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Milleron and Whalen debate ahead of elections IN THIS
EDITION
By Sarah Heinonen
sheinonen@thereminder.com
AROUND THE AREA
Velis sounds off on recent statewide issues State Sen. John Velis joined the latest episode of “So That Reminds Me” to discuss a variety of issues in his district.
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Mayor William Reichelt and Town Council President Michael LaFlamme announced the formation of the Big E Trust Strategic Advisory Committee.
Where the candidates differed was in their methods. Whalen emphasized the need to create relationships with representatives on both sides of the aisle, as well as independents. “It’s not relationships that are going to make this happen. It’s pressure,” Milleron said. She said being an independent in a House with narrow margins would make her influential. And, as an independent, she said she would caucus with whichever party is in the
majority and withhold her vote for leadership to accomplish her goals. “We’re in such dire straits that we have to take every angle, pressure, every advantage, every leverage we can muster,” Milleron said. Whalen took a different approach. He said there is influence through working the “halls of Congress,” but also influence that comes from public opinion. See DEBATE on page 4
See DEBATE on page 1
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said he felt there should be an age cap and suggested 70 years old, but also said people vary in how age affects them. At age 62, Milleron was silent on the issue of an age cap. Whalen and Milleron also agreed that Congress needs to assert its power over funding allocation, ensuring the executive branch follows through on distributing funds, and not allow the president to enter military action without Congressional approval.
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Democrat Jeromie Whalen and independent Nadia Milleron debate on Aug. 11. Both hope to unseat Richard Neal in Massachusetts’s 1st Congressional District.
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SPRINGFIELD — Two people looking to unseat U.S. Rep. Richard Neal in the Massachusetts 1st Congressional House District met at a debate on Aug. 11 to discuss their politics, priorities and approach. Of those, the most daylight between Nadia Milleron and Jeromie Whalen was in their approach. Whalen, a Democrat, will face Neal in the Sept. 1 primary, while Milleron, running as an independent, will face the winner of the primary in November. During the event, hosted at 52 Sumner and sponsored by more than 40 local nonprofits, Milleron and Whalen answered questions from the community that had been collected ahead of time. Moderator G. Michael Dobbs explained to the audience that the questions all pertained to districtwide or national issues, which are the purview of members of Congress. The candidates agreed on several topics. Each would work to abolish the Electoral College to remove the outsized influence of a few swing states. Both Milleron and Whalen were proponents of universal healthcare, with that one topic being Milleron’s top priority. Both were also in favor of impeaching President Donald Trump, should the Republicans lose the majority. To address poverty in Western Massachusetts, Milleron said she favored eliminating federal income tax on the first $100,000 earned. Similarly, Whalen said he would raise the threshold, easing the tax burden for the lowest income earners. The two also agreed that there should be term limits for representatives. While Whalen envisioned 12 to 15 years, Milleron said she would commit to six years. Whalen, who is 39, also
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STRM: Velis sounds off on recent statewide issues By Tyler Garnet
tgarnet@thereminder.com
On the latest episode of “So That Reminds Me,” state Sen. John Velis sat down with co-hosts Ryan Feyre and myself to discuss data centers, cellphone and social media policies, upcoming ballot questions and opioid settlement funds. Velis, whose current term ends in January, is running unopposed for reelection. He represents nine communities throughout the Hampden and Hampshire districts and has been in the Senate since 2020. He also previously served as a state representative from 2014. Velis was recently deployed for six months on a confidential mission along the southwestern border of the U.S. He said he couldn’t provide specifics about the trip, but he credited his office for helping him stay connected and serve his constituents during that time. He also commended his colleagues who stepped up and filed bills and items on his behalf. “One of the things that’s really, really important to me is hiring staff that’s good,” Velis said. “It was constantly checking in with my team, from when I could get away from what I was doing and see what was out there, but I have to be honest with you, I can’t take credit for it. My entire operation was a seamless operation.” One issue that Velis discussed, which has been prominent in many of the communities he serves, is data centers. Holyoke recently approved a ban on future development of the centers, while Agawam approved the first reading of a 270-day moratorium and Westfield approved a 12-month moratorium. In the past, Velis demanded that the data centers, not residents, should pay for any energy and water strain. He also emphasized that many data centers across the country are much larger than some of those proposed and operating in Massachusetts. Velis agreed that there is an op-
portunity for jobs, but in many cases, data centers lead to an increase in electrical bills, increased water usage and contamination. He also agreed with the idea of a moratorium to give each town time to learn about potential pros and cons of a development proposal. “I think what’s happening throughout the commonwealth is a beautiful thing, like, give the towns the ability,” Velis said. “[Data centers] need to pay their own way. Any uptick in electric costs is on them, any water usage above and beyond what they represent is on them, any disturbance to the environment is on them, and if they check all of those boxes in a local community through their City Council, their planning boards, their mayor, decide that we realize all the risks and the contracts are very firm that anything that goes above and beyond what you’re representing is on you, not the residents, than have that vote.” Velis also discussed regulations on youth social media and cellphone use in schools. In July, the state Senate passed a bill that essentially regulates youth social media use. “What the data tells us is that straight bans don’t work,” Velis said, comparing the Senate bill to the House bill passed in April, which bans children under 14 from using social media platforms and requires that platforms obtain consent for users ages 14 and 15. Velis explained that if you institute a ban, teenagers affected will find ways to get around it. He said the driving force is algorithms, which is why the Senate bill gives people under 16 the ability to stop, pause and say, “Do I want to continue reading, do I want to continue watching these videos, or maybe do I want to go outside?” Velis said the third-party audit could allow the attorney general’s office to ask a company like Facebook to explain its algorithms and how they work. “It’s about getting rid of these algorithmic feeds by the default
State Sen. John Velis sat down with hosts Ryan Feyre and Tyler Garnet to talk about a wide range of issues on the most recent episode of “So That Reminds Me. “
Reminder Publishing photo by Dennis Hackett
settings; they’re not allowed for certain people under that age demographic, but we need to get at these algorithms, and I’m a really big believer in that the best way to do that is something that we still need to continue to do, is by having what we call third-party audits,” Velis said. On the topic of cellphone usage in schools, Velis said he often visits high school students in his communities who all admit they use their phones during the school day instead of paying attention to what is going on in class. Velis said that although bans don’t usually work, he thinks there should be little to no exception regarding cellphone usage during the school day. “When we had this debate, I was really the lead proponent of, ‘look, if we’re going to do this, we need to do it.’ And variably, what comes up is exceptions,” Velis said. “My position was we need to make the exceptions so few and far between because at some point in time, if you have all these exceptions, the exceptions swallow the rule. If 30 kids in the schools have their phones, the rest of the kids are going to say, ‘hey what’s Mikey, what’s Sarah or what’s ev-
erybody doing with their phones, I want my phone.’” In response to parents’ concerns about the possibility of not reaching their kids during an emergency, Velis said many law enforcement members told him that cellphones could create more chaos during a major emergency because the students would be too distracted to listen to the adults or law enforcement personnel. “When cellphones weren’t a thing, we got by just fine. If a kid was sick, if there was an emergency, if something was happening,” Velis stated. “There’s no perfect solution, but with the distraction from the reading, writing, arithmetic, we have to do better. If we can do something to give that kid a fighting chance to excel in school, to engage, to maybe prevent some type of behavioral health issue, then I think we should do that; I think we owe it to them.” Velis also discussed the Veterans Home in Holyoke, opioid settlement funds that cities have received, the recent economic development bill that recently passed in the Senate, housing issues in Massachusetts and a ballot question that looks to eliminate political party primaries for state elections.
