Agawam residents speak out against councilor’s comments
During the Agawam City Council meeting on Feb. 17, residents used the citizenspeak time to address comments made during the discussion on municipal benefits for domestic partners on Feb. 2.
WEST SPRINGFIELD
Early figures show schools face $3.5 million budget gap
It is still in the early stages of the fiscal year 2027 budget process, but West Springfield Public Schools Chief Financial Officer Adam Tarquini provided the Town Council with a budget overview on Feb. 17. The outlook for the budget, which will take effect on July 1, is stark. Page 4
AHS zeroes in on teaching and learning vision
shared ideas about a
By Mike Lydick Correspondent
AGAWAM — Since 2023, a group of Agawam High School teachers, administrators and students have been working on an innovative project known as Meeting the Moment with the of goal creating a new teaching and learning vision for students.
At the Feb. 10 School Committee meeting, MaryLyn Hunter, an instructional coach at AHS, and a project leader, provided an update on work to make the vision a reality. The school has been working with the Barr Foundation, a Boston-based philanthropy that has been funding the project through a grant.
Hunter was joined by two AHS students, Nazo Sahibzay and Devin Soucy, who also have been involved in the project. She
said work has included “a great deal” of evidence gathering, research and planning. Hunter added that work has centered around a new learning vision of high-quality instruction centered around students who are resilient and equipped with real-world problem-solving skills.
“Our work from September to December of this school year, labeled as cycle three, was to dig further into our instructional vision and to support the creation of instruction that is centered around rigorous tasks that shift the work of learning from the teacher to the student,” said Hunter.
“This year, we partnered with SpringPoint, an educational consultant, who have helped us in making our instructional Look for Tool. Additionally, they help facilitate instructional rounds and offer coaching for several AHS
staff members,” she said.
Hunter said the goal is to create learning in classrooms that is driven by student voices, filled with discussion and debate, learning experiences that require critical thinking and facilitate students in making connections between their learning in school in the real world.
This focus, Hunter said, developed into several areas, including creating the AHS Learning Lab, a second and improved Student Summit, instructional rounds and department meetings.
“The AHS Learning Lab was born out of our work at the Meeting the Moment conference in June 2025 in collaboration with our students with us here tonight.
As a part of this experience, cohorts of 10 to 12 teachers have participated in focused 10-week coaching sessions in order to un-
lock how we might make student thinking visible and create ownership for learning amongst our students,” said Hunter.
Teachers meet regularly as a whole cohort, collaborating and sharing their ideas. Additionally they visit each other’s classrooms as a part of the experience. Data is gathered from all stakeholders, and Learning Lab teachers also are a focus of instructional rounds.
The goal of this experience was three-fold: to make ideas in the instructional Look for Tool a reality in classrooms, to create a community of educators with a similar goal and to foster student ownership of learning.
Sahibzay, a sophomore, talked about her experience in the Learning Lab, telling the com-
Students and teachers at Agawam High School were joined by community members and AHS alumni for a summit ln November 2025. They
Meeting the Moment.
Photo credit: Agawam High School
See TEACHING on page 2
Healey, Driscoll make Holyoke campaign stop
By Tyler Garnet tgarnet@thereminder.com
HOLYOKE
— On Feb. 17, Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll visited the International Volleyball Hall of Fame in Holyoke as part of two campaign stops in Western Massachusetts.
The stop in Holyoke and the one later that day in North Adams provided Healey and Driscoll the opportunity to discuss state investments in new housing projects and local arts and culture, in addition to the duo’s affordability agenda and their reelection campaign.
“The bottom line is both Kim and I feel incredibly privileged to be in these positions,” Healey stated. “We also deeply, deeply love our state, and we want to work and stand shoulder to shoulder with everyone and anyone who believes in our state and who wants better for their community, for their family, and we’ll work so, so hard to get that done.”
Holyoke Mayor Joshua Garcia opened the event by endorsing the duo and highlighting some of the work they and the state have done to help Holyoke achieve certain goals. He specifically highlighted advancements in housing, regaining local control for its school district and construction advancements at the Victory Theatre as major milestones in the community.
Garcia recalled a similar event four years ago at the Victory Theatre in Holyoke, where he first endorsed Healey for governor.
“Today, I stand here once again alongside our governor to reaffirm my full support for Gov.
Teaching
mittee that students feel more engaged and that it makes it easier
Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll as they seek reelection, because their leadership has been clear, their vision has been strong and their commitment to not only Holyoke, but communities everywhere in the commonwealth.”
Other legislators at the event endorsed Healey and Driscoll, including state Reps. Pat Duffy and Brian Ashe, Easthampton Mayor Salem Derby, Holyoke City Council President Tessa Murphy-Romboletti and Holyoke City Councilor Juan Anderson-Burgos.
Healey emphasized some important accomplishments from her first term, including tax cuts, the passage of a “historic” housing bill, and improvements in health care costs and economic development.
Healey said the housing bill has resulted in 100,000 housing starts, in other words, new housing units either built, permitted or constructed around the state in the last three years. She further explained that experts said when they started, Massachusetts needed to build about 220,000 units around the state by 2035 to get to where they need to be.
