AGAWAM PACK & SHIP
AGAWAM | FEEDING HILLS | WEST SPRINGFIELD
MARCH 5, 2026 | FREE
IN THIS EDITION
AGAWAM
Boba tea and ice cream shop Bestea Scoop to open in plaza
A new boba tea and ice cream shop is coming to Agawam in the plaza that currently houses Agawam Cinemas and Geissler’s Supermarket. Page 3
Perron announces campaign for state representative
Jason M. Perron has announced he is running for the 3rd Hampden District seat in the House of Representatives.
Page 3
DINING & ENTERTAINMENT
Agawam Cinemas to premiere new cult horror movie ‘Dark Places’
On March 14, the local independent film production company Xposse Productions will be premiering “Dark Places” at Agawam Cinemas at 7 p.m.
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Architect gives sneak peek of new AHS project
By Mike Lydick Correspondent
AGAWAM — The School Committee recently got a detailed sneak preview of what the new two-story, state of the art high school will look like when completed in 2028.
Meeting Feb. 24 in the community room at the town library — just steps away from where the new high school’s community wing is rising out of the ground — the committee first watched a virtual video tour narrated by Mayor Chris Johnson showing what the exterior and interior of the school will look like.
The new school will feature academic pods, sloped roofs, and a community wing with a new auditorium and cafeteria. Exterior safety measures include a loop road, key card access and a secure courtyard.
Following the video, Kent Kovacs, principal architect at Flansburgh Architects, used a series of slides to go through some of the interior areas. The slides depicted what the academic pods will look like as well as some of the major areas in the community wing.
He told the committee that the images on the screen were the result of years of gathering input about the new school’s interior spaces. “We had teachers. We had students in here. It was really exciting,” he said. “We came to derive what’s the best ideas -what do we need for Agawam in the future?”
Kovacs said it’s “incredibly exciting” to actually see a “very
robust” community center being built. “We love this part of the process. It’s all going to be state of the art, new and purpose built and built to the code.” He said students will be in an environment where they can learn, with full air conditioning,
Portions of the community wing will have locker rooms, physical education areas with a fitness center. Special education offices are also embedded in this wing. The auditorium, cafeteria and woodworking and advanced manufacturing will shift to the community wing and be ready for teachers and students in January 2027.
Kovacs said there’s 2,500 square feet to do the loop around the existing building. “That’s a lot of travel time. We had a student say it takes five minutes to
get from one side of the building to the other. This building fixes that.”
That was the one of the impetuses for creating academic pods in the new school. “You have a large building, but you want to break down the scale.
Students and teachers embraced it, saying they wanted academic pods where the students feel special, where they feel recognized, where the work that they’re doing is on display and recognized.”
At the very beginning of the design process, Kovacs said teachers and students said they didn’t want long corridors with classroom after classroom. “That’s not the way you learn today. You learn in neighborhoods. You learn in collaborative spaces, where you get the most out of teachers converging on space,” he said.
The new building will feature three academic pods — each one of which Kovacs said is “a beautiful collaborative space.” In addition, there will be satellite media centers that are also major spaces. “Everywhere you pass in this building, you’re going to see the great work students will be doing,” he said.
More time was spent during the visioning sessions on the academic pods to find out what “teachers needed to make their jobs be the most effective and get the most out of students,” said Kovacs. Instead of long corridors with 20 classrooms, the pods will be a center of learning, with classrooms off of them.
“Teachers can build off the projects they’re working on.
Kent Kovacs, principal architect at Flansburgh Architects, told the School Committee during a sneak preview of the new AHS that it will be “uniquely Agawam,” with New England style pitched roofs and academic pods.
Reminder Publishing photo by Mike Lydick
See AHS PROJECT on page 8
STRM: Gionfriddo and Sullivan discuss the upcoming Big Broadcast
By Tyler Garnet tgarnet@thereminder.com
SOUTH HADLEY — On the latest episode of “So That Reminds Me,” hosts Ryan Feyre and Dennis Hackett sat down with Mount Holyoke College Jazz Ensemble Director Mark Gionfriddo and Maureen Sullivan, who handles public relations for the Big Broadcast, to discuss the upcoming event on Saturday, March 7. According to the organizers, performances for the event are at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. in Chapin Auditorium at Mount Holyoke College, 50 College St.
This year marks the 21st year of the showcase, which Gionfriddo started because he thought it would be fun to do something “a little bit different.”
“We were noticing that there was really nothing like this around, and especially for a college jazz program to put something like this on is really kind of unusual right from the bottom up of writing the whole thing and costuming it, and they do the hair and the makeup and all of that stuff,” he said.
Gionfriddo, who is reprising his role as bandleader “Matt Morgan,” and the college’s jazz ensembles are polishing the best Big Band songs, solos and commercials from the 1940s.
“It’s kind of our idea of what it would be like to be in the audience of a 1940s radio variety show; this one particularly happening at a remote location,” Gionfriddo said when describing the show.
The idea was conceived after
students approached Gionfriddo about how the theater department at the college only conducts a musical every four years. They asked if he ever thought of doing a semi-theatrical production.
Gionfriddo used to produce a show with a cabaret group in the 1990s called “Puttin on the Ritz,” which was a fictitious radio variety show that took place at a radio station where singers would appear as “stars” of that era to sing on the air.
After he began directing in the Jazz program at Mount Holyoke College in 1999, Gionfriddo said he felt like himself, and his students were ready to take on a similar project. The Jazz Ensembles produced the first “Big Broadcast” in 2006.
Regarding the location of the broadcast, Gionfriddo said Chapin Auditorium looks “very, very period.” He later found out that The Glenn Miller Band performed on the same stage as the Big Broadcast in February 1939.
The Glenn Miller Band and Andrew Sisters are two bands that Gionfriddo says he focuses on for the production, among other artists of the time period.