In the case of opioid settlement funds, a recent investigation revealed municipalities have spent less than 20% of the $115 million distributed to them since 2023. Velis recently said he is prepared to file legislation to have the state reclaim unspent funds and redirect them to communities with bigger needs. “This notion that I hear from municipalities was, ‘we’re trying to figure out how to use this.’ I have no patience for that anymore for the very simple reason that they’re sitting on their tails trying to figure this out; we got people that are dying out there,” Velis said. Speaking on the economic development bill, Velis said the goal is to stop people from leaving the state for opportunities elsewhere. “Massachusetts is on the precipice, and I would argue we are already down that path of becoming a state that lacks competitiveness for any number of reasons,” Velis said. “This economic development bill was an attempt to do was to stop the bleeding.” To hear the full episode with Velis, visit thereminder.com/ our-podcast or search “So That Reminds Me” on your favorite podcasting platform.
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AGAWAM | AUGUST 20 - 26, 2026
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Free Pioneer Valley Art Festival returns Aug. 21 AGAWAM — This year’s Pioneer Valley Art Festival returns on Aug. 21 from 2-8 p.m. and Aug. 22 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free admission for everyone. Food and drink will be available, including adult beverages. The festival will be held at the Polish American Club, 139 Southwick St., Feeding Hills.
On Saturday, Aug. 22, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., stop first at the Roaming Railroad where the children (and adults) can ride the train for free with Conductor Dan as many times as they want. Keep the fun going by dropping by the Agawam Rocks Tent where everyone can have paint rocks for
their room or their garden for free. Children and adults can be part in the USA 250th Anniversary Celebration by visiting booths manned by members of the Pioneer Valley History network. There will be lots of historical displays and even an authentic encampment created by the 25th Continental Regiment,
complete with muskets being shot on the hour. While the family is having fun, you can browse the booths of 65 different artists and artisans, view their creative work and perhaps find something you love for your home or for a gift for someone special. Inside the main build-
ing visit the Silent Action with art, donated by our participating artists and artisans. Net proceed from the auction help fund scholarships for Western Massachusetts students pursuing a degree in the visual arts. For more information visit agawamarts.com
Glenmeadow announces 2026 Age of Excellence Award Honorees LONGMEADOW — Glenmeadow,the exemplary provider of senior retirement lifestyle options, has announced the recipients of the 2026 Age of Excellence Awards: Celebrating Success Over 60. Glenmeadow, who leads the initiative, is thrilled to recognize this year’s honorees — remarkable individuals over the age of 60 who continue to make a profound impact in their communities. Launched in 2024, the Age of Excellence Awards were created to honor those who exemplify vitality, purpose, and leadership in what is often called the “third age” of life. With more than 30 nominations submitted this year, the independent selection committee, which is comprised of community leaders from across Western Massachusetts, is pleased to celebrate individuals who are redefining aging. The 2026 honorees come from diverse backgrounds and experiences, yet all share a common thread: a commitment to living with intention and contributing meaningfully to the world around them. “These honorees have each made a lasting impact on their
Debate
Continued from page 1
He later spoke about building coalitions, saying, “We need to build that community, and that’s how we break the partisan divide that we see.” Milleron responded, “You can’t just influence people. You have to leverage, you have to pressure, you have to threaten their jobs and their reputations ... You can’t just get what you want by being nice and ... having discussions with people.” On some issues, the candidates had different ideas. Milleron said her “day one” priorities would be
communities,” said Dr. Kathy Martin, Glenmeadow president and CEO. “While their stories are all unique, what unites them is a sense of purpose, a commitment to service, and an ability to inspire others to invest in their communities. Their accomplishments offer a powerful perspective on aging, longevity, and what is possible at every stage of life.” The nine distinguished individuals selected to receive the Age of Excellence Award for their outstanding contributions, relentless pursuit of new endeavors and unwavering excellence are: • Jean Canosa Albano — Canosa Albano is the assistant director for public services at the Springfield City Library and a dedicated community volunteer. She champions education, literacy, civic engagement and opportunities for families. Canosa Albano is also widely recognized as one of the Springfield Thunderbirds’ most devoted supporters. • Brooks Fitch — Following a successful career with IBM, Fitch returned to his hometown of Springfield and dedicated himself to service. He recently established the Harrison Fitch
Leadership Fund, a youth leadership initiative honoring his father’s legacy as UConn’s first Black basketball player. Fitch is known for his quiet leadership, lasting impact and unwavering commitment to doing good. • Denise Jordan — Jordan is the executive director of the Springfield Housing Authority and previously served for more than a decade as chief of staff to Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno. A true daughter of Springfield, she is a visible and dedicated community leader with a lifelong passion for service and Western Massachusetts. • Denise Kelcey — After retiring from the Hampden County Sheriff’s Correctional Industries Business Office, Kelcey continued her commitment to public service through the Sheriff’s Office Workforce Initiative. She is a visionary leader dedicated to empowering job seekers, strengthening the local workforce, and expanding economic opportunities. • Liz O’Gilvie — O’Gilvie is a visionary leader working to address systemic food insecurity in Springfield’s most vulner-
able neighborhoods. Through Gardening the Community and the Springfield Food Policy Council, she advocates fearlessly for local families and works to combat food apartheid across Massachusetts. • Paul Picknelly — Picknelly has been a driving force behind downtown Springfield’s revitalization, helping create new opportunities for business, entertainment and tourism. His commitment to keeping professional hockey in Springfield has also helped the Thunderbirds become a community-centered organization that supports local nonprofits and connects people throughout the region. • Margaret Toomey — Toomey is the program director at Cancer House of Hope in West Springfield, where she supports individuals and families affected by cancer. A former culinary arts teacher, she also organizes the annual Bikes Fight Cancer charity ride, raising funds for families, treatment programs and cancer research. • Gloria Wilson — Drawing upon her four-decade nursing career, Wilson empowers older adults to view aging as a
transformative experience. She is a compassionate mentor, advocate, collaborator, and connector known for her integrity and commitment to faith-based health ministry and successful longevity initiatives. • Brenda Garton-Sjoberg, Honorary Recipient — Garton-Sjoberg is a respected Western Massachusetts leader and former WWLP anchor. Following her broadcasting career, she mentored the next generation as a professor of Communications at Western New England University. She continues to support local organizations and lends her voice and presence to the Age of Excellence Awards as emcee. The community is invited to celebrate these remarkable individuals at the Age of Excellence Awards ceremony on Sept. 2, at Twin Hills Country Club from 5-7 p.m. This special evening will bring together honorees, their families, friends, supporters, and the wider community to honor and celebrate their extraordinary achievements. To learn more about these honorees and purchase tickets, visit glenmeadow.org.
proposing income tax relief, “get insurance companies out of our healthcare systems,” and eliminate supply chain issues in medicine by bringing manufacturing back to the United States. For Whalen, the focus would be on passing Medicare for all, abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement and implementing a surtax on the “ultrawealthy,” using Massachusetts’s Fair Share Amendment as a model. To protect voting access and increase turnout, Milleron said it should be made mandatory and cited Australia’s system in which there is a monetary penalty for not voting. Voters there can vote by mail, vote early or obtain an absentee ballot.
Whalen said, “We have voter apathy in this country. We don’t have voter fraud.” He said he is in favor of enshrining vote by mail in law. He also said the current environment around immigration is causing people in Black and brown communities not to feel safe voting in person. Asked about avoiding gentrification as a side effect of WestEast Rail, Whalen said he fully supported expanding rail service, “But, at the same time, we need to be prepared to increase the housing stock in central and Western Massachusetts.” He said he was also a proponent of rent control to stabilize the housing industry. Milleron warned that the region will be “flooded with people”
escaping the climate crisis and that West-East Rail would bring them to Western Massachusetts. “We have to prepare,” she said. Each candidate was asked how their background qualified them for Congressional service. Milleron said her experience as an activist, mobilizing people and advocating in the halls of Congress, gave her the experience needed. Whalen said that, as a teacher, he sees first-hand how decisions made at the national level affect the youth of America. In Neal’s 37 years in the House of Representatives, “Has your life gotten better? Have your bills gone down? ... We need to go in a new direction.” He added, “The people I want in Congress are the individuals embedded in
this community.” Whalen’s comment was not the first time the candidates mentioned Neal and his absence from the forum. When speaking on Aug. 7, Neal said he would not attend “a forum that was organized by my opponent. They chose the site, the date and they chose the moderator.” Speaking of the forum organizers, he said, “One of them is a financial contributor, and the other is a spokesperson for the campaign, and they’re going to set the timetable?” Forum organizers Wes Weidemann and Erica Swallow are public Whalen supporters. Neal has accepted a debate against Whalen, organized and televised by WWLP for Aug. 26.
