MARCH 12, 2026 | FREE
IN THIS EDITION
AGAWAM CROP Hunger Walk returns to support local and global needs
As food insecurity rises across the region, organizers of the annual Agawam/West Springfield CROP Hunger Walk on Sunday, April 26 say this year’s event carries an even greater sense of urgency.
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WEST SPRINGFIELD Tatham School embraces Read Across America
The National Education Association’s Read Across America, a campaign that encourages children to read with a week of activities and reading, took Tatham School by storm with local officials reading Dr. Seuss favorites including “The Cat in the Hat” and “Green Eggs and Ham”.
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Novel explores struggles with terminal diagnosis
By Mike Lydick Correspondent
WEST SPRINGFIELD — A new novel, “Bean in My Breast,” is the story of a woman named Rachel who is dealing with news that her breast cancer has returned. It’s terminal. Instead of enduring another round of painful treatments that offer little hope, Rachel chooses to live her life on her own terms.
Told in the first person through Rachel’s intimate reflection and spiritual clarity, “Bean in My Breast” is an emotional story about motherhood, legacy, faith and the courage to say goodbye while still holding on to life.
Rachel’s story, said author Angela Grout, connects with many stages of her journey — not just with cancer or being tested, but also relationships with her kids, mom, husband, friends and balancing life as a mom.
It’s based on real experiences of several of Grout’s friends who faced breast cancer. “I had five friends die from breast cancer in less than four years,” said Grout. “I struggled with learning that they had accepted their diagnosis as a death sentence. I’ve lost several friends to cancer starting at the age of 17, so it’s always bothered me.”
One friend shared that she was opting not to do extensive treatments, telling Grout she had nine months to live. “I was angry — not just at the diagnosis, but at her acceptance,” said Grout, who lives in West Springfield.
Writing the book helped Grout understand her friend’s process
of controlling what she could control. Grout started discussing writing this book with another friend, Kristen Donner, who had cancer at the time and has since passed.
“Kristen wanted to be a part of the book by sharing her thoughts so I started outlining the book but it wasn’t until the night Kristen died that I started writing. I hadn’t known she passed until the next day. By then I had over 40 pages written explaining to me why Kristen did what she did and how she transitioned,” said Grout.
Much research and help from girlfriends diagnosed with breast cancer provided Grout with medical aspects of her story. They were a “a huge help” with names of medicines used, timing of treatments and other information related to treating breast cancer.
The most challenging part for Grout was knowing what she was creating was to be fictional in the first person. “Speaking with Rachel’s voice, I gave her some challenges to deal with other than cancer. I added her husband having an affair to show how marriages are affected by cancer — the silent struggles and alienation that often is felt.”
Much of Rachel’s voice felt like Donner’s voice to Grout, so adding fiction made her worry about what her family would think. “As a writer I knew this story needed bits of reality that were happening in others’ lives. I write what I know, witness, feel, imagine and hear. Making adjustments to what was a realistic story for me reminded me that it was fiction. The only reality was
witnessing Kristen’s control.”
The book is set in Western Massachusetts, with Rachel getting treatment at Mercy Medical Center’s Sister Caritas Cancer Center in Springfield as well as going to the Cancer House of Hope in West Springfield.
There is also an important scene in the book at the Brimfield Winery. Grout had already writ-
ten a scene where Rachel’s father whittled a bench for her wedding gift and the bench became an anchor in the story.
“When I saw a handmade bench at the winery I asked the owners about it. There were initials carved in it that begged me
Angela Grout launched a book-signing tour for her new book, “Bean in My Breast,” at Barnes & Noble in Holyoke on March 8. The medical novel is an emotional story about motherhood, legacy, faith and the courage to say goodbye while still holding on to life.
Reminder Publishing photo by Mike Lydick
See NEW NOVEL on page 2
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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 413789-1550 ext. 3.
• Tea and Trivia — Tuesday, March 17 at 6:30 p.m. and Wednesday, March 18 at 2:30 p.m. The questions are the same for both sessions, so register for the time you prefer. Writers Group hosted by Katherine Anderson — Thursday, March 19 at 6 p.m.
• Meet the Hydrow Athletes: Rowing, Motivation & Performance — Thursday, March 19
TOWN EVENTS
at 6:30 p.m. Come hear the team’s stories, learn about the sport of rowing and discover what it takes to stay strong, focused and motivated.
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.
Kids programs: Family Crafternoon — Tuesday, March 17 3-6 p.m. Drop in crafts for ages 3 and up. While supplies last.
Arts and Science Rocks. (for ages 9-12) — Friday, March 20 from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Use force and trajectory to create a mini basketball launcher.
Adult and teen programs:
• Teen LEGO Club! — Tuesday, March 17 6-7 p.m. Work together to build one of our awesome kits! Open to ages 13 and up.
• Puzzle Swap — Wednesday, March 18 at 6 p.m. Connect with
other puzzle lovers and keep your hobby more sustainable. Bring puzzles you’ve already completed and trade them for ones that are new to you. Exchanges will be bring one take one style and all puzzles must be complete (no missing pieces please) and in their original boxes. Registration encouraged.
• Tech Help — Thursday, March 19, 2-4 p.m. The library will provide guided assistance for questions about your mobile device or laptop during a 30 minute appointment. Registration required.
STORROWTON VILLAGE
MAPLE HARVEST DAY AND PANCAKE BREAKFAST
Maple Harvest Day & Pancake
Breakfast returns to Storrowton Village Museum on Saturday, March 14, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.. Learn about the history of maple harvesting in New England while indulging in a delicious meal provided by the West Springfield Lions Club and local sugar shack, Ferrindino Maple. Advance discount tickets for the breakfast are available for purchase at StorrowtonVillage.com, but walk-
ups are welcome through 11:30 a.m.
WSPL FRIENDS MARCH
MINI BOOK SALE AND DONATIONS
The Friends of the West Springfield Public Library will be hosting a Mini Book Sale on Wednesday, March 18, from noon to 2 p.m. in the library’s Community Room. A wide variety of adult and children’s books will be available (hardcover books for $1, and softcover books for 50 cents), with proceeds benefiting the library. Additionally, beginning on March 9, book donations for the Big Book Sale in April can be left in the wooden donation box in the library lobby. The library is located at 200 Park St.
