained more than a dozen works while she was alive and 13 more works following her death in 1978.
“Alma Thomas is one of the most significant artists of the 20th century, and we are fortunate at Smith to play a role in stewarding her work. In bringing this exhibition to Smith, we hope that Thomas’s art and her legacy as a painter, public school educator, and community leader will invite our audiences to find inspiration in her paintings and in the many phenomena, places, and ideas that, in turn, inspired her,” said Emma Chubb, Charlotte Fend Ford ’83 Curator of Contemporary Art and organizer of the exhibit.
Thomas gained recognition for her work in the mid-1960s by creating a painting style characterized by the interplay of pattern and vibrant color. The Washington D.C.-based artist and teacher was active in the Washington Color School, and her work became acclaimed. Thomas once said, “Art could be anything.
It could be behavior, as long as it’s beautiful.”
“Thomas’s palette of bright colors combined with her distinctive brushwork and structured compositions gives her paintings an unmistakable visual energy. Once you become familiar with her work, it is instantly recognizable,” said Chubb.
Composing Color is organized around Thomas’s favored themes of space, earth and music. Her source of inspiration was nature, whether seen through her kitchen window or from outer space.
Thomas’s work also showcases how she embraced the technological and social changes of the 20th century, according to organizers of the exhibit. Her artistic evolution from academic painting to abstraction reflected this attitude — her belief for a “new art representing a new era,” according to organizers.
King Street
incorporated design elements along the Merrick Lane side of the property to address concerns around the façade, but also within the context of the narrow and dead-end nature of the street.
“Also, I think they were responsive by not just changing the length of the façade, but also very specifically indicating rationale for why they might not be able to fully meet some of the design guidelines and how they were
Wheelchair
makes accessibility part of who they are and what they do. It speaks of what good people you are because you think about people who are less fortunate than yourselves,” Civin said to the group of city officials, Musante Beach staff, the mayor’s office and the Office of Planning and Sustainability. “You’re going to get goosebumps the first time you see somebody using it and the joy that it brings them. I think this is going to allow you to begin thinking accessible, and it’s contagious. Other people are going to want to be like Northampton because you made this such an important part of your programs.” Northampton was one of five communities awarded through this round of the program. Mu-
As her career evolved, Thomas adapted her methods to physical challenges from arthritis while maintaining her mastery of color, Chubb said.
“I find that each of Alma Thomas’s paintings has real energy, but seeing a whole floor of the museum filled with her work is just incredible. It’s like the space hums,” said Chubb. “I hope visitors will leave with a deeper appreciation for Thomas’s singular vision and the breadth of her talents. Her work reflects a fascination with the world’s beauty as it is expressed through the natural world, human creativity and technological innovation.”
Chubb added that although Smith College has collected American art since 1879, it only acquired its first work by Thomas in 2018. She said the team at SCMA is thrilled to share more of Thomas’s unique voice and
creating alternatives to meet the intention of those guidelines, given the context of the site and what they’re proposing,” Misch added. “To speak to the crosswalk piece, they were very amenable in ensuring safe pedestrian crossing where they are directing folks from their new building to that crosswalk.”
Now that the Planning Board has approved the permit, Misch said applicants will secure funding for the acquisition and construction of the project. She anticipates that the closing and selling of the property to Valley CDC
sante Beach, in its 36th season, will be home to the wheelchair, which uses large balloon tires so it can be pushed by a companion into the water. The armrest floats connected to the chair help users float in the water.
Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra was in attendance for the delivery and thanked Moggio and Parks & Recreation Assistant Director Shelby Michna for their effort in securing the grant.
“We’re so grateful to be a recipient of this, so thank you. This means so much to us to be able to provide this kind of access here at Musante, and I love the idea that it is going to light a fire in folks to think about accessibility in different ways in recreation areas, and that this will expand access throughout Northampton and then the region as more people will get excited about projects like this,” said Sciarra.
SMILE Mass donates approx-
style with audiences in Massachusetts for free, and as the only New England venue for this exhibition’s national tour.
“Alma Thomas’s work rewards close looking and repeat visits, and we hope visitors will come and spend time with the work. In addition, we have a lot of in-person and online programs connected to the exhibition, from talks by art historians to handson art-making activities,” said Chubb. “More broadly, this exhibition creates opportunities for audiences of all ages to engage with an important American artist whose work brings together color, experimentation, nature, science and imagination. Creating space for people to spend time with art, make their own connections and come away seeing something differently is central to what we hope to offer at SCMA.”
and TCB will occur next spring. She noted that the project is the perfect fit for downtown Northampton. “Having that mix of residential on the upper floors ensures that there’s 24/7 sort of activity coming and going from a building,” said Misch. “And of course, adding residential to downtown helps with the existing businesses because you’ve got folks who are living there and then need services, and so that supports businesses. So it’s a really synergistic use scenario when you’ve got residential mixed with commercial.”
imately 20 beach wheelchairs annually in a mission to make every public beach and pond in New England accessible, according to the organization. To learn more about the beach wheelchair, other programs or more about SMILE Mass’s work in general, visit smilemass.org.
