Markey, Moulton clash in first debate
By Tyler Garnet tgarnet@thereminder.com
CHICOPEE — U.S. Sen. Ed Markey and challenger U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton clashed over leadership, policy and experience during their first head-to-head debate on July 8 at the WWLP TV-22 Studios.
The format, which offered voters a preview of the race ahead of the Sept. 1 primary, included a panel of Tony Fay from WWLP, Dave Madsen from Western Mass News, Elizabeth Román from NEPM and Jim Kinney of The Republican-MassLive asking the candidates questions. The debate covered a range of topics, including age and experience, ethics and finances, healthcare, transgender athletes, infrastructure, immigration and the West-East Rail.
Markey, the incumbent, is looking to secure another sixyear term. He was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1976. He has served in the Senate since 2013. If victorious, Markey said this would be his last time running for reelection,
“I need one more term to finish the agenda, this progressive agenda,” Markey stated. “And then I will step down. But we need to complete the agenda. We need Medicare for all, we need a green new deal, we need to make sure that we are fighting for every family who is out there who justifiably feels that they have been left behind.”
Moulton said he thinks the U.S. Senate could use a bit of a tune-up and argued for a new generation of leaders. Moulton is currently the U.S. Representative for Massachusetts’ Sixth District, which is composed of most of Essex County, including Tewksbury, Lynn and Gloucester.
“A lot of people in Massachusetts feel like they don’t have a voice in politics, and they’re
struggling to afford basic needs, and we need a fighter,” Moulton said. “We need someone who’s going to change the playbook, invest in a new generation of the years and start making Democrats win again.”
On the topic of his age and if it could affect his ability to serve the commonwealth, Markey stated,
“This is the most energized I’ve ever been. Fighting [President] Donald Trump every single day, fighting his agenda to undermine families all across our country.”
Moulton stated that the focus should not be on Markey’s age but rather on the fact that the playbook has not been working for the last 50 years.
“We need new ideas and a new playbook because a 50-year-old playbook is just not delivering for our country, for Massachusetts,” Moulton stated.
Moulton spoke about his American Affordability Agenda, a comprehensive plan focused on housing, healthcare and education. He said he believes housing, healthcare and education should be human rights.
Markey said he supports Medicare for all and has supported the Millionaires Tax in 2022 that raised $5 billion to pay for
education for kids in schools in Massachusetts. He also opposed the defense budget seven months ago, giving $1 billion to conduct the wars in Venezuela and Iran.
“My goal is to continue to fight for every day, to make sure every child has a very strong floor and an unlimited ceiling, and we’re going to need the healthcare and education money in order to accomplish that goal,” Markey stated.
The topic that caused the most debate between the two candidates was the issue of transgender athletes. The Supreme Court recently upheld state laws in Idaho and West Virginia that ban transgender women and girls from competing in women’s and girls’ sports at public schools and universities.
Fay noted that Moulton publicly condemned the Supreme Court ruling, but in 2024, he was quoted in the New York Times saying that Democrats “spent too much time trying not to offend anyone” and that he wouldn’t want his daughters “getting run over on a playing field by a male or formerly male athletes.”
At the debate, Moulton said he stands with everyone in the LGBTQ community. “I stand
with you because I always stood with you. I have seen the pain you are going through because of this hateful Trump administration.”
Markey claimed that the LGBTQ community has endorsed him in this race and applauded Fay’s question because “after the 2024 election, Congressman Moulton decided that he was going to throw trans kids under the bus, the political bus, and blame them for the loss of the 2024 election.”
Looking at Western Massachusetts specifically, the candidates discussed the highly anticipated West-East Rail, which Markey said he and his colleague, U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, secured $157 million in federal funding for.
Moulton argued that the current proposed speed of the train is too slow, and the funding secured will only pay for “10 miles of rail,” which is not enough to get to Boston.
“No one’s going to ride your train because it’s too slow, and you’ve had 50 years in Washington to get this done, and it’s not done,” Moulton stated. “Meanwhile, the rest of the world is passing us by.”
A pair of teens have identified a need in their community’s petowning population, and they are taking the steps to address it.
Page 4 WEST SPRINGFIELD
Two Weeks Notice Brewing Co. taproom to close
Two Weeks Notice Brewing Co. has announced final call on its taproom.
U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton (left) and U.S. Sen. Ed Markey (right) talk to reporters after their first debate. Reminder Publishing photos by Tyler Garnet
Submit your community listings online at thereminder.com/ submit-an-event/ or by emailing dhackett@ thereminder.com. Events are subject to review and 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
TOWN EVENTS
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 & Trivia — Tuesday, July 21, at 6:30 p.m. in the Clini Community Room. There will be a couple of rounds of both Jeopardy and pub-style trivia, and prizes will be awarded to the winning teams. The questions are the same as the session that took place on Wednesday, July 15.