“We’re focused on affordability, we’re focused on building more homes as quickly as we can to drive down costs,” Healey said. “Build more housing, we drive down costs.”
First-time homebuyers can also receive $25,000 towards the purchase of a new home. Healey also recently announced an increase in the production of Accessory Dwelling Units in Massachusetts to expand housing options, support homeowners and increase affordable housing.
for teachers as well. “It’s reevaluating how teachers teach students and how students also feel about the learning process,” she said.
“I definitely see a big change from last year to this year,” Sahibzay added. “Even though it’s
For economic development, Healey talked about a key economic driver in the state.
“One thing that we’re really excited about in this region is the opportunity for more investment in arts and culture. This is a great example. What Victory Theatre is going to yield; what that’s going to become is just going to be so awesome,” Healey said.
Healey also announced that her administration is focused on lowering the cost of energy bills. “Standing up to utility companies, we’ll oppose any rate hikes out there. I filed energy legislation, which will reduce energy costs by $13 billion.”
Healey discussed the completion of the New England Clean Energy Connect transmission line that is now delivering affordable, stable hydropower from Canada to Massachusetts. According to mass.gov, the NECEC line will provide Massachusetts with nearly 20% of its overall electricity, deliver $3.38 billion in total net economic benefits to Massachusetts ratepayers over the life of the contracts and reduce ratepayer bills by around $50 million each year.
On the topic of health care, Healey said they are the first team to eliminate copays and deductibles for people on their health care. They also recently got rid of prior authorizations for “a whole bunch of staff.”
She explained, “If you got diabetes, you no longer have to wait for some insurance company to OK your receiving insulin. We’re trying to make it easier for people to get access to care, and we fundamentally believe in this. At a moment where the president
midway through the year, I see a lot of improvement in the classroom. I feel like a lot of my teachers are being more engaging with us, and they’re starting more conversations.”
Sahibzay said she likes how
and Congress have taken a trillion dollars out of health care, we stand here united in support of making sure that we’re doing everything we can to get health care to our residents who need it.”
When it comes to the federal administration, Healey said they will continue to look for ways to work with them, but stated, “Where the president and federal administration do things to harm people, we’re going to stand up and defend Massachusetts.”
She continued, “I’m excited about some of what we’ve been able to accomplish. We know that these are hard and challenging times. Both of us were college basketball players, so we do a little bit about taking lumps and getting back up and throwing the necessary elbow when necessary, or pick when necessary, but fundamentally, whether it’s volleyball or basketball, it’s about teamwork, and that’s the vibe we’ll continue to bring, not only
the Meeting the Moment project is bringing real-world learning into the classrooms to prepare students for life as adults. “That’s a big component that, especially as a student, I value,” she said.
In the Learning Lab, Sahibzay said she and her classmates are learning math in a more engaging way. “A lot of students, including me, struggle with math sometimes. And instead of just a teacher giving us notes, or just giving us a packet or an online activity, it’s actually more engaging. I feel our teacher is explaining in a way that everyone in the classroom can understand.”
The Learning Lab improves learning for all students she said because there’s a lot of different students in the classroom who are from different walks of life. “Everyone learns differently. My favorite thing about the Learning Lab is that it’s very inclusive. I feel like that’s what Agawam High School is all about.”
Soucy, a junior, shared his views of the “convenings” that Barr has conducted regularly with teachers and students during the project. “These are really important because we’re allowed to have a student voice, and we’re allowed to show what we’re learning in the school and how other schools can take what we’re learning,” he said.
“We can take examples from other schools and use that at Agawam High School. It’s been really awesome as a student to share my voice and hear how other stu-
ELMS COLLEGE DEAN’S LIST
to the campaign — as we seek to grow more support — but also to the that way we look to govern.”
Driscoll said she and Healey work hard to make sure the decisions they make at the State House reflect the needs of each community in Massachusetts as they continue to uplift and empower local governments.
“We can have the best policies, and I think we have a lot of them. We can make significant investments in things like housing and infrastructure, but none of that gets done unless we [have] a strong team locally,” Driscoll said. “That’s why it’s such a privilege to be serving in a time when we have the ability to work with amazing leaders, shape policies, shift resources, and do things that are going to help communities lower costs, drive high quality of life, and make Massachusetts the best place to live to raise a family [and] to come visit.”
dents have felt about change in their schools,” said Soucy. Soucy and Sahibzay also shared their experiences at the recent summit on Nov. 24. Soucy, who has been a facilitator at previous summits, said the November summit was different because there was an alumni panel.
Students were able to ask them questions about how high school prepared them for their “after high school life,” what their careers are and how that has been affected by what they learned at AHS, he said.
The summit also included parents, School Committee members and others in the community, Soucy said the summit was “important and informative” with lots of feedback. “We got a lot of good information that was really useful. We’re getting the teacher perspective as well as the student perspective in the work we’re doing.”
Sahibzay said what she liked about the November summit was the alumni panel. “It was really nice seeing the perspective of eight former Agawam students and how they felt about what we’re doing. Even though they were graduated before us, we both still had the same experiences. I liked that connection we had with them,” she said.