AGAWAM PUBLIC LIBRARY TAKE AND MAKE CRAFT AGAWAM — A new Take & Make craft will be available on the first day of each week and again on Thursdays. While supplies last. Drop-in & pick up. The craft for Aug. 24 and 27 is a Bunny in a Carrot Craft. The Agawam Public Library is located at 750 Cooper St. For more information, head to agawamlibrary.org or call 413-7891550 ext. 3.
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Healey tackles ‘ridiculous’ Medicaid requirements By Alison Kuznitz
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is using data matching to automatically verify people who are already complying with the work and education rules. Schwarz said his team has been scrambling to digest guidance that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid published on June 1 for implementing the work requirements. Schwarz became the MassHealth chief a week later. “That guidance was surprising, if not just downright shocking, to every single state in the country that had been working, based on guidance from our federal partners, from staff at CMS throughout the last 12 months, as to what we were expected to do,” Schwarz said. “And they changed a lot of that in the guidance that was issued on June 1. As a result, our team has had to change a lot of our plans and operations, and we’ve been working literally day and night for the last nine weeks to try and understand how we can best retain coverage for every single eligible member in the state.” During her visit to the Merrimack Valley on Aug. 11, Healey also held a campaign Graphic Design Manager: meet and greet in Methuen alongside MayBeth Thurber or DJ Beauregard, state Sen. Pavel Payano and state Rep. Ryan Hamilton. Alison Kuznitz is a reporter for State House News Service and State Affairs Pro Massachusetts. Reach her at akuznitz@ stateaffairs.com.
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in terms of the approach the federal government is taking.” Assistant Secretary for MassHealth Ryan Schwarz said Massachusetts will ultimately end up with fewer people enrolled in health insurance “given the frankly completely ridiculous paperwork requirements and administrative hoops that the federal administration is requiring individuals to jump through to retain their coverage.” Healey warned coverage losses across Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act marketplace will “hurt everybody” in the form of higher premiums. MassHealth members will also need to deal with more frequent eligibility renewals. Healey urged members to open all MassHealth communications, including blue renewal envelopes, and ensure the agency has their current contact information. Mahaniah held up a blue envelope and acknowledged he’s heard from patients who are fearful to open it and receive bad news. “This is not one of those cases. This is a case where you really want to open the blue envelope,” Mahaniah said. “This is what guarantees that we continue covering you with MassHealth.” Mahaniah said officials are working to automatically exempt people who are not subject to the work requirements, including those who are pregnant or have dependents. He also said the state
EASTHA
to take to stay covered. MassHealth has a new website about eligibility changes that take effect Jan. 1 and largely impact adults ages 19 to 64. It offers information on how to report changes to MassHealth, access help from community organizations, find enrollment assisters and visit enrollment centers. There’s also a screening tool that people can use to determine whether they may be exempt from the requirements, including if they’re pregnant, parenting children ages 13 and younger, have a disability or are managing certain health conditions. Lemmerman said a targeted advertising campaign will start “very soon” across the state, spanning social media, billboards and messaging on buses and at MBTA stations. Healey bristled at the federal law during the press conference and said “many” MassHealth recipients are working people. “Gig workers — think about the person doing the delivery to your door. You know, they’re working, but they don’t make enough, and therefore they’re on Medicaid,” Healey said. “I think about students, in college, out of college, past 26, people who have gone back to school. They’re not making money or consistent income, and they’re on MassHealth, as well. I know a lot of people that are on MassHealth so that they continue to get mental healthcare, and services, and therapy that they need.” The campaign features a communications toolkit to alert members about changes with flyers, posters and social media graphics available in English, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, Haitian Creole, Vietnamese, Khmer, Simplified Chinese, Arabic and Cape Verdean Creole. MassHealth estimates that 360,000 members will need to comply with the monthly, 80hour work and education requirement. Members can also satisfy the requirement if they earn at least $580 monthly, regardless of how many hours worked. “I want to emphasize these are people that deserve to be in MassHealth, but because of the incredible paperwork barriers that the federal government is imposing, are at risk of losing that coverage for themselves and for their families,” Health and Human Services Secretary Kiame Mahaniah said. “The federal government would rather bury us in paperwork rather than make sure that eligible members can receive the care that they need. As a physician at a community health center, this hits particularly close to home, and it is something that is just immoral
WESTHAM PTON
Health Care For All Executive Director Jennifer Lemmerman speaks at a press conference at her organization’s office in downtown Boston on June 30.
HUNTIN GTON
BOSTON — Gov. Maura Healey accused President Donald Trump of inflicting administrative obstacles on vulnerable Medicaid recipients to trigger potential insurance coverage losses, as she visited Haverhill on Aug. 11 to tout a new public outreach campaign aimed at mitigating the impact of those federal policy changes. Beginning in less than five months, more than 300,000 MassHealth members will need to satisfy work and education requirements to maintain their coverage as a result of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that Trump signed in July 2025. “They’re intentionally making it really burdensome to be on MassHealth because the whole point is if you kick people off of MassHealth, you’re going to lower the amount that the federal government has to pay out,” Healey said at a press conference. “And they’re going to take that money that they save covering people with healthcare, and they’re going to use it to cover the tax cuts for the wealthy. That’s essentially what’s going on.” Through the federal law, Trump and congressional Republicans have set their focus on eliminating what they describe as fraud, waste and abuse in public benefit programs like Medicaid and SNAP. In a New York Times opinion piece last year, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and other Trump administration leaders said “that too many able-bodied adults on welfare are not working at all” and implementing work requirements will “prioritize the vulnerable, empower able-bodied individuals, help rebuild thriving communities and protect the taxpayers.” Tax provisions in the federal law will disproportionately benefit the richest 10% of Americans, according to a Center for American Progress analysis. The White House last month celebrated the one-year anniversary of Trump’s “widely popular” tax breaks — including no taxes on tips, overtime and Social Security, as well as “Made in America Car-Loan deductions” — and said that nearly 70% of filers who got a tax cut earned below $100,000. Healey unveiled the MassHealth public outreach campaign at Make It Haverhill, a workforce and digital access program run by Community Action, Inc. The nonprofit is among nearly 50 community-based groups joining with Health Care For All to spread the word about the work requirements. The Legislature appropriated $10 million to Health Care For All for the campaign. The effort largely mirrors the playbook that Health Care For All deployed during the sprawling MassHealth redetermination process in 2023 and 2024, after eligibility checks were paused during the pandemic. “The success of that effort showed that trusted, collaborative, community-based outreach is essential to helping people stay covered,” Health Care For All Executive Director Jennifer Lemmerman said. Starting last week, Healey said, notices were being mailed to MassHealth members about how the federal changes could affect them and what actions they need
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Town creates Big E Trust Strategic Advisory Committee By Peter Tuohy
ptuohy@thereminder.com
