West Springfield Town Council backs retirement act
By Peter Tuohy ptuohy@thereminder.com
WEST SPRINGFIELD — The West Springfield Town Council unanimously backed a special legislation act drafted by state Rep. Michael Finn to help West Springfield police officer Michael Chapdelaine receive 100% of his pension while on disability retirement.
During a narcotics investigation on Nov. 8, 2000, Chapdelaine — then a member of the FBI’s Gang Task Force — was accidentally shot by a Springfield officer and run over by a suspect’s car. He has been on disability retirement since 2002.
Gov. Maura Healey signed “an act relative to disability pensions and critical incident stress management for violent crimes” in July 2024. It was then enacted on Oct. 29, 2024.
The act ensures emergency service employees on disability retirement from a violent injury receive 100% of their monthly compensation. It lowers to 80% upon the applicant reaching mandatory retirement age for their position.
The act does not apply to those approved for disability or injured before the October 2024 enactment. The standard disability before the 2024 enactment, such as in Chapdelaine’s case, paid 72% of regular compensation.
The Town Council heard from Chapdelaine and approved the act at its meeting on July 20. It isn’t final until approval by the House of Representatives, the Senate and signed by Healey.
“This is something that happened and continues to affect me,” Chapdelaine said. “I’ve been hospitalized upwards of eight times since the shooting. I count my lucky stars, I’m blessed, I’m fortunate to be here. It’s not fun when I have to go through
those episodes, those hospitalizations with the intestinal stuff and the blockages. They can’t operate to improve it because scar tissue begets scar tissue. I’m just kind of going through things and seeing the effects of something that happened 26 years ago can have on an individual.”
He said his disability didn’t end when he left the hospital and it has continued to affect every aspect of his life over two decades later, enduring chronic medical complications, a disrupted metabolic system and being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and coronary artery disease with no familial history.
He added that his case demonstrates that violent injuries can become lifelong medical conditions and the act corrects an inequity in the state legislation.
“The date of the injury doesn’t change its nature,” Chapdelaine said. “The violence was the same, the injuries were the same, the lifelong consequences were the same. The only difference is the calendar … Today, if an officer is injured under the same circumstances, they would receive the protections the legislator determined were appropriate. Without this petition, two officers with the same catastrophic, line-of-duty injury are treated differently solely because one was injured before the law existed.”
He told the Town Council that supporting the petition honors the commitment made to public safety officials, and that officials hope the community stands behind them if the worst were to happen while serving the public.
“I am not asking to rewrite state law,” Chapdelaine said. “I am asking you to give the legislature the opportunity to consider whether this law should apply to someone whose injuries exemplify exactly why the law was enacted.”
Chief of Police Jay Gearing threw support behind Chapdelaine, stating they are childhood friends and were hired together in 1996.
“I’ve been there a long time, and I can speak to the injuries that he spoke of,” Gearing said. “I will never forget the day that Michael got shot. He got shot in the city of Springfield and I called the department here because, like we do when officers are hurt, we rally. I called the station to make myself available, and that’s when I found out it was Michael. It wasn’t easy, as you can imagine. … it’s been a long road, and I just wanted to thank you for your support and speak to support what he said.”
Councilor James Welch said this is a very fair option and the town would be proud to say it took care of one of its own.
“Chapdelaine grew up in West Springfield, went to West Spring-
field High School, played sports and was involved in the community,” Welch said. “This is a gesture I think that we as a council and a community can take that shows that we’re serious about protecting the people that serve our community and certainly serve a situation that can be very violent at times.”
Councilor Brian Griffin said Chapdelaine was doing dangerous work that “we asked him to do on behalf of the community.”
“The act of violence did not merely end in one shift, it permanently ended a law enforcement career to which Mike had devoted himself,” Griffin said. “Mike Chapdelaine was more than a police officer wearing a West Springfield badge, he served as a detective, he worked as a special federal officer in the FBI Gang
AGAWAM
Agawam Night Out brings hundreds to park
Crowds flocked to School Street Park on July 24 for Agawam Night Out. Page 3
WEST SPRINGFIELD
Resident shares 35year mission to end HIV stigma
Bryan Fleury of West Springfield has been on a 35-year journey to end the stigma around HIV by speaking at schools. Page 4
Officer Michael Chapdelaine tells the West Springfield Town Council about the lasting effects he faces from his 2000 line-of-duty injury.