• Library Tech Classes: Learning about Libby — Monday, July 20, at 10 a.m. Silent Book Club — Thursday,
July 23, from 6-8:30 p.m. Silent reading time will run from 6:308 p.m. and there will be optional socialization time from 6-6:30 p.m. and 8-8:30 p.m.
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. All ages programs: T-Rex Tea Party — Tuesday, July 21, at 10 a.m. — A “Tea
Rex” party is a wildly fun, charmingly contrasting theme that combines elegant afternoon tea with ferocious dinosaurs. For ages 3 and up with their adults.
Children’s programs:
• Family Movie Matinee (for all ages) — Monday, July 20, starting at 2:30 p.m. Bring a blanket and relax to a fun movie. July’s movie is “The Good Dinosaur”
• Pajama Story Time (for ages 0–5) — Monday, July 20, 6–6:45 p.m. Come to the library wearing your jammies and bring a stuffie for this program. Family Crafternoon — Tuesday, July 21, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Drop in crafts for ages 3 and up. While supplies last.
• Summer Storytime — Thursdays in July from 10-10:45 a.m. Adult programs: Art Wall Reception with Carol Adamski-Maggi — Tuesday, July 21, at 5:30 p.m. West Springfield Historic Burial Grounds with Robert Comeau — Wednesday, July 22, at 6 p.m. Enjoy a night of unearthing local history with Robert Comeau of the historic tour group Canal Days as attendees take a walk through the history of these ancient sites.
The Hampden County 4-H & Youth Fair returns Saturday, July 25
WEST SPRINGFIELD — The 73rd Hampden County 4-H & Youth Fair is taking place at the Eastern States Exposition’s Mallary Complex, Saturday, July 25, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The one-day event showcases participating 4-Her’s accomplishments from the past year — animal projects, handmade crafts, gardening, art, photography, robotics and much more. Admission and parking are free to the public.
The Pedal Thru Youth Bike Rodeo is back as well. The Bike Rodeo is a fun way to teach chil-
Debate
Moulton argued that if Massachusetts had a high-speed rail between Springfield and Boston, one could get from downtown [Springfield] to downtown [Boston] in 40 minutes, connecting the state and enhancing job opportunities. The debate also focused on rising healthcare costs and changes to Medicare and Medicaid that are taking place this fall,
dren the rules of the road while practicing safe bicycling. PTY is a nonprofit organization that promotes an active and healthy lifestyle among youths. The organization donates bikes and helmets to children and families who may not be able to afford one on their own. PTY partners with local charities, law enforcement and public schools to serve local communities.
Schedule of events (subject to change):
• 9 a.m. Fun Run*
• 9:30 a.m. Dairy, Goat, and Rab-
changes that many say will hurt beneficiaries.
Markey said, “Next year, after we win the majority in the Senate, I will be the chair of the Health Subcommittee in the United States Senate.” He said his first order of business would be to restore all the Medicare cuts, including the $1 trillion that the Trump administration cut from the budget. He also wants to restore the $300 billion from the Affordable Care Act.
“And then we have to go beyond that. We have to double
bit Shows; Food Booth Opens*
• 10 a.m. Working Steer, Sheep and Dog Shows; Bottle Rocket Launch*; Arts and Crafts* / Wheel of Knowledge*; Raffle Tickets on Sale*
11 a.m. Model Horse Show; Pedal Thru Youth Bike Rodeo*
• 12 p.m. Beef Show
• 1 p.m. Visual, Public Speaking and Performing Arts/Talent Show Presentations
• 1 p.m. Pedal Tractor Pull*
3 p.m. Fashion Revue
• 3:30 p.m. Lead Line and Wool Competition
funding for community health centers. We have to double the funding for [National Institutes of Health] research,” Markey said. “In Western Massachusetts, I have stood up and have fought. I have met with all the hospital leaders out here, and we are going to deliver beginning of January of next year.”
Moulton said he agreed with Markey’s ideas, but stated, “This doesn’t happen by magic. You have to fight to win the majority.”
Both candidates spoke against current immigration laws and
• 4 p.m. Awards Presentation
*Participation is open to all youth attendees
Participation in the Hampden County 4-H & Youth Fair is open to all youth ages 5 to 18 years old from Hampden County and registered 4-H members from all other counties. The purpose of the fair is to recognize youth for their achievements on projects that they have made, grown or raised during the past year. Public is encouraged to attend, learn more about the program and applaud the successes of participants.
agreed that they must continue to fight for those in the minority communities who feel they are under attack.