Besides the music from the 1940s, Mount Holyoke College students help write the show, including the introductions and outros for TV22 meteorologist Brian Lapis, who emcees as “Fred Kelly.” The students also select period commercials and news stories from the period for the production.
Gionfriddo mentioned how it is a great way for the students to learn about music and stories
FITCHBURG STATE UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT’S LIST
Fitchburg State President Donna Hodge has announced the students who qualified for inclusion on the president’s list for the fall 2025 semester. The President’s List honors students for consistently high academic achievement. A student is named to the list after achieving a 3.75 average in each of three successive semesters. Sera N. Gagnon of Agawam was named to the list.
from the 1940s.
During the first few years of the show, he said a majority of the crowd were those who grew up in the time period of the 1940s and 1950s, but as the years have gone on, more students have attended the performance, with some expressing interest in helping.
Sullivan talked about the audience and atmosphere from the past few years, sharing, “I have to say that over the years being in the front of the house that people, when they come in, that they’re just in such great moods. People are happy to be there, and it’s always a great audience.”
She added, “Some of these songs from the Great American Songbook have been done by a lot of artists over the years, so I think that younger people would be surprised to hear some of them and realize, ‘oh actually I know that song.’”
Gionfriddo also talked about
why the focus of the production is on the 1940s. “We like the [1940s] because big hairstyles, and there was a lot of stuff going on,” he stated. “Obviously it’s very, very different from contemporary times, so it’s very interesting because some of the student, they’re kind of like, ‘oh, wow there’s a lot of stereotyping, there’s a lot of provincial, some of it is rather offensive,’ but they all understand that it’s kind of a historical piece, like a typical theatre piece.”
At the beginning of the program, the Big Broadcast makes sure to note that they are not glorifying or promoting the themes of the time period, according to Gionfriddo.
Tickets are available at the Odyssey Book Shop in South Hadley, and online at mhc.ludus. com and at the door.
To hear the full episode, visit thereminder.com/our-podcast or search “So That Reminds Me” on your favorite podcasting platform.
LOCAL STUDENTS NAMED TO DEAN’S LISTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY
The following local students have been named to a variety of dean’s lists across the country.
Siena University
Siena University named Adrianna Alfano and Shannon Kosior of West Springfield to the dean’s list for the Fall 2025 semester.
Tufts University
Tufts University recently announced the dean’s list for the fall 2025 semester. Dean’s list honors at Tufts University require a semester grade point average of 3.4 or greater. Dom Balise and Tom Li of West Springfield were named to the list.
Simmons University
The following local residents have been named to the 2025 fall semester dean’s list at Simmons University. Hatice Kaplan of Agawam; and Sophia Gill and Selma Rahmanof Feeding Hills were named to the list.
Fairfield University
The following Fairfield University students received dean’s list honors for the fall 2025 semester. In order to be placed on the Dean’s List, students must have completed a minimum of 12 credit hours in a semester, have no outstanding or incomplete grades for that semester, and have attained a semester grade point average of 3.50 or better. Abigail Colson, Kaitlin Hanifan and Emily Phillips of West Springfield were named to the list.
Fitchburg State University
Fitchburg State President Donna Hodge has announced the students who qualified for inclusion on the dean’s list for the fall 2025 semester. A student is placed on the Dean’s List for the semester if an average grade of 3.20 or better is attained, and the student is attending the university full time. Niko D. Nuzzolilli of Feeding Hills was named to the list.
Maureen Sullivan (front left) Mark Gionfriddo (back left) sits down with “So That Reminds Me” hosts Ryan Feyre and Dennis Hackett. Reminder Publishing photo by Tyler Garnet
Boba tea and ice cream shop Bestea Scoop to open in plaza
By Sarah Heinonen sheinonen@thereminder.com
AGAWAM — A new boba tea and ice cream will soon be open for business at 822 Suffield St. Standing on its own in the parking lot of the plaza that houses Geissler’s Supermarket and Agawam Cinemas, is a small white storefront with a patio in front, surrounded by white concrete planters. Four pink gazebos cast shade over colorful tables and chairs. Inside is a stainless-steel counter filled with ice cream flavors, including vegan options. At the back counter, the various flavors of tea sit along the wall. A set of stools line the window for people to relax inside with their drinks or ice cream.
This is BesTea Scoop. Co-owner Ken Van talked excitedly about the idea of a shop specializing in boba tea and ice cream. “There’s not boba tea around here, but it’s really popular,” he said. He said the business will also offer matcha tea and “maybe snacks in the future.”
Van is confident in the local market for boba tea. His sister and brother-in-law opened Joy Cup in East Longmeadow about a year ago. “They were the guinea pigs,” he said smiling. Now, it is time for him, his wife, his other sisters and brother-in-law to open a shop of their own. Van’s family has a long history of owning and operating small businesses. “We used to have a pho restaurant in Windsor Locks,”
Connecticut, Van said. His relatives also own a nail salon.
The Suffield Street property was formerly a Pride gas station but had been closed for several years. Van said the building was “run down” and needed to be completely refurbished, and they had to remove the gas pump canopy. Planning began in April 2025, and construction started five months later. “It’s just like how we wanted it to be,” he said.
Van said he is excited about opening a business in Agawam.
“We fell in love with the town,” Van said, pointing to a poster-sized black-and-white image of Main Street. BesTea Scoop will host its grand opening by the end of March. “We’re going to have a lion dance,” Van said,
referring to a traditional Vietnamese tradition.
“People have been so excit-
Jason Perron announces campaign for state representative
By Cliff Clark cclark@thereminder.com
SOUTHWICK — Jason M. Perron, Air Force veteran, career law enforcement officer, and former Southwick Select Board member and chair, has announced he is running for the 3rd Hampden District seat in the House of Representatives.
“The people of this district deserve representation that puts people over party,” Perron said in his announcement. “Too often, decisions made at the State House feel disconnected from the real lives of the people they affect — especially out here in Western Massachusetts.”