She added that she likes how the summit allowed a collaboration of ideas. “I believe it’s really important that we all stay united and work together. I just loved what we did.”
CHICOPEE — Elms College congratulates 60 students who graduated in December 2025. Jennifer Done Dipre of West Springfield received a master of arts in teaching, Ruslan Mukhtasimov of West Springfield received a bachelor of science and Samuel Yuzefovich of West Springfield received a bachelor of science.
Gov. Maura Healey discusses some accomplishments during her current term while at the International Volleyball Hall of Fame in Holyoke.
Reminder Publishing photo by Tyler Garnet
Agawam residents speak out against councilor’s comments
By Peter Tuohy ptuohy@thereminder.com
AGAWAM — During the Agawam City Council meeting on Feb. 17, residents used the citizen-speak time to address comments made during the discussion on municipal benefits for domestic partners on Feb. 2.
The ordinance, which was voted down by the council, would have allowed the significant others of municipal employees in domestic partnerships to be eligible for spousal benefits. Instead, Agawam employees must be married to claim benefits for their partner.
Some residents were concerned people would abuse the system by claiming an “infinite number of partners,” and some councilors addressed the financial cost of the ordinance. Councilor George Bitzas said that the matter was “black and white,” and there was no problem to solve since same sex marriage is legal, adding that municipalities that allow it are “extreme, radical, left-liberal,” and that he doesn’t want Agawam to be one of those cities.
Guy Qvistgaard spoke first and said he was there to denounce the comments because “silence is the voice of complicity.”
“In addition to the out of touch comments made during the town council and legislative committee meetings regarding extreme radical left liberals, this same councilor stated that having a domestic partnership option might even discourage people from getting
married,” Qvistgaard said. “This councilor’s partisan and offensive rhetoric has no place in our city council and this councilor should, at the very least, be censured. Agawam is currently the butt of online jokes and derision, due to one councilor’s remarks and social media posts that were defensive, ill-informed, dated and divisive. To this councilor, I say two things. First, your 1950s values have no place in 21st century Massachusetts and secondly, it’s past time for you to resign.”
Carolyn Qvistgaard spoke next and claimed that other inflammatory remarks have been made, but the meeting videos are now reportedly taken down from the Agawam Media website.
Qvistgaard also noted a Reddit thread from Feb. 6 made about the comments in the Massachusetts subreddit with over 1,000 comments. She said if the “councilor’s goal was attention, mission accomplished.”
“The problem is that this behavior makes it obvious that someone doesn’t understand younger generations, modern families or why this commentary is inappropriate coming from an elected official in 2026, representing all citizens of Agawam, and not just those that he is politically aligned with,” Qvistgaard said. “This councilor has made Agawam a laughing stock in Western Massachusetts and beyond. While I disagree with the council’s decision, I respect the way Councilors [Robert] Rossi and [Edward] Borgatti express
their concerns in a professional and inclusive manner. I ask this body to censure the councilor … and hold him accountable for violating the decorum of the town, Town Council and common decency in our community.”
Uduak Enyiema said the comments made about families and domestic partners didn’t sit well with her because it was spoken as if some families were more worthy than others.
“We’re not debating policy, we are drawing lines between people,” Enyiema said. “We are telling certain residents that their love, their commitment and their households do not measure up. In this town, families do look different. Some are married, some are not, some are led by single parents, some are grandparents raising grandchildren, some are same sex couples building a life together. All of them wake up, go to work, pay
taxes and pour into this community. When we suggest that offering equal benefits threatens tradition, what many of us hear is something else. We hear that our family is being judged. We hear that dignity is conditional.”
Enyiema said what struck her more than the comments themselves is what came after. She said there was no pause, no moment of reflection and no voice in the room to say “let us be careful how we speak about people we represent.”
“The council moved on, and silence in moments like that speaks loudly,” Enyiema said. “For those of us watching, that silence felt heavy. It felt like those words were allowed to define who we are as a town. But let me be clear, this is not about left or right. This is not about winning an argument. When we are elected to serve, we serve everyone, even those who do not look like you.”
She added that Agawam doesn’t lose anything by recognizing the dignity of every family, but they do lose something when they fail to do so.
Corlene Roberts, a 41-year Agawam resident, said that she was very bothered and that a comment of that nature is extremely divisive.
“Are we not a town of mixed political views,” Roberts said. “I was under the impression that being a member of the council is non-partisan, or at least it should be. To also address the comment stating that parents and grandparents would be upset if their family member decided not to marry and carry on the family name, as a parent and grandparent, my wish for my kids and grandkids is to be happy and healthy, not to carry on the family name. That’s an outdated way of thinking.”
AnnieMac welcomes Janna McLaughlin as new branch manager
SPRINGFIELD
— AnnieMac
Home Mortgage is pleased to announce the hiring of Janna McLaughlin as a new branch manager, strengthening the company’s growing presence across Western Massachusetts.
A longtime Western Massachusetts resident, McLaughlin has called Agawam home for more than 20 years. She is a proud mom to her daughter Chloe and son Jackson, and brings professional expertise and deep local roots to her new role.