WEST SPRINGFIELD — West Springfield plans to take a deep dive into the 30-year Big E Trust to “ensure it continues fulfilling its original charitable purpose for future generations,” according to a press release, Mayor William Reichelt, along with Town Council President Michael LaFlamme, announced the formation of the Big E Trust Strategic Advisory Committee on Aug. 5. The release states that Reichelt “believes that, after over 30 years in operation, it is appropriate to undertake a comprehensive review of the trust’s governance, operations, community impact and long-term stewardship.” A partnership between the town of West Springfield and Eastern States Exposition created the trust in 1995, which provides assistance to a number of local businesses and organizations each year. ESE donates 1% of its annual gross operating revenue each year, tied directly to The Big E’s success. It has contributed over $6.1 million to West Springfield, with $351,742 this year alone. Reichelt appointed Town Councilor Brian Griffin to serve as the committee chair. Griffin will oversee committee work, engage with the public and develop recommendations regarding the future administration and governance of the trust. LaFlamme will appoint another member of the Town Council and Reichelt will appoint three West Springfield residents based on recommen-
The Big E Trust granted local organizations $351,742 in June. Reminder Publishing file photo
dations from the committee’s Town Council members. “The Big E and the town of West Springfield have enjoyed an extraordinary partnership for well over a century,” Reichelt said in the release. “The Big E Trust has now been serving our community for more than thirty years, and I believe it is appropriate to take a thoughtful look at how it has operated during that time and consider whether there are opportunities to strengthen it for the future. I appreciate Councilor Griffin’s willingness to chair this effort and look forward to reviewing the committee’s recommendations.” Griffin said in the release that he intends the committee’s work to be open, collabora-
tive and focused on preserving the trust’s long-term value to the community. “This is an opportunity for us to help shape the future of one of West Springfield’s most important charitable assets,” Griffin said. “We want to hear from people who care about our community, appreciate the role the Big E plays in our success and want to contribute to a thoughtful and transparent process.” Griffin told Reminder Publishing that the committee’s review isn’t because the town thinks something is wrong with the trust, but because it’s been 30 years since its creation. “The mayor and I, and others within leadership with the town, have a responsibility to
understand the creation, evaluation and what has been accomplished so far with the trust, and then determine how we can best preserve and strengthen it for the next generation,” Griffin said. “That’s the crux around it. This isn’t a criticism of the individuals who created or administered the trust. It’s actually respecting what they created enough to make sure we protect it for another generation.” He said there are questions that need to be solved, such as how the town and the Big E have changed, if residents are aware of what the trust does and if the trust’s governance structure is still working and appropriate. “I think there are opportuni-
ties from the city of West Springfield and the Big E to improve transparency and community impact,” Griffin said. “Maybe there’s other impacts we can look at. It really is a lengthy study, and I applied [ESE President and CEO Gene Cassidy] … he didn’t believe this was a bad idea either. I mean, this is a 100-year partnership that we’re talking about.” The committee will begin work this fall and include opportunities for the public to participate in its review process. Residents interested in being one of the three citizens on the committee can submit an application at tinyurl.com/BigETrustCommittee. Submissions are due Sept. 4.
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Signing abortion law, Healey cites stories of ‘anguish and heartache’ By Ella Adams
State House News Service
BOSTON — After lawmakers fast-tracked the bill, Gov. Maura Healey on Aug. 10 signed legislation removing restrictions on abortions after 24 weeks of gestation, a change that supporters say will help more patients stay in-state to receive care. The law (H 5595) eliminates the existing four-pronged framework enabling abortions for pregnancies at or beyond 24 weeks in life-threatening situations for the patient or fetus, instead writing a new law that states “an abortion may be performed by a physician based upon the professional judgment of the physician.” “We’ve heard so many stories — stories that are filled with a lot of pain and anguish and heartache and a lot of trauma. We heard stories about the worst moments of a person’s life, of a couple’s life,” Healey said, surrounded by lawmakers, advocates and physicians at a press conference she hosted in her ceremonial office. “We’re signing this law today so that new patients, people we won’t know or won’t meet, will be able to get the care that they need in Massachusetts.” The bill was filed at the start of the two-year session by state Rep. Christine Barber, who is running this fall for an open Senate seat. It began to take off on July 22 when it was released from the House Ways and Means Committee and was pushed through both branches in a flurry of late-July legislating. The new law will go into effect in 90 days, Healey’s office confirmed. “We know that protecting abortion access and reproductive healthcare has been under fire,” Healey said, noting the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in 2022 and adding, “Today, one in three women in America live in a state with an abortion ban.” The House on July 22 voted 119-33 to pass the bill, with all Republicans who voted casting their votes against it. Democrats who rejected the bill included state Reps. Brian Ashe, Lisa Field, Michael Finn, Dennis Gallagher, Russell Holmes, Christopher Markey, Francisco Paulino, Alan Silvia and Jeffrey Turco. State Rep. Susannah Whipps, the chamber’s only Independent member, voted yes. The Senate on July 31 passed the bill with a 15-4 standing vote. According to Judiciary Committee Chair state Rep. Mike Day, it’s the fourth time in 16 years that lawmakers revisited the issue “in an effort to get it right, to get government out of the way of a health issue, and to lessen the trauma inflicted on pregnant women, who are suddenly confronted with unbelievably tragic news about their pregnancies more than six months into their term.” “We hear that some medical professionals are still uncomfortable with the specific language restrictions that they say continues to interfere with their professional medical judgment, and that some patients continue to have to leave the commonwealth or stay and endure unnecessary trauma
because a treating physician is afraid that they will somehow run afoul of the law based on those restrictions,” Day, who was at the bill signing on Aug. 10, said on the House floor before the late July vote. “We’re also still hearing of patients who, after receiving this news, are ultimately unable to receive necessary medical care because they don’t have the means to afford to leave Massachusetts for it.” Kate Dineen and her husband Alex Lawton recalled the journey they took to Washington, D.C. in 2021, when Dineen was 33 weeks pregnant and learned her baby had suffered a stroke in utero. “He would either die or survive for some period of time with a spectrum of devastating outcomes. And so upon learning of the prognosis, I asked, ‘What are my options?’ And I will never forget the response. ‘You may still be able to explore termination if you’re able to travel,’” Dineen said. “Travel where? We were standing in our kitchen in Boston, just less than a mile from some of the best hospitals in the country.” The diagnosis didn’t qualify for an exception, Dineen said, and their doctor’s “highly capable hands were tied by Massachusetts state law.” The Massachusetts Health and Hospital Association, Beth Israel Lahey Health, Mass General Brigham, Tufts Medicine and UMass Memorial Health in mid-July sent a letter of support to House Speaker Ron Mariano, writing that the state’s existing statutory framework “does not adequately meet the needs of all patients.” According to Department of Public Health Data, there were 99 abortions done at 24 weeks or later in 2024, compared to 84 in 2023. There was a sharp increase in the total number of abortions in Massachusetts in 2024 compared to those done in 2023, which public health officials have said was due to out-of-state patients accessing care through telehealth. “The reality is that medicine does not always fit into clearly defined legal categories,” Worcester state Sen. Robyn Kennedy said on the Senate floor on July 31. “Physicians need the ability to use their medical judgment and advise their patients when facing complex and rapidly changing medical circumstances.” Public Health Committee Chair state Rep. Marjorie Decker said last month that the legislation “does not tell a patient what decision to make. It does not force anyone to have an abortion. It does not take decision-making away from the patients.” The Massachusetts Family Institute on Aug. 3 urged people, “Tell the governor to veto radical late-term abortion!” The institute called the bill “a dangerous attempt to remove virtually all remaining protections in the Commonwealth for unborn babies.” Massachusetts Family Action sent out an email on Aug. 7, writing that the Legislature “passed one of the most extreme abortion bills in the country — allowing abortion at any point in pregnancy, for any reason, outside the
TUFTS UNIVERSITY DEAN’S LIST MEDFORD — Dom Balise of West Springfield was named to the dean’s list at Tufts University for the spring 2026 semester. Dean’s list honors at Tufts University require a semester grade point average of 3.4 or greater.