For autistic children, wandering presents persistent danger
By Sarah Heinonen sheinonen@thereminder.com
A nonverbal teen with Down syndrome named Matteo left his house in Monson on June 29 without an adult’s knowledge. He was found two days later about a mile from his home. While the incident ended safely, it brought the issue of wandering among children with developmental disabilities to the forefront. State Rep. Angelo Puppolo joined the Office of the Child Advocate and the Department of Developmental Services in efforts to raise awareness about wandering among children with autism spectrum disorder.
Wandering, or “eloping,” is a common behavior among autistic children. While all children tend to wander in their toddler years, those with autism may continue to do so later in their childhood and teen years.
The National Autism Association states that autistic children may elope to pursue an interest or avoid overstimulation from noise or fears. “These impulses and incidents can increase with added anxiety and stress, especially if the individual has challenges with coping, calming or regulating their emotions,” the association states on its website.
Elopement is especially dangerous because people with autism are more vulnerable to hazardous situations — accidental drowning is the number one cause of death among autistic children. According to the National Autism Association, other dangers include
dehydration, heat stroke, hypothermia, falls and encounters with strangers. The risks also increase with the severity of autism.
“This is a deeply serious safety issue for families across Massachusetts. The recent incident involving Matteo from Monson is a reminder of how quickly a wandering situation can turn into a life-threatening emergency. Thanks again to all the first responders and volunteers who made sure Mateo returned safely. Our focus must remain on prevention, awareness, and ensuring families have access to the tools and supports they need,” Puppolo stated in a press release.
Dr. Bruce Waslick, Baystate Medical Center Chief of Child Psychiatry, cited a 2012 study in the journal “Pediatrics” that found 49% of autistic children over the age of 4 have eloped, and 26% of them were missing long enough to concern their caregivers. “Most of those kids are going to be fine,” Waslick said, but some may find themselves in “potentially life-threatening situations.”
Catherine “Cat” McEachern has a particular perspective on the issue of wandering among autistic children. In addition to being the Research and Professional Training Coordinator at Autism Connections of Western Massachusetts, a ServiceNet partner, McEachern is autistic and used to elope as a child.
Asked why autistic children elope later in life than their non-autistic peers, McEachern said, “There’s a lot of theories out there. For me, it was a sensory escape. I
would run into the clothing aisles to have an enclosed environment within a big, scary store.”
McEachern said, “It’s the way autistic people explore the world... Special interests can draw us. It can be types of rocks, or trains — that’s very common. Nature’s a big attraction for a lot of autistic people,” she said, explaining that many autistic people cannot filter out background noise and find being in nature calming. Unfortunately, it can lead to dangerous situations.
“A lot of autistic people struggle with putting themselves in other people’s shoes,” McEachern said. If she were in a situation with someone with ill intent, she would not necessarily recognize the social cues that would warn a non-autistic person, because she cannot imagine having such ill-intent toward another.
Waslick also said that many autistic children do not understand situational risks and dangers presented by their environment or by other people. “Kids don’t have a really good understanding of the social world. Kids with autism are unable to see the danger in following someone who could do them harm. Parents worry about kids wandering off, getting into pools or lakes. They can’t discern the dangers,” Waslick said.
When it comes to autistic children, Waslick said, “Parents instinctively provide a lot more supervision for a lot longer.” He said they also expect a similar level of supervision when chil-
dren are at school and other structured activities.
However, Waslick said, “Realistically, you can’t watch kids 24 hours a day.” He said children may run off when a parent’s attention is on siblings or wake up in the middle of the night and climb out a window. “A lot of parents really worry about this,” Waslick said. “It’s a parent’s worst nightmare. It causes a lot of stress for families. You want to support the development of independence but also keep them out of dangerous situations,” he said.
The first line of defense is being aware of what triggers elopement for a child, whether due to sensory overstimulation or interest seeking.
The Centers for Disease Control recommends taking steps before a child elopes, including being alert about the child’s location, noticing the child’s behaviors, like making a specific sound or looking toward the door, having an emergency plan to respond and keeping up-todate information about the child.