Advancing through increasing-
ly responsible roles since 2018, McLaughlin works with buyers across the spectrum, but her specialties include helping First Time Home Buyers and working with real estate investors and self-employed borrowers with Debt Service Coverage Ratio loans. Her knowledge of these specialized programs has made her a trusted resource for clients navigating non-traditional lending scenarios.
“What keeps me going, especially in the tough moments, is seeing people’s lives change through homeownership — par-
ticularly when they didn’t think it was possible,” said McLaughlin. “Getting past barriers, finding creative solutions, and helping clients reach the finish line is what I find most gratifying.”
McLaughlin added, “I’ve seen how AnnieMac’s innovative programs and creative solutions are changing the industry, and I’m glad to be a part of it. It’s always a team effort, and I enjoy collaborating with a trusted professional network to give my clients the best experience possible.”
Angela Tourville, a fellow
branch manager of AnnieMac Momentum Group, shared her enthusiasm: “We’re thrilled to welcome Janna to our team in Western Massachusetts. Her experience, dedication to her clients, and strong community ties make her a perfect fit for AnnieMac and the borrowers we serve.”
McLaughlin concentrates her efforts in Hampshire and Hampden counties, serving clients throughout Western Massachusetts, and is also licensed in Connecticut, South Carolina, Florida and Virginia.
The Agawam City Council took public comments at its meeting on Feb. 17.
Photo credit: Agawam Media
Early figures show schools face $3.5 million budget gap
By Sarah Heinonen sheinonen@thereminder.com
WEST SPRINGFIELD — It is still in the early stages of the fiscal year 2027 budget process, but West Springfield Public Schools Chief Financial Officer Adam Tarquini provided the Town Council with a budget overview on Feb. 17. The outlook for the budget, which will take effect on July 1, is stark.
Estimated figures for state funding for schools are tentative, Tarquini said. According to the preliminary proposal by Gov. Maura Healey’s administration, foundation budgets rose statewide by an average of 4.8% but Chapter 70 state aid is expected to increase by 3.3%. Tarquini pointed out that
the proposed budget provides the legal minimum increase to Chapter 70 of $75 per pupil for 85% of districts. Last year, two-thirds of districts were slated to receive the minimum, but the Legislature stepped in to bump up the increase to amid outcry from residents, students and educators.
The number of students in West Springfield’s schools has been increasing for the past several years. This is mainly due to West Springfield’s position as a hub for resettling refugees. However, the policies of President Donald Trump have halted much of that immigration. For the first time in five years, enrollment has dropped. Losing 166 West Springfield students
will have a “huge impact” on the budget, particularly as 100 of them were considered low income, and the state weighs that as a factor in determining state aid.
A school system’s foundation budget is the minimum amount required to adequately educate its students. Tarquini explained to the councilors that a large factor in that formula used to determine a foundation budget is enrollment. Each municipality is required to contribute a minimum amount toward the budget depending on the wealth of the town as a whole. State education aid, known as Chapter 70, combined with the required district contribution is called required net school spending and
must equal or exceed the foundation budget. For the first time in five years, the required net school spending is expected to outpace the foundation budget, leaving a gap of $1.33 million.
“We’re obviously not adequately funded this year,” Tarquini said. He said a level service budget would equal $61.5 million, more than last year due to contractually obligated increases and the rising cost of expenses, including the assessment from the Lower Pioneer Valley Educational Collaborative, which provides buses for the district. However, Mayor Will Reichelt has asked for a level funded school department at $58.2 million, which will leave the town needing to make
up $3.5 million.
Councilor Brian Griffin praised Tarquini for laying out the facts, saying, “The transparency is there” and adding, “it sends a message to the public.”
Councilor Diana Coyne said, “We’re finally at that tipping point. Everything’s going to have to be on the table.”
While Tarquini said there are many ways to make up the funding and that it does not necessarily mean layoffs, he agreed, “We do have some difficult decisions.”
The School Committee will host a public budget hearing on March 10 and will vote on whether to approve it two weeks later. It will then go to the Town Council for review on April 6.
Eastern States Exposition announces employee walk of fame
WEST SPRINGFIELD
— Every great fair is built not by bricks or banners, but by people — the showmen whose work transforms empty lots into vibrant experiences shared by millions. Eastern States Exposition, producer of The Big E, hosted a press conference on Tuesday, Feb. 10, at the International Independent Showmen’s Association Museum in Riverview, Florida, announcing Showmen’s Park, a permanent walk of fame to be installed at its West Springfield fairgrounds. The initiative honors the individuals, families, organizations and businesses whose visions and work have shaped The Big E and the broader outdoor amusement industry. Riverview, Gibsonton and the Greater Tampa Bay region serve as an active hub, home and winter quarters for many of the industry’s showmen — the concessionaries, exhibitors, car-
nival and amusement operators, performers and impresarios who work at fairs throughout the country. Though essential to the American story, many of these individuals rarely receive public recognition for their contributions. The Exposition’s goal is to amend this with Showmen’s Park, which will be located south of ESE’s Coliseum, in the area that is home to North American Midway Entertainment’s Kiddieland during The Big E. Gene Cassidy, president and CEO of Eastern States Exposition; John Juliano, Jr., co-founder of Mellowship Entertainment; and Anne-Alise Pietruska, director of Marketing for Eastern States Exposition and co-founder of Mellowship Entertainment, announced the inaugural class of inductees during the press conference. In attendance were inductees, their families and representatives, industry media
and associates in the area for the National Independent Concessionaires Association Business Expo & Fare Foods Food Show, Outdoor Amusement Business Association events and the International Independent Showmen’s Association’s Gibtown Trade Show. Collective membership of these organizations exceeds 8,000.