Perron is running as an Independent because he believes voters deserve representation that is focused on people, not party politics.
He joins Democrat Tom Hendrickson in a bid to claim the seat of Republican incumbent state Rep. Nicholas Boldyga, who didn’t return a message to indicate whether he will be seeking reelection.
Perron has spent nearly three decades in public service as an Air Force veteran, a career law enforcement officer and a former Southwick Select Board member.
“My years in the Air Force and as a police officer provided
AGAWAM — Staff from Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni’s Community Safety and Outreach Unit visited Agawam’s Benjamin Phelps Elementary School on Wednesday, Feb. 4, to deliver the office’s NetSmartz and Social Media & Gaming Safety presentations, emphasizing the importance of safe online use.
CSO was joined by five members of the Hampden District Attorney’s Youth Advisory Board — high school students from across Hampden County dedicated to leadership and community engagement – to lead the presentations, while engaging and encouraging students to participate through helpful hints and discussion questions.
The Youth Advisory Board members included Nayeli Made, a junior at Springfield Central High School; Gabrielle Gebo, a senior at Agawam High School; Branden Atimbo, a senior at Pope Francis Preparatory School; Yanira Rodriguez, a sophomore at Springfield Honors Academy; and Demetrius Holmes, a sophomore at Minnechaug Regional High School.
The first presentation of the day, NetSmartz, was as an interactive presentation for grades 1-3, consisting of internet and real-world safety concepts.
During the presentation, the Youth Advisory Board members took turns sharing information
me with examples of great leadership,” he said. “It taught me that leadership is earned through discipline, accountability, and service — not titles.”
“Standing my ground and doing what was right in negotiations wasn’t always pleasant or comfortable,” Perron said. “But leadership means making difficult choices and seeing them through.”
Perron said Western Massachusetts deserves a representative who shows up consistently in every community — not just during election season.
He racked up a string of accomplishments while serving on the Select Board, including spearheading the effort to establish the municipal aggregation program in Southwick.
He also brought forth proposed zoning and policy changes to support responsible economic development and authored the town’s flag policy to prevent constitutional and civil rights conflicts.
His decision to run came from something he has believed for a long time: he is not the type of person who can sit back and complain, he said.
“I listened to people say for years that they weren’t getting what they needed from government,” he said. “But I also watched election cycles go by where almost nobody stepped
and entertaining videos to the group of more than 200 students, ranging from password safety to the importance of telling a trusted adult when feeling sad, scared or confused.
The second presentation, Social Media & Gaming Safety, was for fourth graders, and highlighted the important safety rules when connecting on social media and playing games online.
“Internet safety isn’t optional for young people today – it’s essential,” said Gulluni. “Our NetSmartz and Social Media & Gaming Safety presentations work hand in hand to give young people the knowledge they need to navigate today’s digital world safely. The goal isn’t to scare the students, but to empower
up to run and do better. When the last election cycle went by, and there was only one candidate, that’s when I really started thinking seriously about whether I should do this.”
Perron compares this campaign to the biggest “firsts” in his life — Southwick High School as the new kid, basic training, becoming a police officer, husband, father and serving on the Select Board.
“Every one of those moments forced me to learn, grow and earn it,” he said. “And I walked into the Select Board the same way — learning and growing — and I proved to myself that I am capable.”
Perron said his campaign will focus on cost-of-living, energy costs, government transparency, fair funding for Western Massachusetts and practical public safety policy.
“Massachusetts has become one of the most expensive places in the country to live,” Perron said. “Families are getting squeezed from every direction — energy, housing, healthcare, taxes and everyday costs. We need a representative who understands what it’s like to live here, work here, raise a family here and fight for this region to get its fair share.”
“I answer to the people of this district,” Perron said. “And I’ll work with anyone — Republican,
them with the tools and awareness to protect their safety, their reputation, and their future.”
The NetSmartz and Social Media & Gaming Safety presentations are two of many free programs the Hampden District Attorney’s Office offers to promote education, prevention, and youth empowerment across the county. The office regularly collaborates with schools and community partners to support the health and safety of young people. The office’s internet safety presentations reached 4,182 elementary students in Hampden County in 2025.
For more information about NetSmartz or the Social Media & Gaming Safety presentations, or to request a presentation at
Democrat, or Independent — if it helps our towns and our region.”
Perron lived in Blandford as a child, attended Gateway Regional schools, graduated from Southwick High School, lived in Granville, lived in Southwick from 1990 to 1993 before joining the Air Force, spent more than 20 years living in Westfield raising his family and serving the public, and returned to Southwick in 2019.
“I’m not running against any-
one,” Perron said. “I’m running for the people of this district.”
The 3rd Hampden district includes parts of Agawam and Feeding Hills and the towns of Southwick, Granville, Blandford, Tolland, Russell, Montgomery, Huntington, Chester and Middlefield.
For more information about Perron, visit candidates. goodparty.org/jperronfor3rdhampden or email him at jason14xxx@gmail.com.
ed,” Van said. “It’s just going to be a nice place.”
Former Select Board Chair Jason Perron announced he is running to represent the 3rd Hampden District in the House of Representatives. Reminder Publishing file photo
Ken Van, co-owner of Bestea Scoop, stands behind the counter of the boba tea and ice cream shop.
Reminder Publishing photo by Sarah Heinonen
WEST SPRINGFIELD — West
Springfield’s Majestic Theater has announced that its Torch Song Tuesday program has received funding in part by a $3,000 grant from the West Springfield Cultural Council, which is funded by the Mass Cultural Council, according to Managing Director Terence LaCasse.