It is also important to speak to children about expectations. McEachern said her mother was injured when she was a child and because her mother could not chase her, she was very explicit about when and where McEachern could walk away or explore on her own. Autistic children need that, she said. “Having that conversation with children, even if the children are nonverbal, they understand.”
McEachern said children, even those who are nonverbal, can express their agency by giving them “break cards” — individual index cards with a photo of the places the child likes to go. They can bring the card to a caretaking adult to let them know they need a break and want to visit one of their favorite places.
Physical deterrents, such gated yards or childproof door and window locks can help keep children
Legislation
Continued
Task Force investigating narcotics, firearms, gang activity. He operated undercover and worked alongside federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. Before that, Mike served our country as an intelligence analyst in the United States Army. This was a man who repeatedly placed himself between dangerous people and innocent people, first for the country and then for his community.”
He said police officers are often thanked at ceremonies and told their service is appreciated, but that “the real measure is not what we say in the immediate aftermath of that sacrifice.”
“The real measure is what we do after the headlines are gone,” Griffin said. “Nearly 26 years
from eloping, but McEachern noted that many of the children she has worked with in the past can take windows apart. She suggested alarms to alert parents when an autistic child opens a window or exterior door.
It is also important to instill safety protocols in case a child successfully elopes. McEachern said medical alert bracelets are helpful, but even stickers with the parent’s name and phone number can be placed on the back of the child’s shirt. Electronic trackers, such as those made by Angel Sense, can be affixed to a child’s belt or something else they never leave without, giving the parent or first responders a method of finding their child.
“Swim classes are a big thing, not just for fun, but ‘What do you do if you fall into the water?’ That’s the kind of trainings that I work on,” McEachern said. She said YMCAs and similar organizations can reach out to her at 413-5602600 to organize those trainings. If a child elopes, the CDC recommends alerting first responders, informing their school and neighbors. Safety skills can be critical in such situations. These can include crossing the street, responding to commands like “stop,” and being able to give their name and phone number or show an identification card.
The entire system — alarms, locks, break cards, swim lessons, even Angel Sense — can keep autistic children safe,” McEachern said.
More information on the resources offered by Autism Connections of Western Massachusetts can be found at autismconnections.servicenet.org. The National Autism Association also offers a free Be REDy Booklet for family use and to provide to local first responders. It can be downloaded at nationalautismassociation.org.
have passed since Mike was shot, and nearly 24 years have passed since he was forced into disability retirement, yet the consequences of November 2000 did not retire with him. Mike and his family have carried this every day since and that’s why this vote matters … Mike did exactly what West Springfield asked him to do. He accepted the risk, he answered the call, he confronted danger and he paid a permanent price.”
Griffin added that West Springfield has to honor its side of the commitment and that the town’s responsibility to the officer doesn’t end when the injury prevents them from putting on the badge. He said the act isn’t preferential or a charity, it’s a “fulfillment of a promise.”
“Tonight, we cannot undo what happened to Mike,” Griffin said. “We cannot restore his career that was taken from him. We can’t return the years that his family have lived with the consequences, but we can make certain that the sacrifice is met with something lasting, more than words. We can keep that promise.”
Agawam Night Out brings hundreds to park
Top row, from
water bottles and bicycle helmets.
five from
how
use a hydraulic
welcomes
during Agawam Night Out.
Reminder Publishing photos by Sarah Heinonen
By Sarah Heinonen
sheinonen@thereminder.com
AGAWAM — Crowds flocked to
School Street Park on July 24 to meet Agawam’s police and fire professionals, get an up-close
MOUNT SAINT MARY COLLEGE DEAN’S LIST
NEWBURGH, NEW YORK — Angelina Robinson of West Springfield was named to the honored by Mount Saint Mary College’s pring 2026 dean’s list. The dean’s list distinction is awarded each semester to students who have carried at least 12 graded credits with a minimum semester GPA of 3.5.
look at the first responder vehicles and enjoy a night of family fun. Hundreds came to Agawam Night Out, part of the National Night Out tradition that allows people to interact with law en-
forcement in a positive environment. The evening, which included food trucks, bounce houses and corn hole, ended with a screening of the movie “Hoppers” under the stars.