“Eastern States Exposition has a $1.2 billion annual regional economic impact. We are one of nearly 1,400 annual fairs and fairgrounds in the United States which have a collective measured impact of more than $50 billion, according to the International Association of Fairs and Expositions,” Pietruska said during the press conference. “We outpace entire sectors of the entertainment and tourism industries. I share this to emphasize the magnitude of what this industry represents, and what ev-
eryone here contributes to. Our work fuels the economy, supports small businesses, sustains agriculture and creates jobs. Our individual impact is often far more significant than we give ourselves credit for.”
Showmen’s Park 2026 inductees named during the press conference include Johnny and Tina Doolan of Doolan Amusement Co.; Joie Chitwood, Jr. of Joie Chitwood Thrill Show; Bob Commerford of R.W. Commerford & Sons; Bob and Bea Negus of Conklin Shows; Fred Pittroff, creator and manufacturer of the Giant Slide; and North American Midway Entertainment.
Following the announcement, Juliano said, “All of these individuals, and those within NAME, have made an enduring impact on not only Eastern States Exposition and the broader industry, but on us as fair managers. They were our mentors, our friends
and set the standard for how to be best in the business.”
The unveiling of the stones at Showman’s Park will take place on opening day of The Big E, Friday, Sept. 18, on the ESE grounds.
The press event coincided with the opening of a new ESE exhibit at the IISA Museum, further underscoring the historic partnership between ESE and the showmen who have helped build generations of fair experiences. The exhibit is located on the second floor of the IISA Museum.
ESE extends a special thanks to Lee Stevens, two-time past president of the IISA and executive director of the IISA Museum; Joe Potillo, past president of the IISA and owner of Potillo Specialty Service, Inc.; Vinny Valentino of the IISA and Mellowship Entertainment; and Mike Pietruska of Design Presentations.
Continued from
When asked about the comments at the meeting, Bitzas told Reminder Publishing following the meeting “that disagreements of a policy does not justify fabricated statements,” and that he will not apologize for claims that are untrue.
“I respect all people, regardless of color, religion, ethnicity, gender or how they live their lives,”
He said most of the members of the Democratic Town Committee came to attack him because they didn’t like that the ordinance didn’t pass, referring to them as fabricators.
“They complain about, that I don’t want Agawam to be like
Bitzas said. “I welcome any honest debate. I will not accept tarnishing my reputation with false claims. They exaggerate and put words in my mouth. I never said those things.”
Cambridge and Somerville, that they are extremely liberal cities,” Bitzas said. “I want Agawam not to be, Agawam is not. Agawam is very conservative, I want Agawam to stay that way. That was to be like Cambridge, and I emphasize that again and again, and I stay behind what I said … they try to destroy my, you know, politically, to trash my reputation, to tarnish. But it’s not, I think my reputation is very, very clear. I’m proud of myself and the people know who I am.” He said the meeting video is available for anyone to watch and judge for themselves, but that the claims made against him and on a Facebook post about the comments are “misleading and all false.”
TOWN EVENTS
Please email your community listings to: dhackett@thereminder.com
Items are printed on a space available basis.
WEST SPRINGFIELD
WEST SPRINGFIELD PUBLIC LIBRARY
The following events are organized by the West Springfield Public Library, located at 200 Park St. For more information or to register for programs, visit wspl.org or call 413736-4561 ext. 4.
Children programs:
AHA
AGAWAM — The Agawam Historical Association’s commemoration of the United States Semiquincentennial continues on Thursday, March 19, when the public is invited to the Captain Charles Leonard House, 663 Main St., Agawam for the association’s spring meeting. At 6:30 p.m. that evening, actress Sheryl Faye will perform her new multimedia live show “Abigail Adams — Liberty & Legacy,” and bring Adams’ words, wit and wisdom vividly to life for modern audiences. Blending live performance, immersive multimedia, original music and visual design, Liberty and Legacy reintroduces
www.TheReminder.com
Lego Creations (for ages 5-8)
— Tuesday, March 3 from 3:30-4:30 p.m. What does the “March Madness challenge” challenge inspire you to create with Legos?
• Take It and Make It (for ages 2-5 with adult help) — Wednesday, March 4 starting at 9 a.m., Drop by the library to pick up the materials and directions for making a fun craft. No registration required, while supplies last.
Lego Club (for ages 9-12) — Thursday, March 5 from 3:304:30 p.m.. The challenge this month is “March Madness challenge.”