Torch Song Tuesday is a cabaret-style intimate performance
HOLYOKE — Patricia Samra, of West Springfield and Cambridge, a recently retired health care executive, has been appointed to the Holyoke Community College Board of Trustees by Gov. Maura Healey.
that typically takes place once a month in the 70-seat Majestic Theater Café. Guests enjoy a three-piece band fronted by a different extraordinary vocalist, performing blues and jazz classics, along with some unexpected song selections. The ticket price of $38 includes light charcuterie and desserts, while the café’s wines, beers, and other beverages are available for purchase.
Until 2025, Samra, a master’s level registered nurse, was the vice president of HR Operations and Total Rewards at Baystate Health in a career that began with the Springfield-based healthcare organization in 1986. Over 40 years, she served two 14-year stints at Baystate, starting as a registered nurse before moving into human resources.
AGAWAM — Braman Termite & Pest Elimination is proud to announce that Natasha Wright, the company’s entomologist and technical director, has been named the 2026 Women of Excellence Award recipient by the New England Pest Management Association.
This international honor recognizes women who advance the pest management industry every day. The award celebrates leaders who have made notable contributions to the development and growth of the profession, their businesses and other women in the industry.
“Training has always been the foundation of our success,” said Gerald Lazarus, president of Braman Termite & Pest Elimination. “Natasha embodies our commitment to pride, honesty and quality. Her scientific knowledge strengthens our team, supports our customers and elevates the entire organization. We are incredibly proud of her and grateful for the value she brings to Braman every day.”
Wright was honored at an award dinner on March 4 in Marl-
borough, and recognized at PestWorld later this year.
Wright’s path into pest management began with a deep interest in entomology. She earned her bachelor’s degree in entomology from the University of Florida and her master’s degree in entomology from the University of Arkansas. She is also a board-certified entomologist through the Entomological Society of America.
At Braman, Wright plays a critical role in maintaining the company’s longstanding commitment to training and scientific excellence. She trains new and veteran technicians on pest biology, behavior and identification, prepares them for state licensing exams and provides continuing education credits. She also educates clients and the public on pest prevention and control strategies.
Her expertise extends beyond the classroom. Wright is known for her skill in identifying pests from limited evidence — including fragments, droppings and unclear smartphone photographs — helping ensure accurate diagnosis and effective treatment recommendations.
“As a cornerstone of the West Springfield community, we are extremely grateful that the city of West Springfield has a cultural council that supports so many arts organizations here in town. Their choice to fund the artists contributing to Torch Song Tuesdays, our monthly candlelit cabaret in the Majestic Cafe, allows us to enhance our programming, all the while ensuring that our tickets are affordable and
accessible,” noted LaCasse. Upcoming Torch Song Tuesday performances were announced and include:
Caelie Scott Flanagan on Tuesday, March 10, at 7:30 p.m.
• Kait Rankins on Tuesday, April 28, at 7:30 p.m.
• Chelsie Nectow on Tuesday, May 19, at 7:30 p.m. Flanagan, Rankins and Nectow have delighted theater-goers in numerous Majestic plays
including “The Marvelous Wonderettes,” “9 to 5,” “Bright Star,” “Waitress,” “Home for the Holidays” and “The Importance of Being Earnest,” among others. Tickets for the Torch Song Tuesday performances are $38 and are available for purchase by calling the Majestic Theater box office at 413-747-7797 or ordering online at majestictheater.com/torch-song-tuesday
Samra attended her first HCC Board of Trustees meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 24.
“I believe community colleges are powerful engines for equity and transformation,” she said. “Serving on the HCC
Before returning to Baystate for her second stint in 2006, she worked for nine years as an independent health care consultant for the Dix Consulting Group in Portland Maine. She holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing and a master’s degree in nursing administration from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Board of Trustees will allow me to bring my experience, values-driven leadership ,and commitment to expanding pathways that help every student succeed.” Her term runs through March 1, 2029.
Natasha Wright Reminder Publishing submitted
Moulton would focus on affordability, abolishing ICE
By Sarah Heinonen sheinonen@thereminder.com
SPRINGFIELD — U.S. Rep.
Seth Moulton wants the Pioneer Valley to know that he has a plan.
Moulton, who is running to unseat U.S. Sen. Ed Markey this fall, visited three cities in the Pioneer Valley as part of a listening tour. The Feb. 20 stops in Holyoke, Springfield and Westfield gave Moulton a chance to present himself to voters outside of the 6th District, which includes Salem, Gloucester and Andover. Roughly 35 people gathered at Socialite Coffee Bar in Springfield to hear Moulton’s positions and share their concerns.
“I don’t think we can afford to wait six more years for new leadership,” Mouton told them. While he said that he had “great respect” for Markey, he added, “There comes a time to pass the torch to a new generation.” Markey was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1976, two years before Moulton was born. He has served in the Senate since 2013. Moulton was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2014.
Moulton laid out the issues he sees in the country. “There’s really two Americas,” he said. “There’s an America for the wealthy and the well connected, with the airline miles and the hotel perks and the tax loopholes, and if you’re really wealthy, you get to fly your private plane to Washington and get a pardon for any law you break.”
He continued, “And then there’s America for everyone else. That’s struggling to pay rent, that maybe has a college graduate that just moved back home because he or she can’t get a job, that’s turning down their thermostats as it gets cold out because they can’t afford their electricity bills or their gas or oil bills.”
Moulton presented himself as a more progressive candidate than Markey with messaging that will resonate with voters. “Everyone knows we’re opposed to Trump,” he said. “But we also have to stand for something ourselves.” His three-pronged affordability platform focuses on housing, health care and education, which he said are “human rights.”
By Sarah Heinonen sheinonen@thereminder.com
First came changes at Colorado Children’s Hospital, NYU Langone Health in New York and Children’s Hospital of Orange County in Los Angeles. Now, the chilling effect of proposed rules from President Donald Trump’s Department of Health and Human Services has reached the Pioneer Valley. In an effort to avoid running afoul of the administration, Baystate Health has paused some gender-affirming care for youth.
