Override, electric light facility highlight April 14 election
South Hadley will host its Town Election on Tuesday, April 14, featuring multiple contested races and a major Proposition 2 1/2 tax override vote on the ballot.
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CHICOPEE
Schematic design phase begins for Barry school project
The Anna E. Barry Elementary School project will move forward now that it has been recently approved by the Massachusetts School Building Authority to enter the schematic design phase.
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HOLYOKE
Holyoke takes next step toward building new middle school
At its March 23 meeting, the School Committee voted to move forward with a statement of interest to the Massachusetts School Building Authority for a core project that would replace the H.B. Lawrence Elementary School with a new middle school.
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Stranded resident offers aid in Lebanon
By Sarah Heinonen sheinonen@thereminder.com
BEIRUT, LEBANON — It is hard to be away from home for extended periods. Harder still when one is in a war zone. Hassan Mourad, a Springfield resident who traveled to Lebanon on business in late February, became stranded in the country amid the Iran War. However, he has turned his circumstances into action, working to help displaced people however he can.
the interview, Mourad repeatedly looked behind him into the distance as the sound of air raids carried across the city.
Mourad, a first-generation Lebanese American, is a 33-yearold business owner and father of two who was born and raised in Springfield. He went to Lebanon to strike distributing deals for his uncle’s line of hair care products. Less than 48 hours later, the United States and Israel launched surprise attacks against Iran. After Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the first wave of attacks, Hezbollah, a Lebanese political party and banned paramilitary group, launched missiles at its neighbor and long-time adversary, Israel. Israel responded by stepping up its attacks against Lebanon and launching a ground invasion.
Mourad said, but a few days later when the American embassy closed, commercial flights largely stopped. The only flights available now are through Beirut-based Middle East Airlines. He had booked a flight to Turkey, but it was canceled. He said if he were able to successfully catch a flight, it would likely take him to Cyprus or Egypt, and he would need to make his way to the United States from there.
Mourad is less concerned with fleeing the country, though, and more focused on helping people in Lebanon, much to the dismay of his family. He said his parents are worried, particularly when they hear reports of aid workers killed in air strikes. His mother calls him every day asking him to come home. “I tell her, ‘I have to help our people,’” he said.
sure them that he is safe but said they are old enough to understand news reports. “They tell me, ‘No one is safe. Look at what happened in Gaza.’ Once I feel like my mission here is complete, I’ll be more focused on getting home.”
When asked how he is faring, Mourad said, “I’m still alive, so that’s good. It’s a surreal experience for me.” He admitted, “It takes a lot of courage to be out here.”
On March 17, Reminder Publishing reached out to Mourad via Zoom. He stood in front of a wall of windows. In the background, the setting sun cast a warm, hazy glow over the skyline of Beirut. The haze, he explained, was from the plumes of smoke that rise from the hourly air strikes in Douha, Lebanon, a couple miles south of Beirut. Throughout the course of
This is not Mourad’s first time in Lebanon while the country is at war. Israel crossed into Lebanon in October 2024, and despite a ceasefire signed roughly two months later, there have been consistent air strikes since. Mourad’s parents left Lebanon to escape war with Israel, which has been recurring since 1978.
“In 2024, I was very unhap-
See LEBANON on page 3 APRIL 2, 2026 | FREE
Many Americans left Lebanon immediately after the war began,
Mourad’s children also fear for their father. While he tries to as-
From left: Hassan Mourad hands food to a child whose family is sheltering at a school. Hassan Mourad talks about the humanitarian need in Lebanon. Smoke rises from a nearby airstrike in Lebanon.
Photo credit: Hassan Mourad
STRM: Woo Sox, Yard Goats ready to tee up seasons
By Tyler Garnet tgarnet@thereminder.com
On the latest episode of “So That Reminds Me,” hosts Ryan Feyre and Chris Maza sat down with Hartford Yard Goats General Manager Mike Abramson while Tyler Garnet and Dennis Hackett sat down with Worcester Red Sox’s Marketing Vice President Steve Oliveira to talk about their organizations upcoming minor league baseball seasons.
Worcester Red Sox
The Worcester Red Sox, Triple-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, opened its season on March 27 against the Syracuse Mets at Polar Park.
Oliveira said offseason renovations at Polar Park include a new patio area in the Triple Decker Garden and added covering at the Hanover Deck to better accommodate fans in changing weather.
Promotions this season include bobblehead giveaways for former WooSox players Wilyer Abreu and Ceddanne Rafaela, along with Clara-themed giveaways and tri-corner hats in June to mark America’s 250th anniversary. Returning favorites include Friday fireworks, Saturday postgame catch on the field and Sunday kids base running.
Like all minor league teams, Worcester will have alternate identity-themed nights throughout the season. As part of the program, the Worcester Woo Sox will transform into the “Pawtucket Hot Wieners,” the “Worcester Kelley Squares,” and “The Art of the Woo,” for select games during the upcoming season.