Shannon Spada
Sales Support: Carolyn Napolitan
Financial Department: Nancy Banning
Circulation Department: Holly Mulligan, NateHalla, Whitney Conlon
left: Agawam Police Department hands out
McKinzlee and Hunter Padden pet with Willow, a police therapy dog, while her handler watches. Claire Strunk got a high
Spiderman at Agawam Night Out. Middle row, from left: Children watch members of the Agawam Fire Department demonstrate
to
rescue tool to remove a vehicle’s roof. The Roaming Railroad took families on a trip around School Street Park. Todd Rowley
Tucker Rowley as he comes out of the bounce house. Bottom row, from left: Children gather around a Lego table set up by Agawam’s Rosie Robotics program. Mila Jalbert pretends to drive a State Police vehicle. Charlotte and Eloise Brignole play at the School Street Park splashpad
Bryan Fleury shares 35-year mission to end HIV stigma
By Tina Lesniak Correspondent
WEST SPRINGFIELD — For Bryan Fleury of West Springfield, living with HIV has never simply been about surviving. It has become a lifelong mission to educate others, reduce stigma and ensure young people have the information they need to protect themselves.
“I’ve been living with HIV for 35 years, testing positive when this disease was considered a death sentence,” Fleury said. “Like many long-term survivors, we were told to get our affairs in order.”
At first, disbelief overshadowed acceptance.
“I was in denial because I was always a strong, healthy guy,” he recalled. Then came a pivotal moment while watching a “60 Minutes” documentary filmed inside an AIDS ward, with a nurse discussing how most of the patients would die alone — their families having abandoned them. “I was never so scared in my life.”
Treatment in the early 1990s was grueling. Fleury was prescribed AZT, requiring 32 pills a day. When he struggled to keep up with the demanding schedule, his doctor delivered words that would shape the rest of his life.
“He sat me down and said,
‘Listen Bryan, you have a decision to make. You can either learn to live with this disease or die with this disease.’ I told him I absolutely didn’t want to die,” recalled Fleury.
The doctor then introduced him to Tommy Baker, a case manager at River Valley Counseling in Holyoke.
“He became my case manager. He was a hero to so many and worked tirelessly at his job,” Fleury said. Although Baker repeatedly encouraged him to share his story publicly, Fleury wasn’t ready.
That changed in the late 1990s when he spoke at his first World AIDS Day event. “Whenever I shared my story, words would just start flowing out of me. I remember Tommy sitting in the audience so proud.”
After Baker died in 2001, Fleury made a promise. “I knew I was on a mission to forever keep him proud.”
That same year, he joined Tapestry’s high school speaker program, determined to make HIV prevention personal rather than statistical. He created colorful poster boards explaining what HIV is, how it is transmitted, common misconceptions and ways to stay safe.
“I knew when I started this wasn’t going to be my style of prevention education,” he said reflecting on the first speaker
he saw who had a very different approach. “HIV doesn’t discriminate. It doesn’t matter what age, race, religion or your sexual preferences.”
Over the years, students have become his greatest teachers. Fleury has saved more than 7,000 reflection letters and collected 1,115 poems inspired by his presentations.
“I use the feedback I get from students and work them into conversations I might have in the future,” he said. One letter remains especially meaningful: “Dear Bryan, I’m a 10th grader. All my friends are having sex and every day they make fun of me because I haven’t.” Since then, Fleury has emphasized resisting peer pressure and becoming “leaders, not followers.”
Fleury has also used this work as inspiration for his own poetry and receives poems that the students have written based on his speeches.
“My poetry collection is definitely one of a kind,” explained Fleury. “At the end of every class, I share a couple poems, one I wrote called Saving Private Bryan. Students started going home and putting my story into some incredible poetry. I have 1,115 poems in my book. I’m pretty sure there’s not many guest speakers that can say that.”
Today, advances in medicine have transformed HIV into a manageable condition. Fleury reminds students that “knowing your status is a lifesaver” and explains that people who achieve an undetectable viral load cannot sexually transmit HIV. “U=U, undetectable equals uninfectable,” explains Fleury, while stressing the continued importance of condoms
to prevent other sexually transmitted infections.
Although arthritis has limited the number of schools he visits, Fleury remains committed to the work he calls his gift.
“I still won’t give up on my goal,” he said. “I realize HIV prevention education has been my gift and tools for fighting HIV.”