• Bluey Party (for ages 3-10)
Saturday, March 7 from 1011:30 a.m. Enjoy games, crafts and fun with Bluey and Bingo. Space is almost full for this event. Adult and teen programs: • Adult Board Game Night — Wednesday, March 4 at 6:30 p.m. You asked for it! The WSPL is bringing back adult board games night! Bring a group or come to make some new friends in the spirit of warmhearted competition. Games provided by WSPL may include small pieces; intended for ages 13 and up. Registration encouraged. It’s Elementary! Rediscovered Sherlock Holmes Silent Movie
to Live Music by Jeff Rapsis — Saturday, March 7 at 2 p.m. The first-ever movie adaptation of “Sherlock Holmes,” a silent film released in 1916 and recently rediscovered, featuring live accompaniment by Jeff Rapsis, a New Hampshire-based composer who specializes in creating music for silent films. The film has since been restored, allowing movie-goers to again see the only screen appearance of stage actor William Gillette, who originated the role of Sherlock Holmes in a popular stage adaptation of Arthur Conan Doyle’s tales of the legendary British detective. Registration encouraged.
Abigail Adams not simply as a founder’s wife, but as a fearless political thinker, advocate for women’s rights and moral compass during the American Revolution and the birth of a nation. Through Adams’ own letters and writings—paired with contemporary staging and technology — the show invites audiences to experience her enduring relevance in conversations about liberty, equality, leadership and civic responsibility. This event is free and open to the public. Other semiquincentennial events planned by the Agawam Historical Association include the dedication of Agawam’s Liberty Tree at the Thomas Smith
House on 19 April; presentation of George Baker’s “Meet John Adams — A Lively and Revolutionary Conversation with America’s Second President” on May 28; U.S. Semiquincentennial Observance & Celebration at the Thomas Smith House on July 4; “The Noble Train Arrives” Henry Knox 250th commemoration and demonstration with live oxen from Fort Ticonderoga on Aug. 1; Sept. 12 presentation by master stone carver and gravestone conservator Randall Nelson about his work carving replicas of badly deteriorated gravestones of Revolutionary War veterans as replacements for the original stones;
Local students invited to compete in Stop the Swerve contest
SPRINGFIELD — Hampden
District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni is inviting high school students across Hampden County to take part in the 2026 Stop the Swerve Public Service Announcement and Billboard Challenge, a countywide initiative aimed at raising awareness about the dangers of impaired and distracted driving.
The contest challenges students to create original PSAs and/or billboard designs that deliver powerful, prevention-focused messages about safe driving. Submissions will be reviewed by a panel selected by the Hampden District Attorney’s Office, with first-, second- and third-place awards presented in both categories.
Winning schools will receive:
• First place: $2,500
• Second place: $1,000 Third place: $500 Prize money is awarded directly to the winning students’ schools to support educational or school-based initiatives. In past years, award funds have been used for items such as classroom technology and student presentation equipment.
In addition to monetary awards, winning PSAs will air on 22News, and the select-
ed billboard submission will have the opportunity to be displayed on one of Lamar Advertising’s digital billboards in Hampden County.
“This program gives students a real voice in preventing tragedies before they happen,” said Gulluni. “By creating messages for their peers, students are helping shape safer behaviors and stronger communities.”
All submissions must consist of original student-created content and be approved and submitted by a designated adult representative at each school. Schools may submit multiple entries, though each submission requires its own entry form. The submission deadline is March 20.
Contest winners will be recognized during the Stop the Swerve prevention event, taking place on Thursday, April 2 at 5:30 p.m. at the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield. The event is free and open to all Hampden County parents and driving-age students, and will feature a locally produced documentary examining the real-world impact of impaired and distracted driving, along with interactive safety activities such as driving simulators and impairment-goggle exercises.
Eligible high school students in attendance will also have the opportunity to enter a raffle for free driving school tuition.
More information about the contest, submission guidelines, and the Stop the Swerve event can be found at hampdenda.com. The public Facebook event page is available at: facebook.com/ share/189Cm6LEZm/.
3 Day Tropicana Resort In
and presentation of “Who Made the Gravestones in Agawam’s Old Burying Grounds” which will also mention gravestones of Revolutionary War veterans buried in Agawam, by Bob Drinkwater, on Oct. 15. Eighteenth century encampments and living history demonstrations by the 25th Continental Regiment will be featured at the Thomas Smith House on July 4, and Oct. 10. Information about these, and other Agawam Historical Association events planned for 2026, can be found at agawamhistory. org and the Agawam Historical Association’s Instagram and Facebook pages.
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
Cole Gendron from Agawam dribbles past East Longmeadow’s Bryce Stula.
Agawam’s Ryker Lentes and Logan Curtin box out East Longmeadow’s Bryce Stula.
Ryker Lentes passes to the low post.
Gavin Mercier tries the scoop shot as Cormac Byrne defends.
Kevin Sullivan led Agawam with 16 points.
Declan Kane from Agawam drives through EL defenders Mo Chin (L) and Jacob Romano.
BASKETBALL
Cole Smith takes the short jump shot for Agawam.
Daniel Mascarenhas (L) takes the ball to the basket against EL’s Zion Jean-Michel.
Jack Ryan tracks down the loose ball.
Logan Curtin looks to score despite the defense by EL’s Mo Chin.