After the debate, Markey said, “It’s No Kings, it’s indivisible, and I’m a leader of this movement because we have to just have a higher vision for what the Democratic Party stands for, and that’s Medicare, that’s the green new deal, that’s taxing billionaires. That’s not self-enrichment but the enrichment of every family in our country.”
Moulton also provided a fi-
The Hampden County 4-H & Youth program, established in 1953, is a branch of the University of Massachusetts Extension 4-H Youth Development Program. 4-H is America’s largest youth development organization — empowering nearly six million young people with ‘Beyond Ready’ skills to lead for a lifetime.
For more information on Hampden County 4-H, visit hampdencounty4hyouthfair.org . To learn about Pedal Thru Youth, visitpedalthruyouth.org.
nal message after the debate.
“I thought it was great. It was a clear contrast between a senator who’s been in Washington for 50 years and is very comfortable bending the establishment and the status quo. Talked a lot about the different things that have been tried over the last 50 years, most of which have failed, and in contrast, I’m putting forward new ideas, a new vision, a new generation of leadership, with a simple acknowledgment that the old plans haven’t worked.”
As overdose deaths decline, experts say vigilance still needed
By Katie Castellani State House News Service
BOSTON — State Rep. Kate Donaghue hears stories all the time about someone saving another person’s life with naloxone.
Indeed, the Westborough Democrat largely credited the dip in the number of opioid-related overdose fatalities — which fell below 1,000 last year in Massachusetts for the first time since 2013 — to increased access to the overdose reversal drug naloxone as well as awareness and testing for fentanyl. Naloxone is often referred to by the brand
name Narcan.
The number of opioid-related fatalities has steadily decreased since Donaghue began hosting naloxone training sessions at the State House, she said. In 2022, there were 2,364 deaths and the number fell below 2,000 in 2024, Donaghue said on July 7 during this year’s training session, which drew dozens into the State House’s Great Hall.
“Harm reduction, a focus on compassionate care, access to overdose reversal agents like naloxone and educating the public on overdose relapse have saved,
and will continue to save, many lives every year,” Donaghue said. Her son, Brian, died in 2018 as a result of an overdose.
Even though the number of overdose deaths is falling, it’s crucial to continue addressing the issue, said Stephen Murray, the associate director of overdose prevention at Boston Medical Center who ran the training. And he said this is especially true as the state’s drug supply continues changing. Recently, the concentration of fentanyl has dropped, which means there is a lower risk of fatal overdoses, but
the drug supply can still “change on a dime and go the other way again,” he said. “Part of the problem is when the numbers go down, we have a loss in interest in sort of keeping our eye on the target here, which is to reduce this down further. So, our reductions are only just bringing us back to pre-COVID,” Murray, who is also the director of the SafeSpot Overdose Hotline, told the News Service. “A lot of us were doing this work pre-COVID. So, the bump was a terrible bump, but also not the starting point or the ending point
for the work that we’re doing. So, let’s not let the COVID adjustment get us distracted.”
Earlier this year, the Commission on Public Health Effects of Xylazine — created in 2024 in response to the proliferation of xylazine, a cheap veterinary sedative sometimes found cutting illicit drugs — recommended the state create a new standing group to monitor illegal drug supplies and boost education on adulterants. Commissioners found the presence of xylazine is declining while other contaminants are cropping up in the drug supply.
Invasive clams confirmed along state’s northeastern coastline
By Colin A. Young State House News Service
BOSTON — It all started with reports of “weird clams” around Provincetown in 2023.
Then a 2025 text message led to a two-pronged investigation that ultimately confirmed the suspicions of researchers: the invasive Manila clam has established itself along the northwestern Atlantic coastline.
On July 7, a team of biologists led by the University of Massachusetts Amherst announced their confirmation, which was part of a report published in Biological Invasions. The coastlines of the
Northeast states were the “last place in the northern hemisphere to have remained Manila-clam free,” UMass said. The species was based in a range from Russia’s Sakhalin Islands through Japan and southern China before being spread both accidentally and intentionally.
Though invasive, the researchers said the presence of the Manila clam is not all bad news. Besides being “a delicious clam” that has grown into a $7 billion industry, the Manila clam could also take some pressure off native species by providing a new food source for seabirds, crabs and other animals that feed on shellfish.