GARDEN CLUB MEETING
The West Springfield Garden Club will meet on Thursday, March 19 at 6 p.m. in the J. Edward Christian Municipal Office Building, 26 Central St. in the Justin Morgan Auditorium on the second floor. Parking is available in the Municipal lot across the street. This meetings speaker is Ahrayah Julian, owner and designer at Willow and Moss Flowers, who will share her knowledge about “Ikebana.” Ike-
bana characteristically uses branches in its arrangements to draw lines that define the flow of space. Arrangements are lean, minimalist, eliminate excess and highlight individual flowers and features. The public is welcome to attend. Please contact BeckyJean at beckyjean@ beckyjeanthompson.com to RSVP. AGAWAM COMMUNITY ARTISTS AND ARTISANS FEATURED AT MAJESTIC THEATER
The Agawam Community Artists and Artisans are showcasing a collection of art at the Majestic Theater, 131 Elm St., West Springfield. The art represents the collective talents of many local artists, including ACAA artists from Connecticut. The display showcases original art in mediums such as watercolor, acrylic, colored pencil and oil. The collection is diverse, the subjects ranging from vivid florals, realistic woodland and beach art. The art is on display in the café and can beviewed when the Majestic is open. All of the art is for sale by contacting the staff of the Majestic, who will hold your piece until the close of the show, on Sunday, April 5.
Focus on fraud has AG girding for another lawsuit
By Alison Kuznitz State House News Service
BOSTON
— Attorney General
Andrea Campbell says she’s prepared to lodge yet another lawsuit against the federal government should the Trump administration’s crackdown on Medicaid fraud in Minnesota shift focus to Massachusetts, where public benefits fraud is getting fresh attention.
President Donald Trump hinted at a looming clash last week, when he put a spotlight on fraud in Massachusetts and other Democrat-led states during his State of the Union address.
Federal health officials two weeks ago paused $259.5 million
in quarterly Medicaid matching funds in Minnesota to “prevent payment of questionable claims while further investigation is completed.” The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services said it may withhold up to $1 billion over the next year should Minnesota “fail to clean up its significant program integrity vulnerabilities or demonstrate that the expenditures are allowable.”
During a television interview that aired on March 1, Campbell was asked whether a similar Medicaid funding freeze could unfold here. MassHealth, the state’s Medicaid program, accounts for nearly one-third of the budget.
“Well, if they come for our
resources, we will file suit like we have been,” Campbell said on WCVB’s “On the Record” program.
The attorney general said her office has filed nearly 50 lawsuits against the Trump administration in hopes of protecting more than $3 billion.
Senate Republicans in Massachusetts recently called for an oversight hearing into public benefit fraud in the SNAP program. In their request to Senate Committee on Post Audit and Oversight Chairman Mark Montigny, the Senate GOP Caucus pointed to $34 million in public benefit fraud identified by Auditor Diana DiZoglio’s office over
a three-year period as well as two cases brought by U.S. Attorney Leah Foley.
In fiscal year 2025 alone, the Bureau of Special Investigations within DiZoligo’s office identified roughly $12 million in public benefit fraud. Nearly half of that figure was attributed to MassHealth.
DiZoglio’s Medicaid Audit Unit last week released a report identifying nearly $8.5 million in potential cost savings at MassHealth, based on probes into dental services, transportation services, durable medical equipment providers and inpatient maternity services.
MassHealth paid about $521,500 for “DME that could not be verified as having been ordered by an eligible provider” and about $31,700 for DME ordered by providers who are excluded from MassHealth. The report said MassHealth also paid providers $27,400 for equipment ordered for deceased members.
MassHealth said it plans to investigate the report’s claims and recoup overpayments, and the agency said it offers training for providers to comply with state and federal laws, according to the report.
“MassHealth emphasized that due to the delay in how it receives information about deceased members, it relies on the postpay process to recoup payments for its members who had passed away,”
New Novel
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to name the characters in ‘Bean’ after those initials,” she said. “I wrote a short story about how the bench got there and imagined Rachel’s husband donating it after she passed since they had a memorable date at the winery,” she said.
Starting the book in July 2019, Grout wasn’t ready to publish it until 2023 because of the pandemic, her own health issues and delays in updating edits. When Grout began talking with literacy agents and publishing houses, she was disappointed that they would not put it on the schedule until fall 2026/2027.
“I considered self-publishing it, but with more health issues more delays occurred. Then a door opened with Burning Bulb Publishing and the timing was right,” said Grout. The book — a 247-page paperback published in December 2025 — is available on Amazon and through Barnes & Noble.
“Bean in My Breast” has become one of Amazon’s top audible reads and is the number one medical fiction book on Amazon. Grout said she’s “excited and surprised” about the book’s rank-
the report continued.
Trump discussed fraud allegations in Minnesota during his State of the Union address when he declared a “war on fraud,” and he also name-dropped Massachusetts.
“California, Massachusetts, Maine and many other states are even worse,” Trump said. “This is the kind of corruption that shreds the fabric of a nation, and we are working on it like you wouldn’t believe.”
Campbell said Trump called out those states as part of a “blueprint” to “weaponize” the federal government across Democratic strongholds.
Gov. Maura Healey proposed a $3.5 million increase for the attorney general’s ’s office in FY27. Campbell is seeking an additional $2.7 million to keep up with the federal legal battles and to tackle accountability voids she sees in Washington.
“They’re not doing some of the public health work we’re doing, or the health care work, or the Medicaid fraud we’re doing,” Campbell said. “So, we have to fill the gap. That means I have to expand my team in order to ensure that folks here in Massachusetts are not defrauded.”
Alison Kuznitz is a reporter for State House News Service and State Affairs Pro Massachusetts. Reach her at akuznitz@ stateaffairs.com.
ings. “I hadn’t considered it medical fiction but it is. It’s surprising that it’s so well received. Doctors have loved this story as well — learning about the emotions and daily struggles of balancing this medical diagnosis and life.”
Grout knew in the beginning that Rachel had died, so she said the emotional attachment was present the whole time. But when she listened to the book’s audible version she cried. “Hearing the story in her voice (outside of my head) was emotional and real. I mourned her passing. But I’m thankful to have known her. She will forever live in my heart. Rachel is a bean planted in my soul — nourishing my own spirituality and quest to live life authentically. Rachel taught me to not hold back and be me.”
Grout has embarked on a book-signing tour that launched March 8 at Barnes & Noble in Holyoke. Other booking signing dates/locations: March 23, 7-8 p.m., Fuego Sports Bar, Springfield; April 7, The Intersection at Tower Square, 4-6 p.m. (along with a book talk); April 18, Sacred Heart Church, Feeding Hills, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; April 23, Pleasantview Senior Center, East Longmeadow, 10 a.m. to noon; May 12-17. Brimfield Antique Fair at the Brimfield Winery.
CROP Hunger Walk returns to support hunger relief
By Tina Lesniak Correspondent
AGAWAM — As food insecurity rises across the region, organizers of the annual Agawam/ West Springfield CROP Hunger Walk on Sunday, April 26 say this year’s event carries an even greater sense of urgency.