West Springfield announces return of massive townwide tag sale
WEST SPRINGFIELD — The town of West Springfield has officially announced the return of its highly anticipated TownWide Tag Sale Weekend, taking place from Friday, Aug. 7 through Sunday, Aug. 9. This community-driven summer event offers a prime opportunity for residents to declutter their homes, connect with neighbors and pocket some extra cash. Simultaneously, deal-hunters from across the region are invited to explore the town to uncover an eclectic mix of hidden gems, including furniture, clothing, toys, tools and collectibles.
Residents interested in hosting a tag sale are encouraged to register their addresses early to maximize visibility. To make navigating the townwide event seamless for shoppers, West Springfield is utilizing interactive mapping technology. All registered sales will be plotted on a digital map, allowing buyers to plan their custom shopping routes. Register your sale here: survey123.arcgis. com/share/ef19f20b3b83421e9292898a9132ae10
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.
CHICOPEE
Theodore Francis “Todd”
Bouchard Jr.
Sandra M. Bronner
Anna Ladeau
EAST LONGMEADOW
Patrick M. Connors
Thomas “Tom” Flanagan
Marilyn Lindahl
Janice S. Provost
Barbara Speer
HOLYOKE
William R. Ainey
Barbara Harris
Dr. Robert S. Mausel
LUDLOW
Marguerite R. Surprenant
SOUTH HADLEY
Barbara A. Blank
David F. Hurley
René Proulx
Carolyn C. Topor
SPRINGFIELD
Judith A. Barry
Harold J. Chapin
James E. Denning
Donald Anton Keinath
Joyce Livingston
Francisco V. Lopes
Christopher J. Sullivan
Richard A. Tulloch
WILBRAHAM
Donna L. Streeter
Whether you are looking for vintage decor, everyday essentials, or unique bargains, this three-day event promises something for everyone. Shoppers can access the live, interactive map of all participating locations by visiting the interactive map for the weekend. The map is available here: tinyurl.com/3h8zt8uu
“Our Town-Wide Tag Sale
Weekend is more than just a giant yard sale — it’s a fantastic community event that promotes recycling, supports local residents, and brings people into our beautiful town,” said Mayor William Reichelt. “We encourage everyone to spread the word, invite friends from out of town, and help us make the 2026 weekend our biggest and most successful one yet.” For more information regarding registration deadlines, safety guidelines or event details, please visit the town’s official website or contact the mayor’s office directly.
A look at many of the thank you cards and poems Bryan Fleury has received over the years.
Reminder Publishing submitted photo
DINING ENTERTAINMENT
African Community Festival returns to Marshall Roy Park
By Sarah Heinonen sheinonen@thereminder.com
SPRINGFIELD — Marshall Roy
Park will be filled with the sights, sounds and aromas of African traditions on Saturday, Aug. 8, as the African Community Festival connects cultures and generations.
The festival began four years ago as a community cookout to bring together members of the African diaspora living in Western Massachusetts. A year later, Naefia Padi founded the nonprofit Unity Hearts Foundation and rebranded the event as a festival.
“People typically see Africa as one place, not as a collection of different countries and cultures,” said Event Coordinator Evelyn Ansah. However, the continent is composed of 54 countries, each with unique aspects of its culture.
Padi added, “Our aunties, our uncles, our parents, they wear a rich cloth.”
Ansah said there will be food from a variety of different African cultures, as well as American food, and include a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony. The festival will feature a friendly tasting competition around jollof rice, a common dish in many African countries, which is prepared differently depending on the cultural tradition. In the “Jollof Wars” contest, versions of the dish from Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Liberia and Gambia will compete to be crowned the best.
The festival will provide music from Orchestre Moto, a live Congolese band specializing in rumba, soukous and ndombolo rythyms. Entertainment will include a Ugandan dance ensemble
by AfroDiamonds, a Senegambian Kankourang masquerade dance and an afrofusion fashion show. There will also be free face painting, family-friendly activities, cultural games, virtual reality experiences, a raffle, a marketplace and resource vendors. Additionally, Unity Hearts Foundation is hosting a backpack giveaway while supplies last for students ahead of the start of school. This year, the free festival will run from noon to 7 p.m. at the park, 162 El Paso St. It is sponsored by the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority, Spark Good, Mass Cultural Council and Springfield Community Resources.
Referring to the region’s African diaspora, Ansah said, “We kind of live in tiny little pockets.” Because people live in those pockets, she said the festival provides a
sense of wider belonging for many.