“Given that Manila clams are everywhere else in the northern hemisphere, it was only a matter of time before they showed up here, and we’ve been keeping an eye out for them,” Aly Putnam, a marine scientist and postdoctoral researcher at UMass Amherst and lecturer at Smith College, said.
Putnam co-authored the paper on the findings. The discovery was the result of a the convergence of two parallel tracks: one that began in 2023 when a group led by the Center for Coastal Studies heard reports from local clammers of “weird clams” in Provincetown and around the Cape; and another that really
kicked off when Putnam got a picture of a clam via text from El Fernekees Hartshorn, a recent University of Rhode Island undergraduate who had worked with Putnam before, suggesting it could be a Manila clam.
Putnam was leading a mini workshop on intertidal biodiversity on Spectacle Island in Boston Harbor at the time and was with Carolina Bastidas, research scientist with MIT Sea Grant. The pair decided they would keep an eye out for Manila clams at Spectacle Island and they found their shells “in abundance.” They later dug at other locations and found live clams, as well as evidence of reproduction. An inquiry into the “weird clams” off Provincetown turned up evidence of female Manila clams that had reproduced, too. Fernekees Hartshorn and Bastidas were co-authors on the paper.
“Finding the species is only the beginning. Now we are working to understand its distribution, if these populations are expanding and how these clams interact with other species in New England coastal systems. This research will help us determine whether this newcomer becomes a minor addition to the ecosystem or a more influential player in the years ahead,” Putnam said.
Springfield Thunderbirds announce summer 2026 event calendar
SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield Thunderbirds will continue to be a busy presence in the Greater Springfield community throughout the offseason, as the team has announced its summer event calendar.
The T-Birds Community Caravan, with support from MassMutual, will host three more dates of fun throughout the summer months:
• Friday, July 24 at The Landing outside the MassMutual Center, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Featuring live
music, local farm stands, artisans, food vendors, face painters and balloon artists. The caravan will coincide with the Thunderbirds Tag Sale (noon to 6 p.m.) inside MassMutual Center at T-Birds Merch Store — Game worn jersey sales snd special merchandise offerings and savings only available in person.
• Friday, July 31, at the Basketball Hall of Fame, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Kids dressed in T-Birds gear receive free admission to the Hall of Fame museum; par-
ents will receive discounted admission. Benefiting Foundation for TJO Animals — fans are encouraged to bring dry/wet dog & cat food for donation; everyone who donates will be entered to win four T-Birds game tickets and a T-Birds prize pack
• Saturday, Aug. 22, at Amelia Park Arena (Westfield), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Caravan will coincide with T-Birds Street Hockey Tournament (9 a.m. to 2 p.m.) Ages 9-12; games to be played 3-on-3. Registration includes
one ticket to Opening Night and T-shirt for each player. There will be public ice skating inside Amelia Park Arena (skate rental available) Additionally, the Thunderbirds are proud to collaborate with the Springfield Hockey Heritage Society to be part of the Heritage Society’s annual HockeyDay on Saturday, July 25, from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Better Living Center at the Big E. The annual event will kick off a celebration of 100 Years of Hockey in Springfield, dating
back to the original Springfield Indians of the Canadian-American Hockey League in 1926. Numerous past Springfield Indians, Kings and Falcons are scheduled to appear as part of the celebration, which is open to the public. Tickets are available here: tinyurl.com/mrnwjtuu. Thunderbirds’ 2026-27 season tickets are available now — fans can reserve their seat by visiting SpringfieldThunderbirds.com or by calling 413-739-4625.
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, NateHalla, Whitney Conlon
Teens to build pet pantry at Agawam Dog Park
By Sarah Heinonen sheinonen@thereminder.com
AGAWAM — A pair of teens have identified a need in their community’s pet-owning population, and they are taking the steps to address it. Sisters Marie and Angelina Wells wanted to do something to help people and, being animal lovers, the answer was simple: an open pantry for pets and their owners.
Marie and her father, Marty Wells, sat on a bench at the Agawam Dog Park recently, watching dogs play and discussing the project. Marie said she and her sister were looking for a passion project. She said, “It’s not just, like, to put on a college resume. I really want to do something that will help out my community. I grew up in Agawam my whole life and I love all the pets and everyone.”
People of every economic status have pets as companions, including Agawam’s seniors. “It can be hard to take care of them and have enough food for them if you’re struggling financially,” Marie said. “So, me and my sister decided a pet pantry would be perfect for our community and just help everyone out.”