Gender-affirming care is an umbrella term for health care to treat gender dysphoria, defined by the American Psychiatric Association’s “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders,” as a “marked incongruence between one’s experienced/expressed gender and their assigned gender, lasting at least 6 months.” According to the Mayo Clinic, gender dysphoria can result in anxiety, depression, self-harm, eating disorders, substance misuse and other mental health concerns. A 2022 study published in the medical journal JAMA Open Network found gender-affirming care resulted in a 60% reduction in depression and 73% reduction in self-harm or suicidal thoughts.
Gender-affirming care includes a wide range of treatments, from counseling and mental health services to puberty blockers and hormone treatments. Surgical intervention is also a form of gender-affirming care but one that is usually reserved for adults. According to the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, the rate of gender-affirming surgeries on teens aged 15 to 17 was 2.1 per 100,000. The study found no cases of such surgery performed on children aged 12 or younger. While Massachusetts passed
Referring to President Barack Obama’s signature legislation, the Affordable Care Act, by its nickname, Moulton said, “Obamacare dramatically expanded health care. Millions of Americans have health care, so it’s a huge step in the right direction, but it’s not perfect.” Moulton is in favor of a public option. “That means that you can have Medicare if you want it. It doesn’t mean we’re going to force you onto Medicare,” he said, adding that a public option would drive down the cost of commercial health insurance plans and improve the efficiency and outcomes. He said, “We need that force in the market because health insurers, frankly, are extracting way too much out of the system.”
Moulton also spoke about eliminating pharmacy copays, saying their purpose is to ensure people don’t abuse medicine. “But we should trust our doctors to just give you the medicine that you actually need,” he said, adding that there is inequality built into how much people pay based on what insurance they have.
Moulton later told Reminder Publishing, “I think the reality is a lot of Republicans look at Democrats and say, ‘All they want is Medicare for all.’ And this is a compromise. A public option is not Medicare for all. I actually think it’s a better compromise because it preserves competition.”
A teenager asked Moulton about the dismantling of the Department of Education. While not in favor of eliminating the department, he told them that the 50-year-old department has not changed much even though education has. He said he was in favor of universal preschool and expanded vocational training, because people ask for it. While computer programmers might have jobs taken by artificial intelligence, he said plumbers would always be needed. When rebuilding the department, he said, “We got to rebuild it for the future, for the jobs for the next 30 years.”
The representative also called for the abolition and prosecution of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. “You can’t be above the law if you think you can enforce the law,” he said. He touted legislation he has sponsored to
a law in 2022 that expanded protections for reproductive and gender-affirming care, the federal government’s oversight of Medicare and Medicaid has created economic pressure on hospitals. In December 2025, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced regulations that would prohibit hospital systems providing gender-affirming care from collecting reimbursements from the federal insurance plans. While the rules are still under regulatory review, many hospital systems have decided to comply with the regulations, with the expectation that they will be approved.
In early February, Baystate sent a letter to the families of patients under 18 who receive gender affirming care that explained it would no longer be providing gender affirming medicines but would continue to offer mental health counseling.
“As the health care regulatory landscape continues to evolve, we have been assessing how we can best serve the long-term needs of our patients and their families,” Baystate Health wrote in a statement, “As the regional provider for higher-acuity and safety net services, we have a clinical obligation to ensure all patients receive quality, compassionate and accessible care consistent with our mission and core values.”
Nearly 79% of Baystate’s patients are covered by Medicare or Medicaid. The health system acknowledged that the “evolving regulatory landscape” “threatens hundreds of millions of dollars” in reimbursements. It said that ceasing access to gender-affirming pharmaceutical care for children and teens will allow it to preserve “access to care for all 800,000+ residents of Western Massachusetts,” which is “a responsibility we take seriously.”
allow people to sue ICE officers for violating their constitutional rights and to impeach Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem. Moreover, Moulton pointed to legislation he had introduced that would prohibit federal troops in polling places without congressional approval, as Trump ally Steve Bannon has pushed for. Federal law already prohibits this and punishes anyone who “has under his authority or control any troops or armed men at any place where a general or special election is held” with a fine and not more than five years in prison, as well as disqualification from holding office.
Moulton said he is “absolutely” concerned that the Trump administration may try to invalidate or otherwise influence the 2026 election. “I think it’s a very legitimate threat. And that’s why I’m proposing legislation to address this. We’ve got to be all on our toes and doing what we can to fight it.” He admitted it would be hard to secure enough votes to pass it but said making elected officials declare their position furthers the discussion. “It’s very hard to argue that we should have troops in our election centers,” he said.
Taking a poll of the room, Moulton asked how many people could describe the Democrats’ immigration policy. No hands went up. He laid out his ideas, including streamlining legal immigration as an alternative for those who would otherwise come into the country through other means. For those already in the United States, particularly those brought here as children, he was in favor of a pathway to citizenship.
When asked by a voter what he would do differently from Markey, Moulton said Markey and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer have not put forward “an aggressive agenda on affordability.” He said, “It’s all next generation leaders coming up with these ideas.” Among them, he named himself, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and newly elected Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger.
“We also, as Democrats, have to look ourselves in the mirror and said, ‘Why are we losing touch with working people?’” He said
Baystate is working to transfer patient care to other providers and has partnered with Transhealth, an independent, nonprofit healthcare provider in Northampton that focuses on serving transgender and gender-diverse communities, to help facilitate the move.
“Transhealth welcomes trans youth from Baystate Health as new patients. We have hired additional providers and are ready to deliver expert, compassionate, trans healthcare to all youth from Baystate,” said CEO Jo Erwin. “We are working closely with the hospital to help make this transfer of care as smooth as possible for families.”
Meanwhile, U.S. Sens. Ed Markey of Massachusetts, a support-
many people see the Democratic party as being for the “ultra-rich and the ultra-poor.” He said the party only began talking about affordability in the past year.