The walk, part of a national effort coordinated by Church World Service, brings together residents, churches and community groups to raise funds for hunger relief both locally and around the world. For more than three decades, the local walk has also supported the Parish Cupboard, a food pantry serving residents of Agawam, Feeding Hills and West Springfield.
Organizer Diane Forfa said demand for food assistance has climbed sharply in recent months.
“Federal cuts to programs
have increased the number of people needing food assistance,” Forfa said. “This began in the fall, affecting all the organizations in West Springfield and Agawam that I have heard from.”
She noted that the Parish Cupboard experienced a surge in visitors after Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits were suspended last fall.
“The Parish Cupboard had a sharp increase of people coming in when SNAP benefits were suspended last fall, and those new families have continued to need assistance in the new year,” Forfa said. At the same time, some support networks that food programs rely on have been strained. According to Forfa, the Western Massachusetts Food Bank has paused new partnerships because of federal
funding cuts, limiting opportunities for emerging local initiatives. As a result, a newer food distribution program at Feeding Hills Congregational Church has been unable to receive assistance through the regional food bank.
Despite those challenges, the CROP Hunger Walk continues to serve as a major fundraising and awareness effort. Organizers of each walk nationwide select a local organization to receive a portion of the proceeds, while the remainder supports global hunger relief.
“The Agawam/West Springfield CROP Hunger Walk has supported the Parish Cupboard for over 30 years,” Forfa said. “The Cupboard serves people from Agawam, Feeding Hills and West Springfield, so CROP support puts a spotlight on the very real problem of food insecurity in these communities.”
Seventy-five percent of funds raised through the walk support international programs run by Church World Service, which address hunger, refugee assistance, education and rural development.
“The motto of CROP Hunger Walks is, ‘We walk because they walk,’” Forfa said, explaining that the phrase reflects the long distances many people in developing countries must travel each day for food and water. “Events are held rain or shine for that reason.”
Organizers are optimistic about this year’s turnout and fundraising potential. Three new walking teams have joined the effort, raising hopes that the walk could surpass its previous total.
“Each year, we try to surpass the fundraising goal of the prior year,” Forfa said. “If this year’s event raises $16,000 — a pos-
sibility, since we have added three new walking teams this year — the Parish Cupboard will receive $4,000.”
Local funding helps the pantry provide emergency groceries once a month to families and individuals from three communities, while also offering a hot lunch five days a week.
Community members who cannot attend the walk can still support the cause. Donations can be made online through the event’s fundraising page, or by contacting Forfa at First Congregational UCC of West Springfield.
Whether walking or donating, Forfa hopes residents will recognize the importance of the effort.
The walk will begin at 1:30 p.m. at Agawam Congregation Church, 745 Main St. in Agawam. Registration begins at 1 p.m.
Feeding Hills man arrested on charges related to CSAM
AGAWAM — A Feeding Hills man has been arrested following an investigation into the possession of child sexual abuse material, Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni announced. Nicholas E. Clark, 44, of Feeding Hills, was arrested on March 4, following an investigation conducted by State Police Troopers assigned to the Hampden District Attorney’s Office Detective Unit. The investigation began on
Jan. 9, after the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children issued multiple CyberTipline reports related to Clark through the electronic service provider Synchronoss Technologies. Investigators subsequently obtained records associated with a Verizon Wireless cloud account linked to Clark.
Investigators reviewed the material and identified hundreds of files depicting underage chil-
dren. Authorities confirmed that the content included child sexual abuse material.
On March 3, investigators applied for and were granted search and arrest warrants by the Westfield District Court for Clark and his residence in Feeding Hills.
On the morning of March 4, investigators arrested Clark without incident at his residence in Feeding Hills.
Investigators also executed
a search warrant at Clark’s residence. During the search, investigators seized several electronic devices including external hard drives, USB storage devices, a laptop computer and a cell phone.
Investigators also located additional media files on one of the seized devices containing images and videos consistent with child sexual abuse material.
“The exploitation of children online is one of the most
disturbing crimes investigators confront,” said Gulluni. “I commend the State Police assigned to my office for their diligent work in identifying this material and taking swift action to protect children and hold offenders accountable.”
The investigation remains ongoing. Clark is expected to be arraigned in Westfield District Court. He is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Agawam Historical Association scholarship application open
AGAWAM — The Agawam Historical Association is proud to offer one $1,000 scholarship to an eligible graduating senior of Agawam High School in memory of Marilyn P. Curry. Curry moved to Agawam in 1964 and lived there until her death in 2021. She was deeply committed to the preservation of history in her adopted hometown, as the longtime chair of the Agawam Historical Com-
LUDLOW — The Western Mass. Relics Senior Softball League is officially stepping up to the plate for its 2026 season. Organizers have announced that registration is now open for men aged 50 and older who are looking for competitive play, exercise and camaraderie.
The 2026 season is scheduled to kick off on April 20 and will run through late summer. Games are held at the Fish & Game Club in Ludlow.
Founded in 1991, the Western Mass Relics have grown from a small group of enthusiasts into a premier regional destination for senior slow-pitch softball. For over 30 years, the league has remained dedicated to its mission of providing a safe, organized environment where seniors can remain active.
The Relics are proud mem-
mission, a trustee of the Captain Charles Leonard House, 20-term president of the Agawam Historical Association and town historian. The Marilyn P. Curry History Room in the Agawam Historical & Fire House Museum was dedicated in her honor in 2025.
Applicants must be a graduating senior of Agawam High School and intend to continue their education enrolling at an
bers of the Senior Softball-USA network and have historically fielded tournament teams that compete at the national level, showcasing the high caliber of talent found right here in Western Massachusetts.
The team also competes in the Massachusetts Senior Olympics.
To ensure fair play and safety, the league is divided into two primary brackets based on age and skill level:
• Silver Division (Ages 50+): Designed for a faster pace of play. Registration is $95, which includes the cost of paid, sanctioned umpires for games.
undergraduate level college/university or technical/trade school in the fall of 2026. Applicants must follow all application requirements to be considered. All application material must be received no later than April 10. In addition to the monetary award, the scholarship recipient will also receive a four-year family membership to the Agawam Historical Association.
The Agawam Historical Association, a private, nonprofit organization created in 1962, preserves and promotes the rich history of Agawam and Feeding Hills through informational programs at its quarterly meetings, educational events at the historic Thomas Smith House, and its collection of artifacts and records at the Agawam Historical & Fire House Museum.
Scholarship applications may be obtained through the Agawam High School Guidance Office, or by visiting the Agawam Historical Association website: agawamhistory.org/scholarship. For more information, please contact Agawam Historical Association Scholarship Committee chair Alan Rogers at 413-7896017, 413-207-1575 or alan@ urbureau.com.
• Gold Division (Ages 65+): Focuses on safety and fun, featuring specific rules such as “no sliding” and the “over rule” at second and third. Registration is $60.