Marie and Angelina are working with their uncle, Dan Thibeault, who Marty said, has “the construction experience.” Thibeault designed the pantry, an 8-foot tall cabinet that is 5 feet wide, with 4-foot deep shelves. It would be located outside the dog park’s fenced area. Marty said the pantry will be cemented to the ground for stability and will need to be locked to prevent wild animals from accessing the food. “Our main concern is vandalism and bears,” Marie said.” She said they are considering installing a lock that is connected to a QR code. Users could scan the code to access the pantry during the
dog park’s hours, between 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
The Wellses are planning to stock the pantry with free bags of dog and cat food, leashes and other pet necessities, through donations. “So many people have reached out. It’s been so nice,” Marie said. Marty said they have already received donations, gift cards and coupons from people in the community.
To stock the pantry, the Wellses raised money through a bake sale, and Marie said that the Helping Hands club at Agawam High School, where the sisters are rising juniors, is willing to help with a fundraiser or donation supply. Additionally, the Thomas J. O’Connor Animal Control & Adoption Cen-
ter provided the Wellses with a list of resources, including supermarkets that may be willing to donate unsold items.
A project on town-owned land requires town approval. The Wellses first approached the town’s Parks & Recreation Department, which operates the dog park. From there, they needed to bring it before the City Council and receive the mayor’s approval. Marie said the process was a little intimidating, but the sisters and their uncle had thought out the project and answered questions from town officials with ease.
For the Wellses, caring for animals will not end with this project. This summer, Angelina attended a veterinary in-
ternship at the University of Massachusetts Chan School of Medicine and plans to enroll in veterinary school after high school. Marie has her sights set on marine biology and conservation. She participated in the Washington Youth Summit on the Environment at George Mason University at the beginning of July. “They both have this energy,” said Marty. “It’s kind of hard to keep up.”
Marie expects the pantry to be operational by the end of July. People interested in donating to the Wells Open Paw Pantry can contact Marie or Angelina on Instagram at @ wellspetpantry or on Facebook at @wellsopenpetpantry.
Above, Marie and Angelina Wells with their dog.
Reminder Publishing submitted photo
Two Weeks Notice Brewing Co. taproom to
By Peter Tuohy ptuohy@thereminder.com
WEST SPRINGFIELD — Two Weeks Notice Brewing Co. has announced final call on its West Springfield taproom as it prepares to stop operations due to rising costs.
In that announcement, the business said it will continue brewing and distributing original beverages.
The brewery opened in 2017 at 110 Bosworth St., followed by the taproom in 2019. The company said in its closure announcement that the taproom will remain open “as long as we have beer left.”
Founder and head brewer
Mark Avery began Two Weeks Notice after years of independent brewing in a journey that began on Christmas morning in 2011. The name comes from Avery’s wish to quit his desk job and pursue owning and operating his own brewery.
“It started with a simple homebrew kit that my wife bought me for Christmas after expressing, you know, wanting to homebrew at some point,” Avery said. “As I started brewing more and more at home, I started buying more equipment. A lot of people will say, ‘the bug bit me,’ with brewing and then around 2014, 2015, is when the big boom of breweries started to happen.”
Avery began entering homebrew competitions and winning,
bringing the thought into his mind that he could take his craft to the next level.
“It took about two or three years to get Two Weeks Notice off the ground, we had a hard time finding a spot,” Avery said. “West Springfield actually reached out to us when they knew that we were looking to start a brewery somewhere here in Western Massachusetts. They’ve been great to us. It felt great to have somebody wanting to have a brewery in their town.”
The brewery first sold original canned batches out of a makeshift frame in a garage door before eventually expanding to the taproom in 2019. Avery said he knew he wanted a spot with music and events, and the taproom’s space was perfect for it.
The taproom would go on to put on events like Oktoberfest, St. Patrick’s Day parties, emo nights, open mic nights and wrestling matches. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Avery said sales continued through a drive-through window.
“We kept pushing forward, building events and building a community,” Avery said. “We got a bigger brew system and shifted more into distribution, so then our beer started getting sent all over the state of Massachusetts.”
Avery said it started to become tougher to break even due to utilities, taxes, payroll and the rising cost of raw goods, which led to
the difficult decision to close the taproom.
“Since the announcement of closure, we’ve had nothing but an outpouring of support from our community,” Avery said. “I think that shows what Two Weeks Notice meant to a lot of people. It’s a very unexpected thing to happen because when you’re running a business, you don’t really see it and then you realized how much this place meant to a lot of people and it’s pretty humbling to see.”
He added the taproom’s closure will “hopefully save us on a lot of things and we’ll be able to right the ship on our end” as distribution continues.