“I am not going to get elected on a platform of next generation leadership in Massachusetts and go to Washington and support Chuck Schumer,” as leader of the Senate, Moulton said. “I don’t think people look at Chuck Schumer and think, ‘He’s going to figure out AI,’” Moulton said, adding that he is concerned with the issue because it will affect future generations, including his young children. He said, “I’m thinking about where we’re going to be in a century, not just where we’re going to be in six years.”
Moulton does not think that an emphasis on “next generation leadership” will split the Democratic party. “I think Democratic unity really matters, and I’m very proud to have a lot of voices in the Democratic party,” he said. “If we really want to win, we need to reach out to some of these independents who do feel alienated who used to vote Democratic, you know, a lot of these union guys who voted for Obama and then voted for Trump, and say, ‘Hey, you’re welcome back in, we want you.’” Democrats may not agree on everything, he said, but it is important to “build a team.”
In 2018, Moulton started the Serve America political action committee to support Democrats running for congressional seats held by Republicans across the country. Since its inception, 24 of those candidates have been elected and another four are mounting challenges in the 2026 race. Moulton said, “We can have better leadership here in Massachusetts, but if we don’t win majorities in the House and Senate, we’re not going to be able to advance this agenda.”
Moulton, who is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, was asked how he feels about Trump’s use of the military and how his actions have “eroded” NATO.
“It’s hard to think of something that frustrates me more,” Moulton told the person. He said the trust in the military has fallen since Trump’s first term began
er of a transgender bill of rights and the Transgender Health Care Access Act, and Ron Wyden of Oregon are calling on the Trump administration to withdraw its proposed regulations.
“This policy would mark an unprecedented intrusion of partisan politics and ideology into medical decision-making and severely restrict access to evidence-based, medically necessary care,” the senators wrote. “This proposed rule would place the federal government directly between physicians, patients, and families by conditioning hospital participation in Medicare and Medicaid on the denial of individualized, clinician-directed care.”
Why Wait?
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BASKETBALL
Brendan Smuda shoots the floater and scores.
Nick Grippo takes it hard to the hoop.
Noah Medina posts up and spins to the basket.
Clinton Vo from West Side jostles for rebound position with EL’s Frankie Morrill.
West Side’s Nick Grippo guards the in-bounds pass.
West Springfield’s Brendan Murray drives base-line against the Spartans Matthew Kubera.
The Wolfpack’s Aley DeJesus goes for the scoop shot.
Aley DeJesus attacks the basket for West Springfield.
AJ Soto led the Wolfpack with 9 points.
Please email your community listings to: dhackett@thereminder.com
Items are printed on a space available basis.
AGAWAM
AGAWAM PUBLIC LIBRARY
The following events are organized by the Agawam Public Library, located at 750 Cooper St. All events are free and open to the public. Some programs require registration. For more information or to register, head to agawamlibrary.org or call 413-7891550 ext. 3. Ongoing progams:
• Qigong for Spring — Tuesdays at 11 a.m. from March 2 to June 23. Chair Yoga — Wednesdays at
AHS Project
They can meet with multiple classrooms,” said Kovacs. “This is going to be phenomenal when this school opens up. Teachers are not left behind. Teachers have wonderful space within this.”
There also will be a satellite STEM learning space with teacher instructional and office space.
“When you have teacher planning within each pod, you have that represented with multiplies by three,” he said, Each classroom will have room for 24 students and will have 900 square feet. They will
TOWN EVENTS
9:05 a.m.
Other programs:
• Root to Rise Sound Healing — Thursday, March 5 at 6:30 p.m.
Bring Your Own Craft Day — Saturday, March 7 at 10 a.m.
• Mock Speed Interviewing Night — Monday, March 9 at 6:30 p.m.
Virtual Author Talk Series: Kate Quinn — Thursday, March 12 at 7 p.m. Author Kate Quinn will discuss her latest fantastical work, “The Astral Library.”
AGAWAM GARDEN CLUB MEETING
Agawam Garden Club’s first meeting for the 2026 season will be held March 10 at the Agawam Public Library at 6:30 p.m. The library is located at 750 Cooper St. After a short business meeting John Milos, co-owner of Red Branch Landscaping, will present a talk on “Walls that Work: Form, Function, and Flowers. Members are reminded to bring their
have built in case work for plenty of storage. Kovacs emphasized that there also will be many science classrooms, each 1,440 square feet. He said the bulk of the academic space will be completed in 2028. Kovacs said while many schools in the state are going to three and even four-story buildings, it was important to make sure that the new high school represented what’s important to the town: the scale, the massing, the character.
“What was developed here was a two-story building with sloped roofs where we could do it. We’re probably at about 55% to 58% of sloped roofs — where we can pitch a roof, we’re pitch-
annual dues. All club meetings are open to the public and not restricted to Agawam residents.
CATHOLIC WOMEN’S CLUB OF AGAWAM MEETING
Feeding Hills author, Judy Cosby, will be the guest speaker at the March 9 meeting of the Catholic Women’s Club of Agawam. Refreshments will begin the evening at 6:30 p.m., in the Fr. Joyce Room of the St. John the Evangelist Parish Center, 833 Main St. At 7 p.m., the club’s monthly business meeting will take place after which Cosby will speak.
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.
ing a roof,” he said.
Other than that, there will be flat roofs for mechanical reasons. Kovacs said “the beautiful New England characteristics” of pitched roofs and the academic pods “really captures what this school is going to be.”
Only the high school portion will have two stories. In the pre-K section — which will replace the current Early Childhood Center (ECC) — there will be 10 pre-K classrooms, along with all the support areas needed, including offices and the relocated Family Resource Center.
The pre-K section will be located the rear lower section of the existing high school, which currently is the woodworking and
Moulton
Continued from page 5
in 2016. “He is directly abusing the military for his own purposes,” he said, referring to National Guard troops being sent into American cities. He referenced a 2018 quote by the president,
Kids programs:
• Kids Create (for ages 6-12 with some adult help) — Wednesday, March 11 starting at 9 a.m., pick up the materials and directions for making a fun craft for our older kids. No registration required, while supplies last.