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safeguards of a hospital.” The group plans a webinar Tuesday on “what’s really in this bill — and how you can help elect leaders who will protect life.” “Abortion is on the ballot this November in Massachusetts and around the country,” Healey said on Aug. 10 when asked what role she thinks abortion politics play in campaigning this year. “My opponents are anti-abortion. One of my opponents, Mike Minogue, is proudly anti-abortion.” Minogue in May said during an appearance that he’s Catholic and “pro-life,” adding that “as governor, I know what the law is, and I’m going to uphold the law.” GOP gubernatorial candidate Brian Shortsleeve called himself a “pro-choice Republican” on GBH’s “Boston Public Radio” in May, and suggested Minogue isn’t electable across the state due to his stance on the issue. According to Reproductive Equity Now, abortion care after 24 weeks represents less than 1% of terminations in the United States. The group’s Interim Executive Director Claire Teylouni has also said that the provision within the law that would remove the requirement that abortions be-
Kate Dineen, surrounded by her husband, lawmakers, public officials and advocates, speaks at a bill signing press conference on Aug. 10 in the governor’s ceremonial State House office. State House News Service photo by Ella Adams
yond 24 weeks occur in a hospital is meant to expand abortion care in other settings as hospitals deal with federal funding concerns. “Massachusetts is affirming again that abortion is essential healthcare, and that politicians should never stand between a patient and their doctor. The significance of this law goes far beyond our state borders,” Teylouni said. ACLU of Massachusetts Ex-
ecutive Director Carol Rose applauded the law in a statement, and said that it ensures “pregnant patients in Massachusetts will no longer have to travel far from their home state to access the care they need.” Ella Adams is a reporter for the State House News Service and State Affairs Massachusetts. Reach her at ella.adams@statehousenews.com.
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 Carol A. Lawson June M. Matt FEEDING HILLS James P. Fenton Viola Blair Massoia
WEST SPRINGFIELD Brenda Sue Landauer Mary E. Negrucci (Raccio) Hristo V. Trajkovski WESTFIELD Francis A. Janisieski
AUGUST 20 - 26, 2026 | AGAWAM | 8 |
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Liberty Bank, Square One support workforce development SPRINGFIELD — In keeping with its longstanding commitment to supporting the cities and towns it serves, the Liberty Bank Foundation recently doubled its support for Square One’s Workforce Development initiatives, presenting a check for $20,000. “The Liberty Bank Foundation shares in our understanding that successful communities are built on the foundation of a strong economy, thriving workforce and flourishing families,” said Kristine Allard, vice president of development and engagement for Square One. “Our YouthWorks and Learn & Earn initiatives are providing our community’s youth with education and career opportunities to achieve their own personal success and contribute to the overall success of our community. Having their ongoing support has made a tremendous difference in our programs!” Square One offers two free
education and career-building programs for youth ages 14-25, who are seeking to earn their high-school equivalency diploma and/or begin building their careers. Through partnerships with area employers, participants earn money and receive valuable training and workplace experience. Participant wages are paid through grant-funded programs managed by Square One, creating a risk-free experience for area employers and a rich learning opportunity for our region’s youth. “We are pleased to partner with Square One to help our community,” said Liberty Bank President and CEO David W. Glidden, who also serves as President of the Liberty Bank Foundation. “Our brand promise is to ‘Be Community Kind,’ and by supporting Square One’s Workforce Development initiatives, we are doing just that. We are helping individuals get the train-
The Liberty Bank Foundation recently donated $20,000 to Square One’s Workforce Development initiatives. Reminder Publishing submitted photo
ing they need to be successful in the workplace, and we are helping to strengthen the economy.” In addition to receiving support from Liberty Bank Foundation and others, the program is largely funded through a grant
from MassHire Hampden County Workforce Board and through the YouthWorks program of the commonwealth of Massachusetts, Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development. The program is administered by
the Commonwealth Corporation. Together, these funds cover the salaries and expenses of the program participants, creating a risk-free experience for area employers and a rich learning opportunity our region’s youth.
Majestic Theater receives NEA grant to support new Shays’ Rebellion play WEST SPRINGFIELD — The Majestic Theater has announced it is the recipient of a fiscal year 2026 grant award of $15,000 from the National Endowment for the
Arts. This funding will support a new play about Shays’ Rebellion in commemoration of Freedom 250 Network, the public-private partnership leading the nation’s
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250th anniversary celebration. Shays’ Rebellion (1786–1787) was an armed uprising of farmers in Western Massachusetts, centered around towns including Springfield, Northampton and Great Barrington. Led by Revolutionary War veteran Daniel Shays, the rebellion was sparked by high taxes, mounting debt and aggressive court actions that resulted in farmers losing their land and being imprisoned for unpaid debts. The rebellion reached its peak in January 1787, when the insurgents attempted to seize the federal arsenal in Springfield. The attack was repelled by the state militia, and the uprising soon collapsed. Although the rebellion was ultimately unsuccessful, it exposed the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and helped build support for a stronger national government, leading
to the Constitutional Convention later that year. The Majestic Theater is inviting submissions from playwrights interested in developing an original full-length play about Shays’ Rebellion — a defining yet often underrepresented event in American history that began in Western Massachusetts. Rooted in historical research and community engagement, the commissioned play will explore the rebellion through the voices and lived experiences of those who shaped it, creating a work that is both historically grounded and theatrically compelling. Developed in conjunction with the national America 250 initiative, the project seeks to reflect on our nation’s past, honor the contributions of those whose stories have too often gone untold, and invite audiences to consider the endur-
ing themes of economic hardship, civic responsibility, power, resilience, and the future we hope to build together. “The National Endowment for the Arts is proud to support opportunities across the country for Americans to experience and participate in the arts,” said Mary Anne Carter, chair of the National Endowment for the Arts. “As we celebrate the country’s 250th anniversary this year, it is a moment to recognize the important role the arts continue to play in our lives, communities and heritage.” “The Majestic is honored and grateful for this opportunity from the National Endowment for the Arts,” stated Terence LaCasse, the managing director of the Majestic Theater. “Telling a familiar story in a new way allows us to breathe new life into a pivotal moment in American history.”
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Latino Arts Festival to return to Springfield Museums By Sarah Heinonen
sheinonen@thereminder.com
SPRINGFIELD — Ahead of National Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, the Springfield Museums will host the fourth annual Latino Arts Festival in partnership with Mi Museo Committee. The festival, on Friday, Aug. 28, is free and open to the public. The Latino Arts Festival is designed to be a celebration of the rich Puerto Rican, Cuban, Afro-Cuban, Portuguese, Mexican, Dominican and Central and South American cultural heritage found throughout Greater Springfield. “The festival has really grown over the last four years,” said Lydia Martinez Alvarez, chair of the Mi Museo Committee. “When we started, the goal was simply to create a space where we could celebrate Latino arts and culture and bring people together. Now, it has really become something the community looks forward to.” She said more artists, performers, vendors and organizations are involved. “We’re able to showcase even more of the diversity within the Latino community.” However, Martinez Alvarez said, “The heart of the festival really hasn’t changed. It’s still about bringing people together, celebrating who we are, sharing our stories, and creating an opportunity for people to learn from one another.” The festival allows Mi Museo Committee to highlight the diverse cultures that exist within the Latino diaspora. “You’re going to see that throughout the festival through music, dance, food, art, crafts, storytelling and the different traditions that people bring with them and those traditions tell stories. They tell us where people come from, what their families have experienced and what they’ve carried with them from one generation to the next.” She added, “I also love seeing how those traditions evolve. We have people who were born here, people who came here from other countries and younger generations who are putting their own spin on traditions that their parents and grandparents passed down to them. That’s what makes Latino culture so beautiful to me. We honor where we come from, but we’re also continuing to create and define what Latino culture looks like here in Western Massachusetts.” The festival begins at 3:30 p.m. with a lecture by Dr. Ariana A. Curtis, curator of Latinx studies at the Smithsonian National
Bomba de Aqui will perform at the fourth annual Latino Art Festival at Springfield Museums. Reminder Publishing submitted photo
Museum of African American History and Culture. A native of Western Massachusetts, Curtis will deliver her talk, “From 413 to DC: Springfield’s Influence on Latinx Stories at the Smithsonian,” which explores how growing up in the Springfield area shaped her work and influences Latino representation at the Smithsonian and elsewhere. “What makes Dr. Curtis such a great fit is really the perspective she brings,” said Martinez Alvarez. “Her work allows us to have a deeper conversation about Latino history, art, representation and the role that museums and cultural institutions play in telling our stories.” Martinez Alvarez said those lessons are particularly poignant in Western Massachusetts. “We have such a rich and diverse Latino community, and it’s important that people see themselves and their experiences reflected in the institutions that serve them,” she said. Between 5 and 8 p.m., there will be guided tours of two exhibits on loan from Museo de Arte de Ponce in Puerto Rico. “Legacies of Surrealism” takes a trip through the unconscious mind of Latin American artists from the latter half of the 20th century, producing dream-like visuals and perspectives. “You’re really looking at how artists use their work to express their experiences and their understanding of the world around them,” Martinez Alva-
rez said. “When you think about Puerto Rico, there are so many layers to that identity, history, colonialism, culture and what it means to belong.” With “Markets, Foodways, and the Essence of Place,” which focuses on Puerto Rican markets, plantations and other Latin American scenes of food and its place in everyday life, she said it “really hits home ... Food is never just food for us. There’s a story behind it. There’s a family connection. There are memories. There are traditions that have been passed down, and you see that right here in Western Massachusetts. You see it in our restaurants, our markets, our family gatherings and our festivals.” She continued, “People bring a piece of home with them, and then they build something new here. I think that’s really what both exhibits help us understand that culture travels with us. We can leave one place, but we don’t leave our history and traditions behind. We carry them with us, and they become part of the community we’re building here.” The exhibits were lent through the Art Bridges’ Partner Loan Network and are sponsored by Connecticut Public. There will also be an interactive floral art experience with Idalia Long of Social Haus Displays. People can create decorative palm fans using dried floral materials. Families can take part in hands-on art activities includ-
ing coloring paper fans and maracas, and there will be a book giveaway for children. People can also enjoy complimentary hors d’oeuvres by NOSH, a cash bar, a DJ and a photo booth by Cumba Entertainment. At 6 p.m., there will be a live performance by Bomba de Aqui, a Holyoke-based dance and music company that teaches and performs the Afro-Puerto Rican tradition of bomba music. In bomba, the lead drummer and lead dancer work in conversation with each other to set the rhythm, with the drummer following the dancer’s lead.