Age eligibility is determined by the age the player will reach by Dec. 31, 2026. Prospective players can register online via the official league website, westernmass-
relics.org. The league welcomes all skill levels, emphasizing sportsmanship and the “Relic” spirit above all else.
Tatham School embraces 28th annual Read Across America
By Sarah Heinonen sheinonen@thereminder.com
WEST SPRINGFIELD — Each year, the National Education Association’s Read Across America campaign encourages children to read with a week of activities and reading. The event takes place around the March 2 birthday of children’s author and Springfield native Theodor Geisel, better known by the pen name Dr. Seuss.
At West Springfield’s Tatham School, reading teachers Karen Danforth and Lily Rosario helped organize the week with support from the school’s parent teacher organization.
Each day of the week was themed after a different Dr. Seuss book. Students and teachers were encouraged to wear animal print on Mondays in honor of “If I Ran the Zoo.” Tuesday‘s “Cat in the Hat” saw people wearing hats. “Fox in Socks” was the theme for Wednesday when people wore interesting or funny socks. The school was awash in a sea of green clothing for “Green Eggs and Ham” on Thursday. Friday’s theme was “Oh, the Places You’ll Go,” when staff and students wore shirts from their favorite destinations.
While themed around Dr. Seuss, Read Across America encourages children to read books
by whatever authors they prefer.
Each classroom in the K-5 school received a guest reader at some point throughout the week. The guest readers included Mayor Will Reichelt, Fire Chief Christopher Bartone, members of the School Committee and
town councilors. On the afternoon of March 4, when Reminder Publishing visited the school, Councilor Kira Thompson was reading one of her children’s favorite books, “We Don’t Eat Our Classmates,” to a kindergarten class, while Police Chief Jay
Gearing read “Fox in Socks” to some second graders. Danforth said some readers choose books they thought the students would enjoy, while others left the titles up to the teacher. Danforth said students get engaged and excited about Read
Across America, no matter what their grade. “Big kids also love to be read to. It’s kind of magical,” she said. The experience is also rewarding for readers. “There’s something about being able to share a book,” she said.
Students elevate on AP exams and Healey celebrates
By Sam Drysdale State House News Service
BOSTON — Massachusetts continues to grapple with early literacy woes and school budget cuts but its students once again have topped the nation on Advanced Placement exams.
New data released in March 3 by the College Board show that 35.8% of Massachusetts public high school graduates scored a 3 or higher (out of 5) on at least one AP exam — the highest rate in the country and the highest in state history.
Participation also climbed, with nearly half of graduates taking at least one AP test, and state officials spotlighted steep gains since 2021 among Black and Hispanic students as exam fee subsidies expanded.
The milestone lands as the state faces sobering academic and fiscal headwinds.
Achievement gaps between demographic groups persist,
early literacy scores remain deeply concerning with many elementary students off grade level, and districts from Boston to the Berkshires are grappling with educator layoffs and shrinking student enrollment.
With the landmark Student Opportunity Act nearing the end of its scheduled funding rampup, lawmakers are confronting questions about whether — and how — to sustain equity investments that have underpinned recent gains.
“We’ve been really intentional about increasing these AP exam scores,” Gov. Maura Healey said at a press conference. “Now there’s a lot of work left to do. We’re still recovering from the pandemic, as all states are, and we’re working to close any learning gaps. But for me, the ultimate goal is not the number one ranking, actually, it’s knowing that we have the very best prepared students in the country when they leave
high school.” Massachusetts has been at the top of the metric for the most public high school graduates who scored a 3 or higher on at least one AP exam every year since 2021. Many colleges award students college credit for AP scores above a 3.
Nationally, 24.8% of public high school graduates reached this achievement, compared to Massachusetts’s 35.8%.
“That ranking is being driven because more tests are being taken across the state,” said Massachusetts Teachers Association President Max Page. “Worcester, Quincy, Springfield. It’s good to see that students are being given the opportunities and taking the opportunity.”
However, achievement gaps remain wide.
Of the 34,870 white students who took AP exams in Massachusetts in the 2024-2025 school year, 82% of them received a 3 or higher, according to data
from the governor’s office. That is compared to 63% of the total 10,753 Hispanic or Latino students who took the exams; 57% of a total 4,540 Black students; and 89% of the 9,092 Asian students who participated in the AP in Massachusetts last year.
Asked about these persistent gaps, Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Pedro Martinez said that the first step is ramping up participation across districts.
“We’re exposing our students to the rigor, and so that is the first step, and the fact that we have AP courses in 86% of our high schools that we’re seeing such significant increases,” Martinez said. “What we’re doing in Massachusetts is all of our students are rising. Yes, there’s some gaps there, but if we keep doing this, and we keep going forward, and you combine this with early college courses, you now have this magic formula.”
Page said these disparities
CATHOLIC WOMEN’S CLUB SCHOLARSHIP AGAWAM — Application forms for the Catholic Women’s Club of Agawam’s scholarship are available. Applicants must be a child or grandchild of a club member and a graduating high school senior. The forms will be available at the club’s monthly meetings in March and April or at the St. John the Evangelist Parish Center office at 833 Main St. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Completed forms and all requested information must be returned by April 30 to the email or mailing address on the application. No late applications will be accepted.
are strongly influenced by the “intersection of class and race,” and persistent challenges despite recent state investment in low-income districts.
“Pushing for better housing and health care and all of those things, that’s a core part of access to opportunities. But clearly, if we continue to invest as we have through the Student Opportunity Act, we can see what happens in communities like Springfield and Worcester, who got a lot of money,” Page said. “This was a very durable problem, and it still is ... but we still see clearly, we have a long we to go still, because ideally we’d like to see no gap.”
Gov. Maura Healey’s office promoted gains made among Black and Hispanic or Latino students, who are taking the exams at higher rates and receiving higher scores over the past four years.
Between 2021 and 2025, the number of students of color participating in the AP exam increased by 49%. Massachusetts was the highest ranked state, though still behind Washington D.C., for the percentage of Black students who graduated in 2025 and took at least one AP exam.
Between 2021 and 2025, the number of students of color who received a score of 3 or higher
See AP EXAMS on page 5
Police Chief Jay Gearing read “Fox in Socks” to second graders at Tatham School’s Read Across America Day event. Reminder Publishing photo by Sarah Heinonen
Eng promotes bill, chair waves caution flag
By Ella Adams State House News Service
BOSTON — A multi-year transportation bill before lawmakers could help local towns and commuters with roadway issues ranging from pothole fixes to culvert repairs.
The Gov. Maura Healey proposal (H 4987) would authorize $1.2 billion in Chapter 90 municipal road and bridge funding over four years. In places like Yarmouth, that funding has helped the town make safety improvements to roads and sidewalks, Public Works Director Jeff Colby said, calling it “a lifeline” for essential infrastructure.