“It is a time we can come together and share our culture. It is very important to educate our children in this. We can bring our culture for them to see,” Padi said. Among the cultures represented at the festival are those from Ghana, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Sudan, Somalia and South Africa. “Last year, there was somebodies from Uganda. We didn’t even realize there was that many Ugandans in Western Massachusetts,” Ansah said. Ansah, who was born in Ghana, but whose siblings were born in the United States, said the festival allows young people to connect with their heritage. “It allows them to know their cultures. I can see how attending the festival year after year, they have pride in their cultures,” she said.
While children may have grown up hearing stories about their family’s culture, it has a different impact when they can taste the food and listen to the music, Ansah said. “For a lot of young adults, it is a way to better understand where their culture comes from,” she said.
“It’s so beautiful,” Padi said. She said she knows Black Americans, who do not identify as African, who were inspired to take a vacation to an African country after attending the festival. She said she would like to invite everyone in Western Massachusetts to attend the festival, regardless of whether they are of African descent.
“Experience different cultures,” said Padi. “One community, one love. That’s what Unity Hearts Foundation is about — to bring everyone together.”
Big E partners with local high schools for design contest
WEST SPRINGFIELD —
The
Big E has recruited five local high schools from the Pioneer Valley and tasked their students with designing and executing a creative reimagining of the fair’s agricultural mascot, Chick-E, minding the 250th anniversary of the United States’s independence. The patriotic Chick-E statues, which have each been carefully hand-painted by high schoolers, will be on display during The Big E, Sept. 18 to Oct. 4, where fairgoers can vote for their favorite design.
Participating high schools include Agawam High School, Holyoke High School, Westfield High School, West Springfield High School and Pope Francis Preparatory School in Springfield. Fair organizers contacted the heads of each school’s art department to coordinate and provide detailed instructions for weather-proofing student designs, a stipend for supplies and expectations given the mission of fair presenter and host site, Eastern States Exposition, and the America 250 motif.
Agawam High School’s Chick-E is titled “Agawam HER-story.” A total of 18 students contributed to the completion of the statue, which they designed as a “visual representation of the women who have, are and continue to be the foundation of our community,” explained Amber Waters, an art teacher at Agawam High School.
“This includes farmers, teachers, artists, coaches, veterans, entrepreneurs, students, innova-
tors and mentors,” said Waters.
“The women of Agawam are always striving to make our community great, and the work of these strong women has created a thread that is woven into the diverse tapestry of our great country. We acknowledge and applaud them as the United States celebrates 250 years.”
Holyoke High School’s painting team consisted of 12 students. Their Chick-E, “Peep,” was inspired by their city’s own history.
“Holyoke was originally home to the Nonotuck, an Algonquin-speaking people,” said Giuseppe Duran, a fine arts teacher at Holyoke High School North.
“To honor the Native Americans who first lived in our city, Peep’s wings are painted with feathers traditionally worn by indigenous peoples, and Peep is depicted as a bald eagle, one of America’s most recognized symbols of freedom.”
Additionally, Peep’s tail is painted to resemble an American flag, painted with broad stripes and white stars. A peace sign shines in the statue’s left eye, and fireworks are reflected in the right eye, inspired by the National Anthem’s mention of “the rocket’s red glare.” The entire design is bursting with symbols of independence to celebrate the courage it took to earn our country’s liberation from the British crown.
Westfield High School’s Karen Kane supervised the creation of their Chick-E, “Bomber,” whose name is a nod to their school mascot, but the design takes the reference a step further; Bomber is painted like a pilot in a display of appreciation for the National Guard that works at Barnes Airport in Westfield. Karen Kane of the school’s Art department oversaw the four students — Rylee Rumplik, Kara Sweeney, James Thompson and Eric Villafane — who worked diligently to complete their school’s statue.
West Springfield High School said they had a lot of fun naming their Chick-E when students opened the decision to a schoolwide vote. The winning name? Ben Chick-man Franklin, named for one of the country’s Founding Fathers.
However, the democratic feedback did not end with the
naming of the statue; the painters and larger Art department polled students to find out where their families hail from. Ben Chickman Franklin was designed to ensure that the more than 20 nationalities represented by the student body each had a place on the statue.