“Hopefully someday the taproom reopens, we don’t really know,” Avery said. “We’re not saying that it’s never going to reopen, but we don’t really know with the way the beer industry is now. I wish we all had a crystal ball because I know a lot of people within the industry were waiting for it to turn around again … we’re kind of doing what we can to keep rolling.”
He said there are too many memories to count, and the regulars have all become family.
“We’ve become so close to so many people,” Avery said. “Good beer isn’t a good business plan, but providing a space that’s warm and loving for people and providing memories is. There’s people who have been commenting on all the posts, talking about their
favorite things. I’m eternally grateful for being able to provide events and memories like that for people. That’s something I never really expected when I started homebrewing. I started seeing what it was doing to people and what it was providing for them, that’s always going to be the greatest accomplishment we’ve ever had here.”
This isn’t the end for Two Weeks Notice, and Avery said the business has always fought back and come out on top during tough times. He said the outpouring of
support is “lighting a fire under my butt to right the ship even more and get this place back open for people that have supported us throughout the years.”
“It’s gonna be a very emotional time,” Avery said. “I know a lot of people that are gonna be coming here and there’s gonna be a lot of tears shed and a lot of laughs talking about the past. We hope to continue providing those times eventually at some point … I’m forever grateful to everybody that’s walked through these doors. I’m just very thankful.”
ESE names executive assistant to the president and chief executive officer
WEST SPRINGFIELD — Mary Lee Walsh of Springfield has started a full-time venture as executive assistant to the president and chief executive officer of Eastern States Exposition. In this role, she will provide high-level administrative, operational and strategic support to the CEO and Executive Office. She will be a trusted partner and ensure seamless daily operations, proactive coordination and clean communication across the organization.
“Creating community and being a people person are my strengths,” said Walsh. “My ability to connect with others, my organized nature and foresight will all serve me well in this role.”
Walsh earned her bachelor’s degree in social science from Providence College in Providence,
Rhode Island. She also spent time studying abroad in London, England, through Richmond American University. Prior to joining ESE, Walsh’s career history prepared her to be a partner to senior executives, supporting them across complex, high-visibility industries.
As the associate director of Philanthropy at Shriner’s Children’s New England in Springfield, she managed a portfolio of donors, oversaw confidential records and built relationships to advance the organization’s mission. She gained experience in major event management, taking responsibility for guest registration, logistics and leadership briefings for the organization’s 100th anniversary gala.
At Bay Path University in Longmeadow, Walsh was assistant
director of Alumni Relations and Engagement. During this time, she drafted executive communications, planned and executive more than 30 alumni events annually and collaborated with the president’s office, university leadership and the alumni community to cultivate strategic partnerships on behalf of the institution.
Other roles that have prepared Walsh well for ESE include associate operations manager at Cap & Hitch of New England, executive assistant to the President and CEO of Special Olympics Massachusetts, director of Constituent Services for the Office of state Sen. Eric Lesser and a director’s assistant for “Everybody Hates Chris” in Hollywood, Calif.
Walsh is known for her philanthropic efforts outside of the work-
place; she has served on the boards of directors for Dress for Success of Western Mass. and the Association of Fundraising Professionals of Western Mass. She has volunteered her time with Special Olympics Massachusetts, readaloud programs through Springfield Public Schools and The Hole in The Wall Gang Camp.
When asked what about the position and broader organization attracted her to ESE, Walsh stated, “A fair means bringing joy to people in the same way entertainment always does, and that brings my story full circle. The opportunity to support visionary leadership and contribute to an organization with a rich history and far-reaching impact is one I am honored to embrace.”
Of Walsh, ESE President and
CEO Gene Cassidy said, “I am excited to welcome Mary Lee to the Eastern States Exposition team. She has a great deal of experience across a range of industries, and I am looking forward to working closely with her.”
4 p.m. on
July 9, a steady stream of customers was coming into the Two Weeks Notice Brewing Co. taproom to show support.
Reminder Publishing photo by Chris Maza
Mary Lee Walsh. Reminder Publishing submitted photo
BASEBALL
West Springfield reliever Aidan MacLeod delivers to the plate.
Cam Allen relaxes in the batting cage prior to the game.
Tim LaPalme runs to first after putting down the sacrifice bunt.
Tim LaPalme picks the high hopper to short.
Starting pitcher Matt Machos rocks and fires.
Terriers second baseman Jake Bennett charges the slow roller and tosses to first for the out.
Jayden Diaz dives safely back to first base on the pick-off attempt.
Jake Bennett leads from third as West Side batter Jayden Diaz takes ball 2.
Aidan MacLeod gets a good pitch to hit.
West Side catcher Evan Fields throws to second base.