The Latino Arts Festival is funded largely by a state earmark sponsored by state Rep. Carlos González, state Sen. Adam Gomez and the Springfield legislative delegation. It is supported by El Sol Latino, Full Power Radio, MassLive Media, MassMutual and New England Public Media. Reflecting on the impact the festival has had, Martinez Alvarez said, “I think that’s probably the most rewarding part — seeing families, young people, elders and people from all different backgrounds come together and feel connected to the celebration.”
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AUGUST 20 - 26, 2026 | AGAWAM | 10 |
THEREMINDER.COM | WE ARE HOMETOWN NEWS
Left to right: Brooke Cruz, Sophia Desrosiers and Liliana Eckstrom jostle for rebound position.
Rae Winkler assumes a defensive stance.
Zuri Coles drives through the lane for a lay-up.
Hannah Podworski from Agawam looks to pass out of the low post as West Side’s Emily Villar defends.
Layla Canales takes it strong to the basket.
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On Aug. 4, Agawam defeated West Springfield 19-17 in a Spec Pond Summer Basketball girls seventh and eighth grade playoff game.
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AGAWAM | AUGUST 20 - 26, 2026
Olivia Barnes advances the ball as time winds down in the third quarter.
West Springfield’s Eva Ziva Dowd (left) and Agawam’s Jaelyn Holmes battle for the loose ball.
Agawam’s Olivia Curto dribbles baseline as Layla Canales from West Side defends.
Molly Hutchison contributed 4 points towards Agawam’s victory.
Agawam’s Liliana Eckstrom swoops to the hoop.
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AFFORDABLE FIREWOOD
Call: 413-530-4820
PTON
WESTHAM
GTON HUNTIN
CHESTER
FIREWOOD
NORTHAMPTON
EASTHAM
Shannon: 413.735.1660
PTON
rmiller-longtin@thereminder.com FOR: AGAWAM REMINDER, THE PENNYSAVER, AND WESTFIELD NEWS
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443B SHAKER ROAD • EAST LONGMEADOW, MA • 413.525.6661 (DENSLOW ROAD ENTRANCE)
181 ROOT ROAD • WESTFIELD, MA • 413.562.4181
AGAWAM
Colin James Ashley, Jessica Lynn Mitchell, David Mitchell and Cory Schumann to Seamus LaChapelle and Gabrielle LaChapelle, 387 Southwick St., $380,000. Joseph J. Davis, trustee, and Fakide Davis Real Estate Trust, trustee of, to Andrii Yakiviuk, 0 North St., $160,000. Lynn E. Oakes and Jeffrey Oakes to Halibut Point Investments LLC, 212 Regency Park Drive, Unit 212, $145,000. Maryjo Wytas to Glen Meisenhelder and Tiffany Kurchner, Day Street, $40,000. Melissa Jeanne Vandermyn to Francisco Rivera Jr., 69 Lealand Ave., $383,500. Michael G. Robie to Tristan Dixon and Elyssa Janice Parrish, 73 Regency Park Drive, $215,000. Corey Colonial Condominium Association and Corey Colonial Condominium Association Inc., to Wladimyr Duarte, 53 Corey Colonial, Unit 53, $135,000. Paul J. Sullivan, trustee and representative, Plantation Drive Irrevocable Trust, trustee of, and Paul S. Vadnais, estate, to Heather Riccillo, 74 Plantation Drive, $258,000. Ronald Sarnelli and Therese Sarnelli to Elliot S. Posada and Susy S. Posada, 272 Regency Park Drive, $165,000. Tarkan Topcuoglu and Hilal Topcuoglu to Sara Derkauoi, Aziz Bensoum and Khadija Bensoum, 88 Jennie Circle, $560,000. Timothy M. Davis and Erin A. Davis to Ilya Zgerya and Natalia Zgerya, 75 Spruce Circle, $685,000. Warren Schreiber to Corey Colonial Condominium Association, 53 Corey Colonial, Unit 53, $49,000. Wladimyr Duarte to John M. Paserini, 53 Corey Colonial, Unit 53, $299,500.
HOLYOKE
Federal National Mortgage Association, and Fannie Mae to Elite Investment Group LLC, 16 Center St., $87,151. Derek Edward Kerns to Owen Jeffrey Hunter, 53 Calumet Road, $350,000. Equity Trust Co., custodian, Robert Lareau IRA, and Robert Lareau to Alexander Rodriguez De Los Angeles, 109-111 Brown Ave., $460,000. HHA-South Holyoke Homes II LLC, to Jovani Collazo, 169 Clemente St., $240,000. HHA-South Holyoke Homes II LLC, to Juanita M. Mckoy and Juanita F. Mckoy, 201 Clemente St., $260,000.
Four Seasons Handyman Services 40-years experience in carpentry. Recently retired but want to stay busy helping you with any job you are afraid to ask help for. Todd 413-433-5319
HEALTH & MEDICAL Dental insurance from Physicians Mutual Insurance Company. Coverage for 400+ procedures. Real dental insurance - not just a discount plan. Get your free Information Kit with 1 - 8 5 5 - 5 2 6 - 1 0 6 0 d e t a i l s ! www.dental50plus.com/ads #6258
HELP WANTED The Town of Huntington is seeking a fulltime Police Officer. $27.40 to $32.21 per hour based on qualifications. Application and complete job description are available online at www.huntingtonma.us or by emailing admin@huntingtonma.us. Position open until filled. Town of Huntington is an Equal Opportunity Employer
HOME IMPROVEMENT
CHAMELEON REMODELING & PAINTING
When it's time for a change
HAMPDEN
SOMERS
HANDYMAN
GENERAL SERVICES
SPRINGFIELD
EAST LONGMEADOW
OLD SCHOOL WINDOW & GUTTER CLEANING Gutter Cleaning $95 any home; Power washing starts at $99; Window Cleaning starting at $75; Roof Moss Control $99. Call Bob 413-896-6442. FULLY INSURED www.windowcleanup.com
POEHLMAN ELECTRIC
PLACE YOUR LEGAL ADS WITH REMINDER PUBLISHING & THE WESTFIELD NEWS! AFFORDABLE RATES AND PERSONAL SERVICE!