Adult and teen programs: Dublin in Song and Story with Tom O’Carroll — Tuesday, March 10 at 6:30 p.m. Just in time for St. Patrick’s Day, in this program Dublin native Tom O’Carroll tells the tales and sings the songs of his native city.
• Teen Monthly Self-Care and Chill — Monday, March 9 from 6-7 p.m. Come to the library for a warm beverage and a calming craft!
WSMPA QUARTER AUCTION
The West Springfield Music Parents Association will host the fourth annual quarter auction Friday,
advanced manufacturing area. Additionally, the 1996 addition to AHS is being retained, which Kovacs said will be “a special piece” to this project.
The community wing will have two gymnasiums, one on each floor, along with a Hall of Fame to showcase athletic accolades and school pride. Working with the different user groups, Kovacs said the cafeteria is being created as a “space that’s timeless, that represents us,” with “notes of wood” structure, lots of tables, very simple ceilings and natural light. The cafeteria also can be converted for assemblies and also for large event venues in the evening.
The current auditorium has
who said the American soldiers buried at Aisne-Marne American Cemetery were “losers” and the Marines who died in the World War I Battle of Belleau Wood were “suckers.”
“What’s lacking in Washington isn’t intelligence, it’s just courage. It’s the courage to take the right vote, to do the right thing, even when you’ve got political
March 13, at the Dante Club, 1198 Memorial Ave. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with the auction beginning at 7 p.m. The WSMPA invites the community to enjoy this entertaining, family-friendly event, featuring several vendors, raffle prizes, music merchandise and concessions. Admission is $5 (cash only) for two paddles and door prize ticket. New this year, the WSMPA is collecting items for Dakin Humane Society. Guests who bring dry dog food, dry or canned cat food, large heavy-duty trash bags, bleach or paper towels will receive one free paddle with their paid admission. Guests are encouraged to bring quarters for bidding as a limited supply of quarters will be available for purchase. All proceeds from this fund-raising event benefit band and choir programs in the West Springfield Public School District.
served the town well for many years, said Kovacs. However, the new one will be state of the art, not only for Agawam, but also if the town wants to lease it out to traveling companies to get some revenue. He said that’s not uncommon for many Massachusetts School Building Authority projects.
Kovacs said he’s “really excited” about this project. “It’s going to be awesome. It’s way more than what you have now, much better improvement, and just gives you that much more flexibility and that much better of a learning environment for your students. What you see here is uniquely Agawam, and I think that’s what makes our job so wonderful.”
pressure in the other direction,” Moulton said. “And it really pisses me off, frankly, when I see colleagues of mine show a lot less courage in a very comfortable seat in the Senate or the House of Representatives than our 18-yearold soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines, guardsmen show every single day on the front lines.”
TheReminder.com
Every week we will provide you with a complete listings of deaths from the preceding week from throughout Greater Springfield. We are doing this as a convenience to our readers in case you miss an obit in the daily paper. We hope you find this useful and that you will refer to it weekly.
AGAWAM
Theresa J. O’Malley
FEEDING HILLS
Lewis J. Gonet
Lambert R. Ollari
Robert H. Yon
SOUTHWICK
Donna R. Hess
Marilyn Moore Riddle
WEST SPRINGFIELD
Edward J. Barstis Jr.
Roberta M. DeMarco
George G. Frigo
Philip A. Greene
Cheryl A. Howard
David D. Ramsdell
Mark Roulston
Carolyn T. Russell
Ralph R. Schmidt
WESTFIELD
Mary Julia Counter
Wanda M. Folini
Harriet Gilman
Maureen C. Matulewicz
James Paul Meagher
Wanda A. Rudat-Palmer
DINING ENTERTAINMENT
Agawam Cinemas to premiere new cult horror movie ‘Dark Places’
By Peter Tuohy ptuohy@thereminder.com
AGAWAM — On March 14, the local independent film production company Xposse Productions will be premiering “Dark Places” at Agawam Cinemas at 7 p.m. Tickets can be found for $9.75 on Agawam Cinemas’ website.
The film follows college student Natalie Parker, who grew up homeschooled and is now nervously on her own for the first time. When she meets and begins dating another introverted student, Jason Evans, college professors begin to be murdered. The two team up to figure it out, which leads to an attempt to take down the cult behind it all.
Writer and Director Geno McGahee is an award-winning filmmaker based out of Western Massachusetts and is the mind behind “Dark Places.” He first picked up a camcorder at 12 years old and released his first feature-length film, “Evil Awakening,” in 2001.
“I was always a writer, so I ended up seeing a film called ‘Galaxy Invader,’” McGahee said. “It’s a terribly low budget film, but it’s terribly charming as well … it’s really silly but it made me want to film.”
He got the idea while working on the set of one of his friend’s films, a romance comedy, where he also met the star of “Dark Places,” Lindsey DeLand.
“This idea came into my head of something darker, of putting them into a scenario where there was a looming force,” McGahee said. “It was a moment of inspiration. I’ve always wanted to do a good cult movie. Many years ago, I made a cult movie, but I wasn’t experienced enough to really get the message out that I wanted.”
McGahee said he’s always been a fan of horror movies and cult films like “Race with the Devil,” so making a film like this has always been in the back of his mind. As far as his approach went, he said it was “Scream” inspired.
“Directing and shooting it, it was such a great experience,” McGahee said. “I have the best team in the world. We’ve worked together now for five years, this great group of people I’ve assembled. Every shoot we do is just like, I won’t say a party atmosphere, but it feels like a family atmosphere.”