Yarmouth has 240 miles of road, 168 culverts, a population of 25,000 and an annual operating budget of $74 million, Colby said. It faces a backlog of repairs, including road repairs that would require an investment of at least $10 million to address.
“This predictability is essential for committing to large-scale projects, which sometimes we have to take multi-years’ worth of Chapter 90 bonds to complete one project,” Colby said. Yarmouth would receive $1.25 million in year one under the proposal and a total of $5 million over four years, he said.
The proposal would maintain an annual funding level of $300 million for local road aid. Of that, $100 million would be allocated based on lane miles, which the administration says will increase resources for rural and small communities. Beyond Chapter 90, the bill allocates $500 million for MassDOT’s road and bridge lifecycle asset management programs, $200 million for DCR transportation infrastructure, $200 million for
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grew 93% in Massachusetts.
The number of students overall taking the tests grew by 26% in those four years, “in part because the state expanded fee waivers available to help students afford the tests,” according to the governor’s office.
AP exams cost almost $100 without a fee subsidy. Under the Healey administration, the state has started subsidizing the fees, resulting in low-income students paying $22 per test. It’s paid for through the 4% surtax on high earners.
“Under this administration, Massachusetts has subsidized 90,783 AP exams for nearly 50,000 low-income students. Students who take AP courses
an MBTA rail reliability program and $200 million for transportation infrastructure to support new housing development.
“A lot of what that does is it improves, immediately, the local day-to-day condition of pavements on local roadways. So, if you’re a roadway commuter, that’s a huge benefit that you need on a day-to-day basis,” State Highway Administrator and interim Transportation Undersecretary Jonathan Gulliver said.
“Broadly speaking, and obviously a little bit more of a longer lead time, it enables us to really tackle some of these bigger capital projects by allowing us to have matching funds for federal aid,” he added.
Healey proposed $3.2 billion in authorizations, including for federal and non-federal highway programs.
“If you have a road that has potholes and it is in disarray or disrepair, or a bridge that’s closed, or train station that does not have full accessibility, things of that nature, it really almost makes the, you know, the feeling of ‘no one’s listening to us,’” interim Transportation Secretary and MBTA General Manager Phil Eng said.
“The Chapter 90 money, and the flexibility that it gives us and the municipalities, is actually able to turn that around and let the public start to realize that public agencies and government can work and does work,” Eng added.
Industry groups including the Massachusetts Municipal Association, Construction Industries of Massachusetts, Metropolitan Area Planning Council and A Better City are urging lawmakers to follow through on the proposed multi-year authorization.
in high school are more likely to enroll in a four-year college and perform better in introductory college courses,” it says.
The Student Opportunity Act, passed in 2019, was designed to phase in more than $1.5 billion in additional aid to districts over seven years, aimed at closing gaps between the lowest-income districts and the wealthiest. The budget state budget bill that is under deliberation will carry the sixth and final year of the infusion, with total investments reaching roughly $2.3 billion over its lifespan.
Page raised concerns that milestones like the announcements made on March 3 could be at risk from a fiscal cliff effect caused by the end of the SOA without another long-term plan for reformed education investment.
Healey in 2025 proposed that the lawmakers sign off on a five-year authorization for Chapter 90. They opted instead to move forward with a one-year plan.
CIM Executive Director Jeff Mahoney wrote to lawmakers that there are more than 400 structurally deficient local bridges and culverts in Massachusetts. Considering the bill will likely not be passed until early summer, he wrote, “A multi-year bill will smooth the local planning process and allow cities and towns with stressed public works budgets to move forward with road projects at the very start of the construction season.”
Strengthening the program can help localities weather the challenges presented by shifting federal policies, MMA Executive Director Adam Chapdelaine wrote in testimony.
“Over the next four years of this proposed authorization, climate change and an expanded freeze-thaw cycle will place significant strain on local infrastructure,” Chapdelaine wrote. “More frequent and severe weather events are shortening the infrastructure lifespans and increasing long-term maintenance costs.”
State Rep. David Linsky of Natick questioned whether the state will have enough money in four years, citing uncertainty about federal funding and a ballot question that could cut the state’s income tax revenue.
The Office of Administration and Finance is “very aware and very concerned about those headwinds,” A&F Undersecretary Jen Sullivan said. The bonds are financed with the Commonwealth Transportation Fund, she added, which collects registry fees, gas tax revenue and some income surtax revenue.
Many education activists say the Legislature is taking too long to come up with a new plan for K-12 school funding adaptable to current pressures — such as declining enrollment and high inflation.
“I’m worried about our districts having to lay off educators and pull back on programs at the very moment we’re seeing success,” Page said. “It’s incumbent upon the Legislature to build on what the governor proposed and do a lot more to stave off the fiscal crisis.”
The state has also invested heavily in recent years in literacy initiatives for early readers, buoyed by the surtax on high earners. So far, the youngest Bay Staters are still far behind expected reading benchmarks. Lawmakers are currently considering legislation to re-
“This Chapter 90 bill would be financed, backed by CTF revenue, which is not impacted by any of those pressures that you’re talking about. It’s not that it is exempt from the general economy, but that it is relatively cordoned off to those resources of revenue, which we view as pretty reliable at this point,” Sullivan said. Those pressures “aren’t impacting the CTF as much,” she added.
Towns might make a different decision on how to address pavement or drainage upgrades if funding is only available for one year, Eng added, “but if you also know that there’s future funding, then you can actually start to think about doing a much more appropriate care that actually will save dollars in the future.”
Asked about the concern surrounding a four-year authorization, House Chair Rep. Jim Arciero of Westford said that “with the lack of a federal partner, it’s been concerning for state governments across the nation.”
“We’re going into a very uneasy time. From what I’ve seen with the consensus revenue and heard and read, it’s going to be a sobering budget,” he added. “I think we’ll continue to move forward with caution. We’re going to have conversations here, it’s in committee now. The Legislature typically moves with caution.”
Senior policy, government and community affairs advisor at A Better City Tom Ryan, and Transportation for Massachusetts Policy Director Pete Wilson suggested lawmakers add policy into the borrowing bill. Ella Adams is reporter for the State House News Service and State Affairs Massachusetts. Reach her at ella.adams@statehousenews.com.
form early literacy curriculum across the state.
Healey said her administration has focused on early education investments to start closing the learning gaps reflected in AP exam data at a young age.
“This is why it’s so important that we’ve made investments in child care and early education, investments in literacy and high dosage tutoring, so that, from the start, all students — Black, white, Latino, it doesn’t matter. All students in Massachusetts have the tools, have the training, have the resources from the start,” she said.