Negotiator confident that literacy reforms within reach
By Ella Adams State House News Service
BOSTON — Lawmakers are “aligned with a lot of things” on literacy education changes, the Senate’s chief negotiator said on Feb. 18 as it tries to finalize the Legislature’s reform approach.
Sen. Sal DiDomenico of Everett said the formal negotiation process for the House and Senate bills addressing literacy education will start “in the next couple weeks” as advocates at the State House again rang the alarm of the urgency to address declining reading proficiency in Massachusetts.
“There aren’t a lot of substantial differences between the two bills. So hopefully we can get this done in a quick manner when it comes to conference committees,” DiDomenico told the News Service.
Bills approved by the House and Senate would require districts to adopt literacy curricula in five
researched-based areas in reading instruction: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension.
The Senate bill (S 2940) puts $25 million toward a new early literacy fund to support districts as they purchase curricula and provide professional development for teachers. The House bill (H 4683) does not include a funding transfer, but bans certain teaching methods that rely on visual memorization of words and using context and picture clues, also known as “three-cueing.”
The Senate bill does not explicitly ban three-cueing.
National Council on Teacher Quality President Heather Peske named teacher preparation programs included in the House bill, along with requirements for “high quality” teacher curriculum vetted by the state, as provisions she thinks should be in the final legislation. Boston Arts Academy reading specialist Michael Phaneuf also stressed the impor-
tance of ongoing training for educators about how to implement new curricula.
DiDomenico and Rep. Ken Gordon of Bedford will chair the negotiations, and DiDomenico said they have not determined when they’ll begin meeting. Sens. Jason Lewis of Winchester and Patrick O’Connor of Weymouth, and Reps. Simon Cataldo of Concord and John Marsi of Spencer have also been tapped as negotiators.
The Massachusetts Teachers Association has raised issue with the reforms in play. While the union said on Jan. 27 that it was “pleased to see improvements to the bill that was passed by the House, including the removal of language banning specific instructional practices in our classrooms,” it “remains concerned that any mandated curriculum will inevitably leave behind some students who are struggling with reading.”
Others have pointed to in-
Every
AGAWAM
Steven
FEEDING HILLS
creased reading proficiency in states that have passed curricula initiatives based around the “science of reading.” There was a 3.5 percentage point increase in reading proficiency in New York City as a result and increases in some southern states, according to the group Educators for Excellence.
“Louisiana and Mississippi are states that have been leading what we call the southern surge. And I will tell you — I talked to some legislators about it three years ago who said, ‘Heather, are you kidding me? You want me to think about Mississippi? We’re Massachusetts,’” Peske recalled.
“But the fact of the matter is, folks, that we’ve done the projections in terms of the data, and if we don’t make the drastic changes that are needed, we are on a declining pace, and Mississippi is on an increase,” she continued. “Guess when we collide? 2028.”
A presentation on Wednesday based on 2025 MCAS results showed that 68% of third graders in Massachusetts aren’t proficient readers; 79% of English learners in fourth grade scored “not meeting expectations” in English language arts; and 38% of fifth graders are proficient readers.
“Six out of 10 kids in third grade are not reading at grade level. Something is wrong here,” DiDomenico said. “I will make sure that we protect all the good things that we put in our bill and add some good things the House did as well. I know some teacher preparation stuff you’re talking about as well, and I know
three-cueing is a big issue for a lot of folks, as it is for us.”
DiDomenico in January spoke on the Senate floor about his son’s struggle to learn to read with dyslexia. Mass Reads Coalition’s Jill Norton added her experience Wednesday. Despite special help beginning in kindergarten, the difficulty her son had learning to read impacted his desire to want to go to school and his mental health.
“He started referring to himself as the dumbest kid in the class starting in second grade, and then by third, he was saying, maybe it’d be better if he weren’t here. And so that’s when we were like, ‘This is an emergency,’” Norton said. Even though she got him tutoring and additional teaching support, Norton had to pull him out of his school in fourth grade and put him into a school that focused on teaching students with evidence-based approaches.
“This is a child that could learn to read if given the right strategies and instruction,” Norton said. “This legislation will protect kids like him, but it also protects their families and parents from having to be monitoring their kids’ education at that level and making decisions that have financial implications to pull them out, to get them what they deserve and are owed in the typical public schools.”
Ella Adams is a reporter for the State House News Service and State Affairs Massachusetts. Reach her at ella.adams@statehousenews.com.
DINING ENTERTAINMENT
Local independent film production company Xposse Productions will release its new psychological thriller, “Dark Places,” on March 14 at Agawam Cinemas.
Written and directed by Geno McGahee, the film centers on college student Natalie Parker, who is managing anxiety and social challenges while navigating a new relationship with fellow student Jason Evans. When two professors are murdered, the pair become entangled in a confrontation with a satanic cult as they work to uncover those responsible.
The film is produced by Rick Caride, Matt Hebert, Eric Michaelian, Brent Northup, Lorrie Bacon and McGahee, with Gregory Hatanaka of Cinema Epoch serving as executive producer. McGahee also operates the horror review website ScaredStiffReviews.com, which he founded in 2006.