GENERAL SERVICES RICHIE’S HOME IMPROVEMENTS Contractor/Mechanical Services/ Handyman Replacement windows, vinyl siding, roofing, gutters installed/cleaned, remodeling, painting, flooring/carpeting, masonry, carpentry, powerwashing & ceramic tiling. Residential/commercial. No job too small. Lic#148425/Insured 413-746-2171/413-246-0927
PETE 413-433-0356
Free Estimates Credit cards accepted Same day service!
- INTERIOR & EXTERIOR -
Remodeling Kitchens, Baths, and so much more! Residential/Commercial
Fully Insured · Free Estimates
413-351-1147
GET DISH SATELLITE TV + INTERNET! Free install, Free HD-DVR Upgrade. 80,000 On-Demand Movies, Plus Limited Time Up To $600 In Gift Cards. Call Today! 1-866-299-7135
Katherine L. Paul to Anchor Falls LLC, 38-40 Florence Ave., $167,000. Max C. Hebert and Rachel E. Hebert to Joseph A. Leonard Jr., 173-177 Madison Ave., $684,000. Paul W. Garvulenski to Filomeno Properties LLC, 32-36 Canal St., $315,000. Stanley A. Geddes to Jarrad Burns and Nikolas Burns, 146 Beech St., $283,000. Napolitanio Roofing of Massachusetts LLC, to Healthy Neighborhoods Group LLC, and Napolitano Roofing of Massachusetts LLC, 85-87 Hitchcock St., $400,000.
SOUTHWICK
625 College Highway LLC, to MB Southwick Realty LLC, 625 College Highway, $737,500. Aspenwood Associates LLC, to Ronald Michonski and Nancy Michonski, 177 Klaus Anderson Road, $65,000. Pamela Anne Molennor, trustee, and Pamela A. Molennor Trust, trustee of, to Clinton Moffie, 5 Honeybird Run, $1,050,000. Sergey Savonin to Robert Davis and Catherine Y. Davis, 94 Berkshire Ave., $1,225,000. Thomas J. McLaughlin, trustee, Barbara M. Wynns, trustee, and Bernard J. Mclaughlin Revocable Indenture of Trust of, trustee of, to Aspenwood Associates LLC, 177 Klaus Anderson Road, $585,000.
WEST SPRINGFIELD
Diana Sperrazza to JMF Properties LLC, 111-113 Chestnut St., $250,000. Edward Murphy Jr., Joan M. Murphy and Edward C. Murphy to Noah Koski and Audra Gillian Janco, 114 Field St., $295,000. Eldon A. Wallen to Anastasiia Kirillova and Ivan Kirillov, 63 Laurence Drive, $356,000. Hannah Fawn Goncalves to Taylor N. Sawicki and Noah P. Piekos, 35 Woodward Road, $363,600. Mustafa Gusenov to Ramiz Badirov and Leila Badirova, 43 Windsor St., $550,000. Russell G. Finnie, Susan M. Finnie and Andrew S. Finnie to Regina Trask, 80 Brush Hill Ave., Unit 40, $195,000. Sandra A. Marini to Stephen Marini, 134 Ashley St., $105,000. William J. Fitzsimmons, William J. Fitzsimmons III, and Annmarie Fitzsimmons to Sean R. Kerrigan and Nicole J. Kerrigan, 93 Lennys Way, $700,000.
WE ARE HOMETOWN NEWS | THEREMINDER.COM
HOME IMPROVEMENT A-1 AFFORDABLE BUILDING CONTRACTOR Light carpentry, Framing to finish carpentry. Specializing in decks, barn repairs, log cabin repairs, garage repairs, sheds, basement conversions, interior renovations; exterior repairs. 29 Years Experience Licensed & Insured Veteran Owned & Operated 10% Sr. Discounts
Call Dave: 413-568-6440 DALE'S STRUCTURAL Termite damage, sagging floors, rotted beams, basement columns, foundation repairs, homes, garages, barns. Small jobs welcome. 413-667-3149
HOME MAINTENANCE JOSEPH'S HANDYMAN COMPANY Carpentry, remodeling, kitchen, baths, basements, drywall, tile, floors, restoration services, doors, windows, decks, stairs, interior/exterior painting, plumbing. Small jobs ok. Projects designed to fit your needs, all types of professional work done since 1985. Call Joe (413)364-7038
HOUSE PAINTING ALWAYS CALL FIRST!!! M&M SERVICES 29 Years serving the Westfield area. Painting, staining, house washing, interior/exterior. Wall coverings. Water damage and ceiling/wall repairs. Commercial/residential. Free estimates. Insured. References. Call Carmine at: (413) 537-4665 No job is too small!!!
LETOURNEAU & SONS PAINTING ONE CALL DOES IT ALL! Family owned and operated, painting/home improvements. Serving Western MA since 1986. Specializing in residential/commercial , exterior/interior painting and staining. Exterior home repairs/carpentry of all type. Call Bill for your FREE no obligation estimate (413) 977-9633 or (413) 562-5727 www.Ls-painting.com
LANDSCAPING 2 Old Guys & A Dump Truck Fall-cleanup, re-seeding/aeration, pruning/trimming, weeding, mulch/stone, sod installation, bobcat services. Free Estimates. (413)575-7052-NEW NUMBER
| 13 |
AGAWAM | AUGUST 20 - 26, 2026
LANDSCAPING
MISCELLANEOUS
MISCELLANEOUS
HAGGER’S LANDSCAPING SERVICES, LLC
DONATE YOUR CAR, TRUCK, BOAT, RV and more to support our veterans! Schedule a FAST, FREE vehicle pickup and receive a top tax deduction! Call Veteran Car Donations at 1888-305-7286 today!
Peace of mind & early detection - Now more than ever, it’s important to get screened for Stroke & Cardiovascular Disease risk. Life Line Screening is simple & painless. 833-970-4172
Mulching, brush removal, lawn restoration and seeding, Bobcat services. -------Landscape design, decorative stone, plantings, patios, walkways, retaining walls and more! FULLY INSURED FREE estimates! (413) 626-6122 or visit: www.haggerscape.com
Trimming Edge Lawncare Will Beat Quoted price Lawn mowing, Spring and Fall Cleanup, Brush Removal, And More... 413-551-9653
MASONRY MASONRY AND CHIMNEY REPAIR Stucco/Repointing/Small Chimney Repairs/Rebuilds. Call or Text Chris 413-977-9041
MASONRY / CONCRETE ABC MASONRY & BASEMENT WATERPROOFING All brick, block concrete; concrete steps & walk-ways; new paver walk-ways; paver patios & retaining walls. Chimneys, foundations, hatchways, new basement windows installed and repaired. New hatchway & bulkhead doors. Sump pumps and french drain systems installed. Foundations pointed and stuccoed. Free estimates (413)569-1611 or (413)374-5377 TMR MASON CONTRACTOR All types of masonry and concrete: brick, block, stone stucco. Chimney repairs, foundation repairs, bulkheads, concrete sidewalks, stairs and patios, Fully licensed/ insured. Todd: 413-575-3839
MISCELLANEOUS Home Break-ins take less than 60 seconds. Don't wait! Protect your family, your home, your assets now for as little as 70¢/day! 1-877-9070316
NO MORE CLEANING OUT GUTTERS! Guaranteed! LeafFilter is backed by a non-clog guarantee and lifetime transferrable warranty. Call today 1-855-925-2643 to schedule a FREE inspection and no obligation estimate. Get 15% off your entire order. Plus, Military & Seniors get an additional 10% off. Limited time only. Restrictions apply, see representative for warranty and offer details. AGING ROOF? NEW HOMEOWNER? STORM DAMAGE? You need a local expert provider that proudly stands behind their work. Fast, free estimate. Financing available. Call 877-461-0698. Have zip code ready when calling!