Sam Drysdale is a reporter for State House News Service and State Affairs Pro Massachusetts. Reach her at sdrysdale@ statehousenews.com.
Operations Director: Curtis Panlilio
Executive Editor: Chris Maza
Managing Editors: Dennis Hackett, Ryan Feyre
Staff Writers: Sarah Heinonen, Deb Gardner, Amy Porter, Trent Levakis, Cliff Clark, Tyler Garnet, Peter Tuohy
Graphic Design Manager: Beth Thurber
Graphic Design Department: Leigh Catchepaugh, Lorie Perry, Sophia McClellan, Susan Bartlett, Jim Johnson-Corwin, Molly Arnio
Sales Manager: Scott Greene
Account Executives: Matt Mahaney, Paula Dimauro, Lisa Nolan, Jeanette Grenier, Paul Poutre, Andy Shaw, Laura Tassistro
Classified Account Managers: Roxanne Miller-Longtin, Evan Marcyoniak, Shannon Spada
Sales Support: Carolyn Napolitan
Financial Department: Nancy Banning
Circulation Department: Holly Mulligan, Whitney Conlon
AGAWAM VS AMHERST
HOCKEY
On Feb. 16, Agawam defeated Amherst 5-4 (OT) in a PVIAC Class B ice hockey quarterfinal tournament game played at Orr Arena in Amherst.
Andy Holton contributed 2 assists and 2 goals including the game-winner in overtime.
Agawam goalie Brady Blanchette gloves the Amherst shot for one of his 17 saves.
Zackary Hollister tries to block the Amherst clearing pass.
Nick Brown attempts to score on the rebound.
Ivan Gonzalez readies himself prior to the faceoff.
Agawam’s Jackson Bates jostles with Sawyer Arguin in front of the Amherst net.
Kaeden Clifford looks to pass during the first period.
Braden Parrelli’s slap shot hits the post.
Casey Thomas had 2 assists in the Brownies victory.
Anthony Barbarini awaits the centering pass.
The Brownies’ Brady Klinakis (L) and the Hurricanes’ Sawyer Ferro vie for the puck as it bounces between their skates.
House gets earful about protecting immigrants
By Ella Adams State House News Service
BOSTON — Between courthouse concerns, public safety obligations and state interaction with federal immigration officials, law enforcement, sheriffs, immigrants, lawmakers and advocates weighed in on March 3 on how they want the state to move on reforms affecting immigrants.
In December alone, there were 87 arrests in the Chelsea District Court, according to state Rep. Judith Garcia, who represents the small city of more than 40,000 just north of Boston.
Brenda Romero, who has lived in Chelsea for 12 years, said her husband was detained by agents while walking out of a courthouse after being approved for political asylum.
“In a matter of minutes, our joy turned into terror. For six months, my daughters have lived without a father,” Romero said in Spanish, translated into English. Black and Latino Legislative Caucus Chair Andy Vargas explained the strife in Massachusetts courts while testifying for the so-called PROTECT Act (H
5158). He was one of a chorus of people who said immigrants are fearful of federal enforcement at courthouses, and so are choosing to not testify or show up as witnesses.
“Violent and unconstitutional immigration enforcement is ravaging our community,” Chelsea City Manager Fidel Maltez told House members of the Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security. Close to 400 children have left the Chelsea Public Schools in the past year, as families “are afraid to leave their homes to go to work and send their children to school,” he said.
President Donald Trump’s administration has increased immigration action over the past year, pursuing the deportations promises he made as a candidate.
The increasingly violent tactics of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have caused protests to unfold across the country in recent months.
Some Massachusetts lawmakers rebuked Trump’s actions and ICE’s tactics, but it’s been more than a month since major proposals were offered to protect immi-
grants. The caucus unveiled its bill in January with safeguards for court proceedings, consistent due process and enforcement authority for the attorney general.
Gov. Maura Healey in January signed an executive order and filed a proposal as part of a spending bill that was sent to the House Ways and Means Committee.
The timeline for a proposal and votes is not clear. House Speaker Ron Mariano on the morning of March 4 said in a statement that the House will vote “this spring.” He said he expects “pragmatic legislative solutions that seek to protect Massachusetts residents from federal immigration agents, within the confines of state law.”
There were 614 federal immigration enforcement arrests in courthouses across Massachusetts last year, Vargas said. Committee member Rep. David Linsky recalled being stopped at the door of Framingham District Court by ICE agents as they were dragging a man out of the courthouse.
“I don’t know why he was there,” Linsky said. “But because he got brought out of the courthouse, what that means is that somebody else didn’t get justice that day.”
Rep. Priscila Sousa noted that while some immigrants are in federal custody, they miss their immigration appointments that would make them compliant. And speaking of a young pregnant woman in her district who was detained, despite attempting to go through proper legal channels to get charges dropped, Sen. Liz Miranda said, “If this isn’t state terror, I don’t know what actually is.”
While states can’t pass bills directing the conduct of federal immigration officials, “the Legislature can act to make sure the
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
Robert E. Connor
Margaret Faust
Ann M. Macey
Stephen D. Prew
Ronald B. Smith
Patsy J. Strom
FEEDING HILLS
Frederick T. Casiello
Carolyn J. Dorval
Lewis J. Gonet
Gary L. Stowe
Gail T. Stenta GRANVILLE
Deborah Ann “Debbie” Hansen (Broz) SOUTHWICK
Faye M. Parks
Marilyn Moore Riddle WEST SPRINGFIELD Kathleen T. Baker
Daniel J. Callahan
Lionel J. Couture
Raymonde Couture
Roberta M. DeMarco
Philip A. Greene
Rita A. Hannoush
Ralph R. Schmidt WESTFIELD
Harriet Gilman
Arlene M. Roselli
David Sullivan
state’s resources, institutions and spaces are not co-opted in ways that are inconsistent with our commonwealth’s values, constitutional guarantees and the protections of our residents,”
Deputy Attorney General Abby Taylor said.
Asked by state Rep. Steven Xiarhos about whether she agrees that people should be arrested for violent crimes, Taylor said she did but that the question at hand was about civil immigration enforcement.
“The vast majority we’ve seen since the beginning of the Trump administration has not been about violent criminals at all. It’s been about people who’ve committed no crimes or who committed low level offenses,” Taylor said. She added that she thinks ICE agents are being put “in a very bad position,” as they’re not being trained and told to arrest as many people as possible.
Under the 2017 Lunn court decision, Taylor added, state agencies can’t hold individuals on the basis of civil immigration detainers.
Barnstable County Sheriff Donna Buckley said that from the sheriffs’ perspective, concern arises when ICE is able to detain immigrants mid-legal process.