John Chaloux connects for the single.
CitySpace to welcome the 2026 Pay It Forward artist cohort
EASTHAMPTON — CitySpace is pleased to announce the artists selected for its 2026 Pay It Forward program, a residency and performance initiative that supports creative performers across Western Massachusetts with rehearsal space, stipends, professional development and opportunities to share original performances with new audiences.
Now in its fifth year, Pay It Forward provides artists from Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties with free access to CitySpace’s Blue Room, along with stipends, rehearsal time and professional development through peer learning, mentorship and coaching. The program supports artists as they develop new work and share it with audiences in an accessible, community-centered performance space.
From August 2026 through February 2027, the Blue Room at Old Town Hall will host public performances by the cohort, with projects spanning music, theater, dance, storytelling, puppetry and multimedia performance. Many of the works will be presented as part of an ongoing creative process developed during each art-
ist’s residency. The first performance in this year’s Pay It Forward Series will be by artist Sable Island Pony. She said, “Pay It Forward comes at exactly the right time for me. As I prepare to release my first single and work toward my first album, this opportunity feels like a meaningful vote of confidence in the work. I’m especially excited to collaborate with other artists to transform the room into an immersive space where the songs, paintings, stories, and community that have grown together over the years can all exist side by side.”
Performance highlights from the 2026 Pay It Forward series include:
• Aug. 22 — Sable Island Pony. A live presentation of Sable Island Pony’s upcoming album, blending lo-fi folk, indie rock, poetry, distorted guitar and immersive visual elements designed with local artist Makoto Chi. Hosted by poet and writer Terran Rainer.
• Oct. 17 — The Maison of Saint Morta. A performance by the Springfield-based ballroom house led by House Head Lon-
don Saint, featuring dance, runway and performance rooted in ballroom traditions of artistry, confidence and self-expression.
• Nov. 20-21 — Devi Badea, Quarters in the Water. A theater-art hybrid one-woman show that invites audiences into Devi Badea’s fifth “birthday” of transition through music, stand-up, sketches and storytelling about her relationship with her late mother.
• Dec. 11 and Feb. 5, 2027 — Leo Harrison. Jazz vocalist Leo Harrison returns to performance with music that blends jazz, hip hop, Black American blues and modern folktales, voicing ancestral connections, forgotten legends and stories rarely heard.
• Dec. 12 — Scott Hsu. A release show by Taiwanese-American rock/pop/electronica artist Scott Hsu, featuring a threepiece band, English and Mandarin lyrics, storytelling, lights and an opening act.
Dec. 18-19 — Kate Ciolkowski-Winters. A short collaborative play using puppetry, human actors, video art, shadow puppets, crankies and other
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
Sally Daboul Mitson (Hanna)
Joanne Marie Simone
FEEDING HILLS
Estelle A. Brinegar Robert Cecchi
Solange B. Gaudreault
forms to explore memory, belonging and playfulness.
• Jan. 8-9, 2027 — Ken Harris, “Foes of a Minimum Wage Guard”. An original oneman theatrical performance in which Ken Harris portrays twelve characters in a story about an aging retail worker facing workplace pressure, discrimination, economic insecurity and the fight for dignity.
• Jan. 29-30, 2027 — Bella Levavi and Ang Buxton. A talent show in the form of a late-night talk show, featuring characters from the public domain and
shaped by Bella Levavi and Ang Buxton’s work in comedy, puppetry and performance. The Pay It Forward program is generously made possible by the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts, Massachusetts Cultural Council, Greenfield Savings Bank, Greenfield Northampton Cooperative Bank, Never Give Up, Tom Schiff Consulting and Tandem Bagel Company. For more information about the Pay It Forward program, full artist bios and performance schedule, visit cityspaceeasthampton.org/pif.
Pay It Forward 2026 artists Sable Island Pony, The Maison of Saint Morta, Devi Badea, Leo Harrison, Scott Hsu, Kate Ciolkowski-Winters, Ken Harris, Bella Levavi and Ang Buxton.
Photo credit: Darian Gonzalez
Glasgow Lands Festival to celebrate the spirit of Scotland for 31st year
By Trent Levakis tlevakis@thereminder.com
NORTHAMPTON — The spirit of Scotland will once again take over Look Park for the 31st annual Glasgow Lands Scottish Festival on Saturday, July 18.
As the only festival of its kind in the state and the second largest in New England, the day-long rain-or-shine celebration offers attendees an immersive journey into Celtic culture through worldclass music, heavy athletics and authentic traditions, according to organizers.