“Ben Chick-man Franklin embodies West Springfield High School’s superpower: the many cultures and languages of our school,” said Anne Charron, fine and applied Arts department head at West Springfield High School.
“His superhero cape was painted by a dedicated crew of more than 20 students from countries like Rwanda, Ireland, Syria and Kyrgyzstan. Our hope was to make Ben a friendly, welcoming representation of The Big E while celebrating the 250th anniversary of America’s founding.”
Jacqueline Boudreau-Kinsey,
Art department head at Pope Francis Preparatory School in Springfield, Mass., is the point person for their school’s Chick-E. The statue was designed and started upon by the rising upperclassmen in Boudreau-Kinsey’s Advanced Placement Art class at the end of the 2025-2026 academic year, and their vision will be executed and expanded upon by the juniors that remain as seniors and additional AP Art students at the start of the 20262027 year. The statue is sure to be a shining example of creative collaboration.
The statues will be on display in the New England Center among other Creative Arts contest entries throughout The Big E, Sept. 18 through Oct. 4. Follow us on social media, @TheBigEFair, for more details about how you can cast your vote for your favorite design.
On July 14, West Springfield lost to Somers 2-1 in a PVSSL girls summer soccer game played at West Side High School.
your favorite high school sports photos are now available
Abbie Battista takes the West Springfield throw-in.
West Springfield’s Riley Bergeron (right) vies for the ball with Anja Helm from Somers.
Alyssa Woytowicz uses her head to settle the ball.
Second half goaltender MacKensie Oleksak makes the save.
Charlotte Bocon intercepts the Somers pass.
West Side’s Maria Mladenovic (left) controls the pass in front of Charlotte Bousquet of Somers.
Summer Freeman awaits the West Springfield corner.
West Side’s Taelor North (left) defends Somers’ Abigail Grandlin.
Summer Freeman (right) from West Side battles Somers’ Brynn Estrella for the ball.
Aubrey Dorman attacks the Somers net on the West Side breakaway.
AGAWAM
Agawam Properties LLP, to Amat Victoria Curam LLC, 643 Suffield St., $3,050,000.
Agawam Properties LLP, to Lachenauer LLC, 408 Meadow St., $3,000,000.
Aspasia Arvanitis to Timothy Czerniejewski, 4 Ash Lane, Unit 4, $277,000.
Brendan Reed and Sarah Reed to Erika Theriaque and Michael Richards, 181 Southwick St., $595,000. Daniel Garcia and Cassandra R. Garcia to Sean Michael Forsyth, 7 Plantation Drive, Unit 7, $253,935.
Dmitriy Sidoryuk to Brendan McCarthy and Hannah Provost, 712 Cooper St., $450,000.
Dmitriy Sidoryuk to Colin McLean and Jessica McLean, Cooper Street, Par A, $20,000. Emily E. Cummings, trustee, John D. Cummings Jr., trustee, and Anne H. Cummings Family Trust, trustee of, to
Cherie Rousseau, 15 Plantation Drive, $245,100. HB4 Cascade Funding Mortgage Trust, to Dustin L. Ruby and Nadia L. Ruby, 657-659 Springfield St., $200,000. Joanne R. Magdalensky, representative, Judith Ann Duda, estate, Judith A. Duda, estate, Annette T. Gonzalez, representative, Ethan Marc Duda, estate, and Ethan M. Duda, estate, to Matthew M. Lajoie, 40 Simpson Circle, $345,000. John G. Fisher Sr., estate, John Fisher, estate, John G. Fisher, estate, and Robin Fisher, representative, to Royal Realty Holdings LLC, 178 Beekman Drive, $138,500. Joseph J. Polys and Diane J. Polys to Aga Brothers LLC, 28 Russo Circle, $900,000. Maureen Conroy, trustee, Susan Lund, trustee, and Danehy Conroy Trust, trustee of, to Adam Rondeau and Joni Rondeau, 780 Suffield St., $360,000. Mohammad Moini to Barbara Yarsley, 6A Mansion Woods Drive, $283,000. Riley Robichaud, Arthur Robichaud III, and Riley Marino to Cooper Chechile, 209 Adams St., $300,000. Robert H. McMullin Jr., Maribeth L. McMullin, Kimberly I. McIntyre and Trevor D. McMullin- Eldridge to Scott Graham and Maureen Graham, 51 Edgewater Road, $416,400. Robert W. Manning and Anneliese Townsend to Kayla Kallaugher and Marissa Kallaugher, 86 Oak Lane, $535,000. EAST LONGMEADOW
Alan P. Faber, representative, Edward Harry Faber, estate, and Edward H. Faber, estate, to Thomas E. Dunn and Isabel R. Dunn, 98 Hanward Hill, $300,000.