“If someone is in our facility, regardless of what the charges are, and they’re eligible for bail, and they post bail and they have a detainer, if ICE takes possession of that person, it trumps our criminal justice process,” Buckley said. “So yes, they may be charged with serious crimes, but we never get to finish the process. And I think that’s part of what we should be considering, because it’s not fair to the victims.”
The Massachusetts Sheriffs Association testified in favor of the bill, but suggested its name be changed. Law enforcement officials also fielded numerous questions about how immigration enforcement is impacting their work and public safety.
Local police have no authority to remove federal officials from a space or to interfere with their job, officers said. State Reps. Michelle Ciccolo and Linsky asked how police would respond to an ICE officer breaking and entering private property while enforcing a civil detainer without a judicial warrant.
“If someone’s being harmed, then we’re going to intervene. If another law enforcement agency is attempting their arrest, then our body cameras will be on and we’ll document the situation,”
Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association President Larry Calderone said.
“I want to be clear that we’re not going to interfere with federal officials in federal law unless there is an absolute crime being committed,” Calderone explained.
“The worry is in the back of everybody’s mind: ‘What if we are charged with a federal crime?’” Calderone continued. “And I need to stress to this panel as strongly as we possibly can, speaking for 20,000 law enforcement officers, that should or when this law is put into effect, please put a piece in there about indemnification for the men and women we represent.”
The caucus proposal bans any creation or renewal of 287(g) agreements that allow local law enforcement to carry out federal immigration officers’ responsibilities. It includes an exception for an agency seeking to work with federal enforcement agents, which Sheriff Buckley said “doesn’t make any sense.”
“There’s no need for us to be doing the work of ICE anywhere in Massachusetts,” Buckley said. The Department of Correction is partnered with federal immigration enforcement through the agreements.
Plymouth County Sheriff Joseph McDonald’s facility is the only one holding detainees on behalf of ICE. There are 474 men in ICE custody in his facility, their average length of stay is 20 days, and 243 of them claim an address in Massachusetts as their primary residence, McDonald said.
He agreed there’s no need for 287(g) agreements, and said that everyone in his facility has access to resources like medical care, prescriptions and attorneys, though sheriffs don’t have the authority to transport someone in federal custody to hearings without ICE’s signoff.
“This can be problematic, and I think in some other parts of the country may well become problematic, and something that we’re going to have to have some fairly high level discussions about going forward,” McDonald said.
Asked about the potential for virtual hearings for those in ICE custody, McDonald suggested more conversation and said “that’s something that we certainly could accommodate.” Ella Adams is a reporter for the State House News Service and State Affairs Massachusetts. Reach her at ella.adams@statehousenews.com.
DINING ENTERTAINMENT
Exhibit allows people to experience painting in new way
By Sarah Heinonen sheinonen@thereminder.com
SPRINGFIELD — An exhibit at the Springfield Museums allows people to explore an old painting in a brand-new way — with their hands.
The name of the exhibit, “Please Touch! A Tactile Exploration of Sante Graziani’s Mural,” a play on signs reading “Do Not Touch” that are commonly found in museums. An interactive exhibit, it allows people to physically explore a three-dimensional recreation of an artwork that is usually only experienced through the eyes.
The mural, an enormous 25foot by 7-foot plaster fresco, came about when the Museum of Fine Arts in Springfield, now the Michele and Donald D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts, hosted an international mural contest in 1943. At the time, mural art was popular in the United States, spurred on by works commissioned by the federal Works Progress Administration during the Great Depression. More than 80 artists from the United States, Mexico and Canada submitted designs to the contest that celebrated culture and art, but Gra-
ziani’s vision was unanimously chosen by the jury of judges. The fresco was painted in 1947.
The figures depicted in the work represent the arts scene of Springfield in the 1940s, highlighting painters, sculptors, photographers, architects, musicians, actors and dancers. Many of the individuals in the mural are not simply generic artists, but rather, are based on Graziani’s contemporaries and friends. These include sculptor Leonard Baskin, who was Graziani’s college roommate, and Springfield’s own soprano vocalist Adele Addison. Also included in the crowd were then-museum director Frederick Robinson and a depiction of the artist himself, as a child.
Meanwhile, in the mural, two walls are being erected, reflecting the growing, evolving nature of the museum. The walls visually divide the painting into three sections. In the background of the painting, there are well known Springfield buildings, including Old First Church and the Alexander House. The Van Norman Tool Company, which sponsored the mural contest, is seen on the right side of the mural.
The interactive exhibit presents museum goers with a
three-dimensional recreation of the artwork laid flat on a table in front of the mural. The layered relief adds a realistic quality to the art. Every bumpy rock, sharp-edged stair and rippled fabric is brought to life, making it feel as though the viewer just interrupted the movement of the scene’s subjects.
Beyond giving the mural more depth, the exhibit allows people with limited vision to experience the artwork, allowing fingertips to explore the people and their contributions to the arts. Buttons are set into the tactile recreation. When one runs their hands over a figure or object, it triggers an audio commentary about the painting, the art forms depicted, the mural competition and the artist.
The exhibit was made possible with support from FedEx, the National Federation of the Blind, MassCultural Council and Tactile Images, an organization that creates three-dimensional art to allow people living with limited sight to expand their enjoyment of art.
“Please Touch! A Tactile Exploration of Sante Graziani’s Mural” is on display in the Michele and Donald D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts through July 26.
The interactive layered relief of Sante Graziani’s painting, with the mural in the background.
Springfield Museums to unveil new dinosaur exhibit March 13
SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield Museums is proud to announce the debut of a bold new permanent exhibition at the Springfield Science Museum, Dinosaurs Still Live: The Story of Archosaurs, opening March 13. This dynamic, 1,400-square-foot gallery invites visitors of all ages to uncover the surprising connections between dinosaurs, birds, crocodilians and pterosaurs.
Dinosaurs Still Live blends hands-on discovery, immersive environments and engaging storytelling to spark curiosity and inspire learning across generations. With a contemporary design, a vibrant color palette, and family-focused interpretation, the exhibition marks an exciting new chapter for the Science Museum and reflects its commitment to inclusive, innovative education.
“Dinosaurs are one of the most
popular topics at Springfield Museums! Our visitors have asked to learn more about animals that were alive at the same time as dinosaurs, and this exhibit illustrates the process of evolution while highlighting two other important reptile families,” said Jenny Powers, director of the Springfield Science Museum. “The most requested new dinosaur was velociraptor, and I am proud to say that this exhibit will also fulfill that request. I hope that our visitors will consider this new exhibition as educationally rich as it is fun.”
Archosaurs are a group of animals that includes all birds and crocodiles, as well as their extinct relatives like dinosaurs, pterosaurs (flying reptiles) and some ancient reptiles that lived in the oceans or on land during the age of dinosaurs. Scientists define archosaurs as all animals that come from the
most recent common ancestor of today’s birds and crocodiles. Dinosaurs Still Live unfolds as a journey guided by four characters, each introducing a different chapter of the archosaur story:
• Hoot, Keeper of the Flock, introduces modern-day birds as living dinosaurs, featuring rotating displays of birds, along with their nests and eggs.