“Some good ole minor league fun,” Oliveira said. “The type of things that you don’t necessarily see at the major league level.”
Oliveira also mentioned new offerings that guests can look out for this year, including a
“Smiley” meal for kids, which he described as the WooSox’s version of a Happy Meal; a $5 beer offering 16-ounce beers; and a specialty Battle Burger, themed for the visiting team that week. For example, when the Buffalo Bisons visit Polar Park, buffalo wings will be added to the specialty burger.
Aside from the added beverage and food options, there are plenty of players that fans can look forward to this season, according to Oliveira, including infielder Mikey Romero, and pitchers Jake Bennett and Payton Tolle.
“Our manager, Chad Tracy, was just recently talking in Spring Training saying he thinks this has the chance of being the best WooSox team that he’s been apart of the last five years, which is awesome to hear.”
Oliveira said there’s always the possibility major league players get assigned for their rehab assignments in Triple-A, and prospects are constantly sent down or called up throughout the season.
For more information on the WooSox’s upcoming schedule and offerings, readers can visit woosox.com.
Hartford Yard Goats
The Hartford Yard Goats, Double-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, will celebrate its 10th season at Dunkin’ Park after relocating from New Britain in 2016.
Abramson said the organization has welcomed over three million fans to the ballpark and has “sort of continuously [shattered] every record for the most number of fans in the shortest period of time.”
The ballpark has repeatedly ranked among the top Double-A venues.
Promotional nights this season include a Negro League celebration on June 24, honoring Hartford School Boys play-
er Johnny “Schoolboy” Taylor, Jackie Robinson Day on April 15, and multiple Los Chivos de Hartford games celebrating Hispanic and Latino culture, including a Roberto Clemente tribute in August.
“We definitely like to tie back, when we can, to the history through our themes. Obviously, diversity, equity, inclusion, those are all really important initiatives for us here in the ballpark. We want to celebrate things that are reflective of the community that we’re in,” Abramson stated. “You need to serve everybody, so we’re honoring the history of baseball, but we also have Banana Ball coming back, which is the newest iteration, I guess, of so-called baseball. We’ll do anything to get people here.”
Opening weekend features a 10-year celebration, jersey giveaway, fireworks and appearances by Mario, Luigi and Bluey. Other themed events include a divorce party night, Halloween game, Rock Cats throwback nights, and Eras night with DJ Swiftie, a wedding vow renewal night and a Hartford Whalers alumni event.
Abramson also discussed the viral new food item that the Yard Goats will debut this season on certain nights, which is designed to resemble a friendship bracelet called the “Anti-Hero.” It is a 2-foot all beef hot dog served on an artisan Italian loaf bun, topped with 11 powdered donuts, a mustard-ketchup drizzle with sweet candied pink and blue sprinkles.
Other new food items include munchkin nachos, a frycuterie board and a cinnamon bun burger.
“We marketed ourselves as Connecticut’s largest restaurant,” Abramson said. “We are as much a restaurant as we are a sports venue. The vast majority of people come out here because it’s an entertainment option, not
because they have a deep love of baseball in general.” Abramson talked about a few prospects to look forward to this season, including catcher Cole Messina, pitchers Everett Catlett and Griffin Herring, infielder Roc Riggio and outfielders Cole Carrigg and Charlie Condon, who have a good chance of being called-up to the major league club.
“There’s probably a couple players you want to come out and see once or twice because I do think you’ll see them perform in the majors,” Abramson said.
Although a good roster and wins are a plus, Abramson talked about the importance of selling entertainment to get fans in the seats, as the roster can constantly change because
players are continuously called up or traded.
“Double-A is all about development. They are putting a team together that can play as a team, but they’re also hyper focused on the individuals who are figuring out what their limitations are,” the Yard Goats general manager said, “We don’t sell baseball wins and losses, we sell entertainment, but it does not hurt to have a team that is fun to watch on the field.”
For more information on the Yard Goats upcoming season, readers can visit milb. com/Hartford.
To hear the full episode, visit thereminder.com/our-podcast or search “So That Reminds Me” on your favorite podcasting platform.
Worcester Red Sox’s Marketing Vice President Steve Oliveira (left) sit down with “So That Reminds Me” hosts Dennis Hackett and Tyler Garnet.
Reminder Publishing photo by Debbie Gardner
Override, electric light facility highlight April 14 election
By Tyler Garnet tgarnet@thereminder.com
SOUTH HADLEY — South Hadley will host its Town Election on Tuesday, April 14, featuring multiple contested races and a major Proposition 2½ tax override vote on the ballot.
Residents will have the opportunity to vote in person on Election Day at South Hadley High School, 153 Newton St. Residents can also vote by mail or in-person early voting in the town clerk’s office.
To vote in South Hadley, you must be registered at your address at least 10 days before the election or primary. For any questions, readers can reach out to the town clerk’s office at 413538-5030, ext. 6183, or email at elections@southhadleyma.gov.