“It’s huge that they’re [SMILE Mass] promoting accessibility and inclusion. This is something that we may not even have thought about even pursuing,” Moggio told Reminder Publishing in June following the announcement. “It’s going to promote more inclusion for all the current members of our community, and so I’m psyched to partner with them, and it’s great to know that this option is there, and now we get to provide some good memories for some people that might not otherwise have gotten the opportunity out here in Western Mass.”
From left: “Light Blue Nursery”, by Alma Thomas. “The Eclipse”, by Alma Thomas. “Red Abstraction”, by Alma Thomas, to be featured in the upcoming exhibition, Composing Color: Paintings by Alma Thomas from the Smithsonian American Art Museum at Smith College Museum of Art from July 24 to Jan. 10, 2027.
Photo credit: Smith College Musuem of Art
Adam J. Schifferli, Erin N. Schifferli and Marian Carole Felice to Kelly Caiazzo, 55 Mechanic St., $620,000.
Allan Rantala to Jeanne Tao and Shane T. Bordeau, 82 Stagecoach Road, $565,000. David Maguire to Anna Abramson and Erica Abramson, 36 Trillium Way, $830,000. Amherst Community Television Inc., and Amherst Media to Emerald Land Holdings Inc., 420 Main St., $410,000. Matthew L. Gomberg and Alison Marie Klaum to North East & Strong LLC, 222 North East St., $250,000. Rebekah Lynne Cornell, trustee, and 60 Spaulding Street Nominee Trust to 60 Spaulding St LLC, 60 Spaulding St., $417,500. BELCHERTOWN
Rocco M. Micelotta and Jessica Micelotta to Brandon Patrick Bedore, 406 Michael Sears Road, $465,000.
Cheryl Puchelt to John Portelada, 58 Poole Road, $265,000.
Michael J. O’Brien and Vicki L. O’Brien to ARPC LLC, 221 Aldrich St., $150,000. EASTHAMPTON
Wagging Tails Animal Services LLC, to Dale R. Craven and Megan A. Deitner, 30 Florence Road, $800,000.
Todd R. Carson and John Abdiel Feliciano Lopez to Alexa Valle and Julianne Zimmerman, 105 Plain St., $535,000. Abigail Whittier and Daniel Kent to Michelle Chandler and Amy Charlotte Crowe-Chandler, 64 Mount Tom Ave., $299,000. Deborah M. Testerman, personal representative, and Jean Denise Smith, estate, to Lois J. Keefe, 7 Lazy D Drive, $475,000.
Carissa Weeks to Andrew Martinez and Heather Martinez, 10 Jessie Lane, $216,500.
Jessica L. Damon, personal representative, and Linda L. Drozdowski, estate, to BHO Realty LLC, 6 Cherry St., $225,000.
Healthy Neighborhoods Group LLC, to Jane Carey, 20 Meadowbrook Drive, $399,000. HADLEY
Tammy J. Stanley, trustee, Susan A. Brand, trustee, Alan H.R. Stanley, trustee, and John A. Stanley Irrevocable Trust to Jeremy M. Kipling and Rebecca E. Kipling, 282 Bay Road, $389,000.
Edward J. Harrop to Edward J. Harrop, trustee, Lynda J. Harrop, trustee, and Old Mountain Road Realty Trust, Old Mountain Road, $100.
Carolyn A. Blajda, trustee, Frank R. Blajda, trustee, Catherine A. Kennedy, Paula A. Mieczkowski and Robert H. Kokoski to Silver Ceiling LLC, 45 Comins Road, $430,000.
Anne Zielinski to Agnes C. Ting and Gabriel Ting, 73 North Maple St., $515,000.
Anthony A. Pipczynski to Hailey Boisvert and Damian A. Willor, 25 Maple Ave., $420,000.
Daniel Navarro and Kimberly Navarro to Melinda Petit, 18 Maple Ave., $652,000.
Rebecca E. Washer to Kyndall Jennings and Robert Jennings, 54 Huntington Road, $555,000.
NORTHAMPTON
Elizabeth Fairbanks and James Feole to Anna Jaysane-Darr, 197 Bridge Road, $439,000.
Blue Mountain Properties LLC, to Fourteen Sixteen Meadow LLC, 14-16 Meadow St., $479,000.
Tekla A. McInerney and Maureen Conroy to Allison M. Comet, 106 Chestnut St., $713,000.
Julia Gold, trustee, and Betty Wolfson 2010 Trust to Jennifer Brackett Piskovitz and Todd Piskovitz, 105 Fern St., $525,000.
Anthony A. Dastoli to Sean Olivia Thompson and Micah James Johnson, 635 Florence Road, $400,000.
Audrey M.