“It’s so rewarding, and every year we worry about so many things, but everything always comes together in the end, and the end result is that we have 5-6,000 people and there is something for everyone. It’s a family event,” festival Chair Peter Langmore told Reminder Publishing
The Glasgow Lands Scottish Festival was founded in 1994 at the Blandford Fairgrounds. Originally intended by its founding committee — which included Langmore — to be a one-time fundraiser to restore the historic White Church in Blandford, the event was so successful that it became an annual tradition that’s lasted over three decades.
The festival’s name honors the history of Blandford itself, which was originally settled in 1735 by Ulster Scots and known as “Glasgow Lands,” or “New Glasgow.” As the event grew, it moved to Stanley Park in Westfield in 1999 before finding its permanent home at Look Park in 2004. According to organizers, it has remained a premier celebration of Scottish arts, supporting local nonprofits and providing scholarships for piping, drumming and dance students.
Festivities will kick off at 9 a.m., and the Ceilidh Tent will be the go-to spot for high-energy Celtic music, continuing all day until the event’s closing at 8:30 p.m. Headliners will include Glasgow-based Albannach, Pipe Dream, and Celtic-rock bands Seven Nations and Haggis x-1. The festival will also feature popup music performed by Young Folk and a performance by the Pioneer Valley Harpers Guild. Grand opening ceremonies are set for 11:30 a.m. and will once again feature over 30 competing pipe bands and nearly 700 pipers and drummers. This year, the festival will once again host the EUSPBA Northeast Branch Amateur Drumming Championships. Also returning will be Irish Dance demonstrations from two local dance academies. Pipers will be featured in the event’s closing ceremony with their annual performance of “Amazing Grace.”
“At the closing ceremonies, it’s really, really exciting when those bands come out, and then they have the Pipers come out front, and they play ‘Amazing Grace.’ It’s very difficult to not get emotional and get a little teary listening to ‘Amazing Grace’ with those pipers,” said Langmore. “When they all play together, it is so amazing. It’s a wonderful tradition that we have.”
The festival will offer attendees more authentic Scottish heritage and family fun, including
the Highland Games, where “tree-tossing giants” compete in traditional heavy athletics.
There will also be a Stone Lifting Try-It Station, where attendees of any age can challenge themselves by attempting to lift different weighted stones in a test of strength. One stone, all the way from Glasgow and weighing 266 pounds, will offer one of the toughest challenges at the festival. Plans are to secure a heavy stone from Blanford and have it on site at the festival as their very own version of the rock and cultural connection.
Langmore added that these “gentle giants” are deeply tied to Scottish culture and bring great entertainment for all attendees.
“They [these games] exist because, historically, the clans in Scotland; they fought, if you know enough about history. Each clan had a chief, so somebody had to fight for him and protect him. The one who would do the best in the ultimate strength test would become the chief’s protector,” said Langmore. “The athletes absolutely love Glasgow Lands. Everybody loves it.”
Attendees will also experience living history by exploring the historic Highlanders encampment, watching sheep herding demonstrations, and learning from the Weaver’s Guild of Springfield. For those looking to learn more about the Scottish ancestry or their own, onsite genealogists and clan representa-
tives will be on site to help trace family trees.
Throughout the day, guests can enjoy the live shows while quenching their thirst at the Celtic Pub, which features local microbrews from New City Brewery, and Wine and Mead. Another option will be a curated Whisky tasting presented by The Whisky Pirate. Tickets for this specific portion of the festival can be purchased at glasgowlands.org.
The food onsite will reflect a taste of Scotland, including a smorgasbord of authentic bridies, meat pies, scones and shortbread. According to organizers, a dedicated “Kids’ Corner” will offer
a space for children for athletic games and access to the Look Park water spray park during the festival.
Funds raised during the event will support River Valley Counseling Center and the Forum House, a service of Viability Inc.
The former provides vital mental health services to children and adults in Hampden County, while Forum House supports disabled and disadvantaged adults in Western Mass.
“I don’t think there are very many nonprofit organizations in this area who are able to donate $40,000-43,000 to other nonprofits,” Langmore said.
He added that it feels rewarding to give back to these community partners through the Scottish festival and said he hopes to see another great turnout for this year’s celebration.
“When I’m able to stand up there at closing ceremonies, and thank everybody, and then have those pipe bands play ‘Amazing Grace,’ that’s just rewarding,” Langmore said. “There’s so much going on that it’s hard to explain. You have to experience it.”
For more information on this year’s Glasgow Lands Festival, its history, or to purchase tickets, visit glasgowlands.org.
Photo credit: Glasgow Lands Scottish Festival
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