• Spike, Your Prehistoric Pal, leads visitors through the feathered dinosaurs and early evolutionary roots of flight, showcasing sculpted models and tactile learning experiences.
• Snap, King of the Crocs, brings mighty crocodilians to life — from the massive prehistoric Sarcosuchus to today’s American alligator — through climbable sculptures, skull replicas, and dramatic size comparisons.
• Breezy, Queen of the Skies,
explores the awe-inspiring world of pterosaurs, including full-scale silhouettes of Que zalcoatlus, a suspended Pteranodon, nesting scenes and a dramatic volcanic horizon.
Throughout the space, scenic elements and hands-on components encourage active learning, discovery and playmaking complex science approachable and exciting for children and caregivers alike.
Presented in both English and Spanish, Dinosaurs Still Live ensures accessibility for a wide audience and reflects Springfield Museums’ dedication to inclusive community engagement. Rotating displays, tactile features and interactive learning stations offer repeat visit value and fresh experiences year-round.
This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum
and Library Services. Additional support was provided by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts through the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism, with funding secured through the efforts of Senator Adam Gomez; and generous contributions from Harry and Lynne Ahern, Laurence and Barbara Derose, Bill and Patti Kelliher, and Susan Piccin.
“We are deeply grateful for the generous support that made this project possible,” says Kay Simpson, president and CEO of the Springfield Museums. “Funded in part by federal and state sources, along with the contributions of dedicated supporters, this initiative reflects a shared commitment to strengthening our ability to serve the community and provide enriching cultural experiences for all.”
BHN’s Kamp for Kids announces March 19 Golf FUNraiser
SPRINGFIELD — Behavioral Health Network’s Kamp for Kids program will host its 2026 Golf FUNraiser on Thursday, March 19, from 4–8 p.m. at Max’s Swing Lounge, 1000 Columbus Ave. The free community event supports BHN’s mission to provide accessible, inclusive summer camp experiences for children and young adults of all abilities. Registration for the March 19 FUNraiser at Max’s Swing Lounge is available at: KampGolf.eventbrite.com. The link is also accessible on BHN’s website and social media pages.
Last year Kamp celebrated its 50th anniversary with the inaugural FUNraiser, generating more than $30,000. BHN invites the community to help surpass last year’s goal for its 2026 FUNraiser. Instead of selling tickets to this year’s event, BHN invites support for Kamp for Kids by sponsoring, making a recurring monthly donation or giving a
one-time gift during the FUNraiser. Funds raised through sponsorships and voluntary contributions directly support the program’s operations and help ensure that families across Western Massachusetts continue to have access to high quality, integrative summer programming.
BHN encourages participation from individuals, local businesses and community organizations. Support may be provided through event sponsorships, recurring monthly contributions or donations during the evening program. Sponsorship information is available by contacting Kelly Brown at kelly.brown@bhninc. org or 413-654 0930.
Founded in 1975 by Dick and Judy Hoyt, Kamp for Kids was created to offer an inclusive camp
experience for their son Rick, who had cerebral palsy, and his brothers without disabilities. Over the years, the Hoyts have championed disability inclusion, inspiring countless families worldwide. Today, Kamp for Kids continues to honor their legacy, demonstrating that every child — regardless of ability — deserves the chance to participate in meaningful, fun, and educational experiences.
Kamp for Kids serves approximately 150 children and young adults ages 5-22, both with and without disabilities, hailing from cities and towns throughout Western Mass. Each summer, the camp provides a unique environment for growth and inclusion, offering activities such as expressive arts, outdoor education, arts & crafts, non-competitive sports,
and a spray park — all designed to create a sense of belonging and joy for every camper.
“Kamp for Kids enters our next 50 years with a renewed commitment to expanding opportunities for children and young adults of all abilities,” said Anne Benoit, Program Director of Kamp for Kids. “As we look ahead, continued community support is essential to sustaining a camp environment where every participant can learn, connect, and thrive.” Proceeds from the 2026 Golf FUNraiser will directly benefit Kamp for Kids, helping ensure that this essential and inclusive program continues to grow and serve families for years to come.
Reminder Publishing photo by Sarah Heinonen
ELECTRICIAN
EAST LONGMEADOW -
THURSDAY,
HOOK DELIVERY
144 Papers: St. Joseph Dr., Wisteria Ln., Pembroke Terr., Rockingham Cir., Dartmouth Ln., Partial - Prospect St., Chestnut St., Somers Rd.
129 Papers: Gerrard Ave., Holy Cross Cir., Kingston Ave., Lombard Ave., Nelson St., Roderick Ave., Partial- N. Main St.
166 Papers: Braeburn Rd., Channing Rd., Tufts St., Van Dyke Rd., Wood Ave., Boulder St., Admiral St., Thompson St., Partial-Dwight Rd. (odd side only)
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327 Papers: Melwood Ave., Chestnut St., Bluegrass Dr., Maple St., Powder Hill Rd., Fairhaven Dr.
174 Papers: Orchard Rd., Pine Grove Cir., Partial-Parker St., Porter Rd., Allen St.
150 Papers: Breezy Knoll Rd., Elm St., Mapleshade Ave., Pleasant St., Oak Bluff Cir.
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54 Papers: Bliss Rd.
87 Papers: Andover Rd., Ashford Rd., Cranwell Ln., Deerfield Ave., Willow Cir., Williston Dr., Willow Brook Rd., Partial - Frank Smith Rd.
157 Papers: Albemarle Rd., Arcadia St., Barclay St., Chiswick St., Fairway Dr., Franklin Rd., Lincoln Pk., Whitmun Rd., Woodmont Rd.
96 Papers: Brookwood Dr., Kenmore Dr., Knollwood Dr., Partial - Shaker Rd.
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115 Papers: Hopkins Pl., Hawthorn St., Fairfield Ter., Laurel Ln., Partial-Laurel St.
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65 Papers: Park Dr., Brittany Rd., Normandy Rd., Partial-E. Greenwich Rd., Colony Rd.
149 Papers: Prynne Ridge Rd., Wyndward Rd., Wildwood Glen, Maplewood St., Partial-Maple Rd.
WILBRAHAM - THURSDAY, HOOK DELIVERY
35 Papers: Arbor Ln., Greenwood Rd., Oak Ridge Dr., Old Orchard Rd. 61 Papers: Gary Dr., Pidgeon Dr., Raymond Dr., Ruth Dr., Sawmill Dr. 228 Papers: Echo Hill Rd., Highmoor Dr.,