He added that putting a film together is always a crazy process with the ups and downs, from getting the schedules right and shooting in the forest through 20-degree weather. At one point during filming, the person in charge of the film’s gore couldn’t make it to the set. This led McGahee and the team to get creative with how certain things were shot, resulting in “the most impactful death scene that I’ve ever shot,” according to McGahee.
McGahee utilized places to film all over Western Massachusetts, such as a Holyoke school, as well as the Enfield Mall in Connecticut. He said he is a low
budget guy, making films out of his own pocket, so he relies on the kindness of other people allowing him to use their homes or businesses.
He said he is super excited for the premiere and to have something to present to an audience. He also looks forward to getting back with the team behind “Dark Places” to see it on the big screen.
“It’s open to the public, so it’s nice to get feedback from people
that weren’t involved,” McGahee said. “It’s a super exciting night. I love premieres because it’s just a party, you don’t have to do anything. You don’t have to set up lights, you don’t schedule anything, you just get to show up.” He thanked the entire team behind “Dark Places,” and Agawam Cinemas for their generosity in holding the premiere. The film will stream on Tubi, Fawesome and Amazon Prime Video.
Women composers, performers to be celebrated at SSO’s March 14 concert
SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield Symphony Orchestra will offer a celebration of women at its next performance during Women’s History Month, “MendelSpringfield Symphony Orchestrahn, Gershwin, & A Woman’s Voice,” on Saturday, March 14, at 7:30 p.m. at Springfield Symphony Hall.
Tickets for the March 14 concert are now on sale, starting at $25, online at SpringfieldSymphony.org, or by calling the box fffice at 413-733-2291.
At the March 14 performance, the Springfield Symphony Orchestra will hold its fourth annual Fearless Women Awards, honoring local women who embody courage, resilience and empowerment. Since its inception, the Springfield Symphony Orchestra’s Fearless Women Awards have recognized more than 20 women in the region, nominated by their peers. A pre-concert reception will be held in the Mahogany Room at Symphony Hall, and the Fearless Women awardees will be recognized on-stage at the start of the performance.
This concert will feature women composers and performers celebrating Women’s History Month. Guest conductor and Springfield Symphony Orchestra Artistic Advisor Mei-Ann Chen will appear for her second performance of the 2025-26 season and will include the return of a Springfield favorite, pianist Claire Huangci, to Symphony Hall.
The Springfield Symphony Orchestra’s nonprofit community partner for the March 14 performance is The Gray House, and concertgoers are encouraged to bring diapers, wipes, gift cards and monetary donations, all much-needed items to help families in the community. The Gray House is a small neighborhood human service nonprofit located in Springfield whose mission is “to help its neighbors facing hardships to meet their immediate and transitional needs by providing food, clothing and educational services in a safe, positive
environment in the North End of Springfield.”
The concert will open with Fanny MendelSpringfield Symphony Orchestrahn Hensel’s “Overture in C major,” her sole surviving orchestral work that only in recent years has earned well-deserved recognition in the symphonic musical world. Huangci will also perform George Gershwin’s “Piano Concerto in F” to close out the first half.
The second half will feature a piece by Fanny MendelSpringfield Symphony Orchestrahn Hensel’s younger brother, Felix MendelSpringfield Symphony Orchestrahn, “Symphony No. 3, Op.56, A minor.” He was inspired to create a masterwork after visiting the ruins of the Palace of Holyroodhouse, where Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots, lived and loved.
According to Heather Caisse-Roberts, president and CEO of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra, “March 14 is a celebration in the truest sense. It is a night where the brilliance, strength and artistry of women fill every corner of Symphony Hall. From the extraordinary music of Fanny MendelSpringfield Symphony Orchestrahn to the dynamic leadership of Mei-Ann Chen and the breathtaking artistry of Claire Huangci, this program reflects what happens when talent and vision are given the space they deserve. And when we honor our Fearless Women from right here in our community, we are reminded that leadership, resilience and creativity are alive all around us. The Springfield Symphony Orchestra is proud to be a stage where women are not an afterthought. They are the story.”
Chen, an internationally-acclaimed conductor and one of Musical America’s 2015 Top 30 Influencers, began serving as Artistic Advisor for the Springfield Symphony Orchestra in its 202425 season. In this position, Maestra Chen serves as the Orchestra’s artistic face, curating programs,
selecting guest soloists and facilitating other artistic needs. In addition to this performance, Chen conducted the season’s Opening Night concert on Oct. 11.
Chen has served as Music Director of the MacArthur Award-winning Chicago Sinfonietta since 2011, and her contract has been extended through the end of the 2028-2029 season. She is also Chief Conductor of Austria’s Recreation — Grosses Orchester Graz at Styriarte. Highly regarded as a compelling communicator, Chen is a sought-after guest conductor, and has appeared with distinguished orchestras throughout the Americas, Europe, Taiwan, The United
Kingdom, and Scandinavia, (over 150 orchestras to date). Chen is a recipient of a League of American Orchestras Helen M. Thompson Award, a Taki Concordia Fellowship, several ASCAP awards and is the only woman in the history of the Malko Competition to have been named First Prize Winner. Renowned for her “radiant virtuosity, artistic sensitivity, keen interactive sense and subtle auditory dramaturgy” (Salzburger Nachrichten), American pianist Claire Huangci showcases her versatility across a wide range, from Bach and Scarlatti to German and Russian romanticism, and contemporary works by Bernstein, Amy Beach
and Samuel Barber. Huangci has performed in many of the world’s most prestigious halls, including Carnegie Hall, Suntory Hall Tokyo, Paris Philharmonie, Vienna Konzerthaus and more. Huangci’s extensive discography showcases her artistic versatility. Her newest recording, “HEROINES,” with Alpha Classics, features the virtuosic music of female composers Fanny Hensel, Amy Beach, Clara Schumann and Florence Price, and is scheduled for release in January 2026. A Springfield favorite, this performance will mark Huangci’s fourth time performing with the Springfield Symphony Orchestra.
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