The ensemble cast includes Lindsey DeLand, Jake Whit-
lock, Lorrie Bacon, Phil Godek, Eric Michaelian and Gabbi Mendelsohn.
Following its theatrical release, “Dark Places” is expected to be made available on streaming platforms including Tubi, Fawesome and Amazon Prime Video. Ticket information for the Agawam Cinemas screening will be available through the theater.
Lumos Experience candlelight concert
St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Longmeadow will host a Lumos Experience concert titled Step Into the Glow: A Vivaldi & Mozart Candlelight Experience on Friday, March 27.
The 60-minute performance will feature an ensemble of violin, viola and cello performing selections by Vivaldi and Mozart in a candlelit setting. Seating is limited to maintain an intimate atmosphere.
All tickets must be purchased in advance at lumosex-
periences.com.
‘Hope and Glory’ production
On Saturday, Feb. 28, at 4 p.m., Young@Heart and Hope Center for the Arts will present “Hope and Glory,” a show that will combine the hope for the future as represented by the Hope Center’s students, faculty and staff at the newly renovated center in Springfield. The “lory represents the life and times of the recently deceased Evelyn Harris, who was a member of Young@ Heart for the last 2 1/2 years of her life.
Special guests for the show will include:
Members of Sweet Honey in the Rock, an all-female, African American a cappella ensemble that started in 1973. They are a three-time Grammy Award-nominated troupe who express their history as Black women through song, dance and sign language. Harris was a member of the group from 1974-1992.
Yasmeen Betty Williams, an American gospel singer and former member of the Sweet Honey in the Rock from 1976 to 1986. After meeting in Sweet Honey in the ‘70s, Williams remained Harris’ close friend
for the remainder of her life. Kayla Staley, the director of vocal ensemble at the Hope Center’s after school. Buy tickets at the Hope Center website, hopecenterforthearts. org/events/youngatheart.
Provisions Picks: Cotes-du-Rhone from the French Rhone valley
“What should I bring to dinner?” It’s a question that customers often ask us here at Provisions. In a perfect world, one can pair the wine to the food being served, but we may not always know what to expect as a guest. No one wants to commit a faux pas by bringing something that clashes with the food, and that’s where our favorite safe bet red wine comes in: Cotes-du-Rhone.
The Rhone valley lies in eastern France just south of Burgundy, and the region has a long history of winemaking dating back to the 600s BC. The region is generally separated into two sections: the northern Rhone, where single varietal Syrah reigns supreme, and the warmer southern Rhone, where blends of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre dominate the production. The south contains many prestigious appellations for these blends, most notably Chateauneuf-du-Pape an area promoted from obscurity to prestige during the Avignon Papacy. The overwhelming quantity of wine, however, comes in the form of the humble Cotesdu-Rhone and Cotes-du-Rhone Village appellations, which together account for more than half of the Rhone’s wine production. Literally translating to “hills of the Rhone,” these wines are produced throughout the south, and what they lack in prestige they make up for in quality, approachability and value.
Always a red blend, Cotes-duRhone reds consist mostly of Grenache, a friendly and fruit-forward variety boasting high levels of ripeness and generally lower levels of tannin when grown in the lower altitude areas of the region. The blend is completed with Syrah, adding spice and tannin, and Mourvedre, which contributes earthy notes and inky color. This trifecta works so well together that you’ll see the combination used in wines of many other warm climate wine regions of the world, including California, Australia, and South Africa. Together, these three varieties yield a wine that is medium bodied, dry, moderate to low tannin and food friendly with notes of berries and herbs. These wines pair great with chicken, burgers,
pork dishes, hearty stews and most anything savory, but more importantly for the purposes of this article, they’re unlikely to clash with whatever your host may be cooking. So next time you’re running to the store for a bottle before a dinner party grab one of our favorites below.
Domaine La Manarine Cotesdu-Rhone Rouge ($19.99): Located in the southernmost tip of the region, La Manarine are meticulous organic farmers and take a hands off approach to winemaking, preferring to let the grapes speak for themselves. Their rouge is a somewhat rare example of a 100% Grenache Cotesdu-Rhone, and as a result it offers a great deal of aromatic fruit along with a pleasant amount of herbal spice. A lush and delicious
crowd pleaser. Clos du Mont-Olivet Vielles Vignes Cotes-du-Rhone Rouge ($24.99): The Sabon family have been making the wines of Mont-Olivet since 1932 and are great example of a traditional producer that isn’t afraid of new techniques. This wine is produced from three organically farmed parcels of 40-plus year old vines and primarily ages in a mix of concrete and old wood, allowing the wine to breath and develop without imparting substantial oak flavor. This wine is the biggest of the bunch, offering more tannin,
earth and spice due to the age of the vines and the higher portion of Syrah and Mourvedre.
La Cabotte Cotes-du-Rhone Colline ($19.99): Grown in a higher altitude, cooler area of the region, this blend of Grenache and Syrah is farmed biodynamically by the d’Ardhuy-Plumet family. In the cellar, the wine is fermented and briefly aged in stainless steel with an eye towards preserving the grapes’ natural fruit and acidity. Medium-bodied, aromatic and bright enough to cut through fattier cuisine.