Craig B. Murray and Agnes M. Murray to Michael Mann and Maxine Mann, 51 John St., $380,000.
Gwendolyn Centeno and Jonatan Antonio Guzman Gomez to Chailyn Caudillo, 109 Pendleton Ave., $260,000.
Heather Santana, conservator, and Mark A. Mason to Samuel V. Gentile Inc., 26 High St., $162,500.
Joseph A. Saracino and Gina M. Sattler to Patrick Dunnigan and Amanda Dunnigan, 32 Overbrook Road, $494,000.
Noah Choi, Seung-Bong Choi and Priscilla Y. Choi to Peris W. Kariuki and Eric M. Wachira, 235 Vineland Ave., $550,000.
Sherry Haetinger and Lillian Haetinger to Damon Taylor, 16 Speight Arden Road, $200,000
WEST SPRINGFIELD
Brian F. Battista and Jillian M. Battista to Adam Robert Del Pozzo and Lauren Bisceglia, 849 Amostown Road, $635,000. Capriel Arakelian to West Springfield Town, Hillcrest Avenue, Lot #552, $11,700. Daniel Kennedy and Jennifer Kennedy to Narralie Isabel Rosas and Joshua M. Ortiz,
EAST LONGMEADOW - THURSDAY, HOOK DELIVERY
132 Papers: St. Joseph Dr., Wisteria Ln., Pembroke Terr., Rockingham Cir., Dartmouth Ln., Partial - Prospect St., Chestnut St., Somers Rd.
103 Papers: Gerrard Ave., Holy Cross Cir., Kingston Ave., Lombard Ave., Nelson St., Roderick Ave., Partial- N. Main St.
128 Papers: Braeburn Rd., Channing Rd., Tufts St., Van Dyke Rd., Wood Ave., Boulder St., Admiral St., Thompson St., Partial-Dwight Rd. (odd side only)
58 Papers: Anne St., Helen Cir., John St., Vadnais St., Converse Cir.
131 Papers: Orchard Rd., Pine Grove Cir., Partial-Parker St., Porter Rd., Allen St.
135 Papers: Baymor Dr., Edmund St., Fifth St., Glendale Rd., Knollwood Dr.
LONGMEADOW - THURSDAY, HOOK DELIVERY
73 Papers: Williamsburg Dr., Eunice Dr., Tabor Crossing, Morgan Ridge, Burns Meadow, Churchill Dr., Partial - Converse St.
85 Papers: Andover Rd., Ashford Rd., Cranwell Ln., Deerfield Ave., Willow Cir., Williston Dr., Willow Brook Rd., Partial - Frank Smith Rd.
146 Papers: Albemarle Rd., Arcadia St., Barclay St., Chiswick St., Fairway Dr., Franklin Rd., Lincoln Pk., Whitmun Rd., Woodmont Rd.
95 Papers: Brookwood Dr., Kenmore Dr., Knollwood Dr., Partial - Shaker Rd.
97 Papers: Barbara Ln., Quinnehtuk Rd., Village Dr., Pioneer Dr., Partial - Maple Rd., Frank Smith Rd., Wolf Swamp Rd.
100 Papers: Norway St., Nevins Ave., Partial - Maple Rd.
155 Papers: Birch Rd., Yarmouth St., King Philip Dr., Sheffield Ave., Partial-Wolf Swamp Rd.
105 Papers: Hopkins Pl., Hawthorn St., Fairfield Ter., Laurel Ln., Partial-Laurel St.
41 Papers: Lynwood Dr., Duxbury Ln., Elizabeth Cir.
68 Papers: Woolworth St., Woodside Dr., Blokland Dr., Wilkin Dr., Grassy Gutter Rd.
57 Papers: Park Dr., Brittany Rd., Normandy Rd., Partial-E. Greenwich Rd., Colony Rd.
149 Papers: Prynne Ridge Rd., Wyndward