SunSetter. America's Number One Awning! Instant shade at the touch of a button. Transform your deck or patio into an outdoor oasis. Up to 10-year limited warranty. Save $350 today! 855-914-1148
Consumer Cellular - same reliable, nationwide coverage as the largest carriers. No longterm contract, no hidden fees free activation. All plans feature unlimited talk & text, starting at just $20/mo. Call 1-877-751-0866
TOP DOLLAR PAID for old vintage Guitars! Gibson, Fender, Martin, Grecsch, Rickenbacker, Epiphone, Etc. 1930's to 1980's. Call 866433-8277
Jacuzzi Bath Remodel can install a new, custom bath or shower in as little as 1-day. Limited time, waving all installation costs! Additional terms apply. Subject to change & vary by dealer. Ends soon. 844-501-3208
Water damage cleanup & restoration: A small amount of water can lead to major damage in your home. Our trusted professionals do complete repairs to protect your family & home value! 877-318-6832. Have zip code ready! Wesley Financial Group, LLC Timeshare Cancellation Experts Over $50,000,000 in timeshare debt & fees cancelled in 2019. Get free info package & learn how to get rid of your timeshare! Free consultations. Over 450 positive reviews. 833-308-1971
KEITH'S UPHOLSTERY & REPAIRS 40+ years experience for home or business. 25% Discount off all fabrics. Get quality workmanship at a reasonable price. Call (413)562-6639 Monday-Friday, 9-5.
VACATION RENTAL WESLEY FINANCIAL GROUP, LLC Timeshare Cancellation Experts. Over $50,000,000 in timeshare debt and fees cancelled in 2019. Get free informational package and learn how to get rid of your timeshare! Free Consultations. Over 450 positive reviews. Call 877-621-7517
WANTED Always buying antiques watches jewelry gold coins art military signs posters cameras toys video games action figures Star Wars vintage electronics amplifiers receivers' radios HAM equipment speakers' musical instruments guitars saxophones horns amplifiers sports memorabilia clocks plus more one item or entire estates. 413-206-8688
PAINTING & WALLPAPERING PROFESSIONAL PAINTING Interior, exterior, wallpapering, minor carpentry. Low, low prices. Free estimates. Steve 413310-5099; 860-741-5588
WANTED TO BUY Wanted! CASH for: ANYTHING OF SIGNIFICANT VALUE! Machinist, Specialty, and Mechanic Tools, Electronics/Audio, Sports Cards, Vintage Toys, Antiques/Collectibles, much more! Call/Text Sam 413-531-5381
PLUMBING DAVID ROSE PLUMBING & HEATING
MobileHelp, America's premier mobile medical alert system. Whether you're home or away. For safety & peace of mind. No long term contracts! Free brochure! 1-888-489-3936
For ALL your plumbing needs. No job is too small! Veteran Owned and operated MA Licensed and Insured
Need cash quickly? We buy houses in any condition. Get a fair cash offer within 24 hours! Call today. Liz Buys Houses: 833-359-4707 No more cleaning gutters. Guaranteed! LeafFilter backed by no-clog guarantee & lifetime warranty. Call 1-833-610-1936 to schedule FREE inspection/estimate. Get 15% off your entire order. Military & Seniors get additional 10% off. Limited time. Restrictions apply, see rep for details.
UPHOLSTERY
Professional lawn service: Fertilization, weed control, seeding, aeration & mosquito control. Free quote. Ask about first application special! 877-484-8583
Become a published author. We want to read your book! Dorrance Publishing trusted since 1920. Consultation, production, promotion & distribution. Call for free author`s guide 1-877729-4998 or visit dorranceinfo.com/ads
Inflation is at 40 year highs. Interest rates are way up. Credit cards. Medical bills. Car loans. Do you have $10k or more in debt? Call National Debt Relief and find out how to pay off your debt for significantly less than what you owe! Free quote: Call 1-844-955-4930
413-579-5619 Cell: 413-530-2982
Prepare for power outages today with a Generac Home Standby Generator. Act now to receive a free 5-Year warranty with qualifying purchase* Call 1-855-948-6176 today to schedule a free quote. It’s not just a generator. It’s a power move.
Reach millions of homes nationwide with one easy, affordable buy in the ADS Network! For more information www.communitypublishers.com/category/all-products
End your tax worries today. Let us make your tax problem our priority. Scared, stuck with high tax amounts? Our A+ tax professionals can help. Free consultation. Priority Tax 855959-2267
American Tree & Shrub Removal, pruning, bucket/crane work. Light excavation and tree planting. Fully Insured/Free Estimates. 24-hour Emergency Services. 20+ years Experience
Pest control: Protect your home from pests safely. Roaches, Bed Bugs, Rodent, Termite, Spiders & more. Locally owned & affordable. For service or inspection today! 877-916-2103 Have zip code ready!
BATH & SHOWER UPDATES in as little as 1 day! Affordable prices - No payments for 18 months! Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Senior & military discounts available. 1877-543-9189
DIRECTV Stream - Carries the most local MLB games! Choice Pkg $89.99/mo for 12 mos Stream on 20 devic-es. HBO Max included for 3 mos w/Choice Package or higher. No contract or hidden fees! Restrictions apply. IVS 866-859-0405
TREE SERVICE
Call Dave 413-579-4073
ROOFING NEW ROOFS-REPAIRS-CLEANING Siding and windows, decks built and repaired. Fully insured. MA Lic #CSFA106255. David Germaine 413-250-3263
SOLUTIONS TO THIS WEEK’S PUZZLE “OH, GO ON!”
PART-TIME DRIVERS NEEDED We are looking for Home Delivery Drivers to join our team. • $15/hour plus mileage reimbursement • 16-24 Hours per week. • Delivery experience preferred (newspaper delivery, USPS, Amazon, etc.), but not required, as well as knowledge of Northampton- Florence, and/or Westfield. • Must have a valid driver’s license and reliable vehicle. If interested, please contact Nate Halla Nhalla@thereminder.com • 413-213-6175
CARRIERS & PART-TIME SUBS NEEDED! WE ARE OFFERING A BONUS INCENTIVE TO NEW CARRIERS AFTER COMPLETING 4 WEEKS!
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.
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 Rd., Wildwood Glen, Maplewood St., Partial-Maple Rd. 158 Papers: Burbank Rd., Farmington Rd., Ellington Rd., Oakwood Rd., Partial-Converse St. 201 Papers: Dover Rd., Birchwood Ave., Benedict Ter., Roseland Ter., Colony Rd. 61 Papers: Magnolia Cir., Primrose Dr., Merriweather Dr., Vanguard Ln., Ridge Rd. 230 Papers: Blueberry Hill Rd., Concord Rd., Green Willow Dr., Tanglewood Dr., Redfern Dr. 80 Papers: Chandler Ave., Partial - Longmeadow St. 108 Papers: Birnie Rd., Brookside Dr., Crescent Rd., Longview Dr., Fairhill Dr., Partial - Longmeadow St.
LONGMEADOW - THURSDAY, HOOK DELIVERY
WILBRAHAM - 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.
228 Papers: Echo Hill Rd., Highmoor Dr., Meeting House Ln., Rice Dr., Ridge Rd., Highridge Rd., Hitching Post Ln., Partial - Mountain Rd., Monson Rd., Tinkham Rd., Main St.
Call Holly @
413.788.1316
443B SHAKER ROAD, EAST LONGMEADOW, MA · 181 ROOT ROAD, WESTFIELD, MA
AUGUST 20 - 26, 2026 | AGAWAM | 14 |
THEREMINDER.COM | WE ARE HOMETOWN NEWS
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