The town hosted a Know Your Town: Candidates Night on March 19 to allow residents to get to know most of the people running for each position. That recording can be found at
shctv15.com.
The election features two contested races. Four candidates are vying for two seats on the Selectboard. Incumbent Nicole Casolari hopes to secure another term, while newcomers Kevin Hennessey, David King and Priscilla Marion will look to join the board.
Selectboard member Andrea Miles is not running for reelection after serving on the board for nine years.
The other contested race on the ballot is Housing Authority. Incumbent John Duda will take on challenger Richard Matteson in that race.
The remaining races on the ballot are unopposed, including the School Committee, Free Public Library Trustees, Board of Health, Municipal Light Board, Board of Assessors and Planning Board. Tracie Kennedy hopes to return to the School Committee after filling Dan Vieau’s vacated seat since September 2025. Newcomer Nicholas Prentiss also
submitted papers for the School Committee, with two seats available for two candidates.
For the Free Public Library Trustee positions, there are three three-year seats available. Susan Crowther, David Morrell and Gillian Woldorf are all listed on the ballot for those roles. David Solender-Clark is running for the one-year trustee position.
John Hine is running unopposed as an incumbent with the Municipal Light Board, and Kevin Taugher is running unopposed as an incumbent with the Board of Assessors.
There are also several vacant spots on the ballot. Both Planning Board Chair Karen Walsh Pio and Board of Health Chair Diane Supczak-Mulvaney are running for reelection for their respective boards, but both boards have an additional upcoming vacancy with no residents listed on the ballot.
Voters will also vote for various Town Meeting members based on the precinct they live in.
Aside from voting for their preferred elected officials, residents will see two tax override options on the Election Day ballot: the $9 million option or the $11 million option.
Voters may vote for or against each question independently. A majority is required for one of the questions to pass. If both questions pass, the $11 million override will prevail.
Each question will read “Shall the Town of South Hadley be allowed to assess an additional $____ in real estate and personal property taxes for the purposes of operating the Municipal Government and Public Schools for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026?”
The blank will have $9 million as one option and $11 million as the other. Residents will vote either yes or no.
The final item listed on the ballot is a non-binding question to see if the town will support the construction of a $36.5 million South Hadley Electric Lighting
Department facility.
The town hosted a Know Your Town: SHELD building forum on March 12, which can be found on South Hadley’s community TV website.
SHELD General Manager Sean Fitzgerald and Municipal Light Board Chair John Hine discussed the project, which would relocate the town’s electrical utility building, located at 85 Main St., to a new headquarters on Williamansett Street near the Big Y supermarket.
The current facility is located in a 100-year flood zone, making it increasingly expensive to operate each year..
Although the item will be listed on the ballot as a nonbinding question, the project has advanced through the approval process, and the town hopes the project will be completed in 2027. The Municipal Light Board has submitted its notice of intent to the Conservation Commission, and SHELD will appear before the Planning Board in April.
Pediatric Hydrocephalus Foundation to host quarter auction
HOLYOKE — The Pediatric Hydrocephalus Foundation invites the community to a quarter auction fundraiser on Sunday, April 12, at 1 p.m. at the Westfield Elks Lodge at 56 Franklin St. in Westfield.
Proceeds will directly support children and families impacted by hydrocephalus — a serious neurological condition that affects thousands of children across the United States each year.
Hosted by KSH Vendor Events and organizers Sue and Kelly Hor-
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py with the situation in the Middle East. It bothered me to pay taxes and have that money go to weapons used to kill people here in the Middle East,” Mourad said of Israel’s use of American-made arms to strike Lebanon. He began a GoFundMe campaign to raise money and then distributed food, diapers and baby formula to the people who were displaced by the fighting.
“Maybe it’s God’s plan putting me back here,” Mourad wondered aloud, and not for the first time.
Mourad said the current air strikes have once again displaced the same people who fled their homes in 2024. Given just 30 minutes of warning, many did not have time to gather possessions, Mourad said. Pushed north to the Litani River, up to 35 miles from their homes near Lebanon’s border with Israel, an estimated 1 million people — 19% of the country’s population — are displaced, sheltering in schools, sleeping in cars and camping in tents.
“In winter in Lebanon, it rains,” Mourad explained. The few belongings of people living in tents along the side of the road are often washed away in rainstorms. That is why Mourad has focused on providing people with blankets and pillows. “My parents raised us to give to the poor,” he said. He is also focusing on making and delivering meals to people, as it is the Islamic holy month of Ramadhan. During Ramadhan, observant Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset. Each evening, Mourad distributes the meal to break the fast, called Iftar. He also hands out food for Suhoor, the meal that is eaten before the fast begins again at sun-up.
ton, the Quarter Auction promises an exciting and family friendly afternoon filled with bidding, prizes and community connection. Participants can win donated goods and services from local businesses for just a few quarters per bid while learning more about the foundation’s mission.
At check in, guests can purchase paddles to participate in the fast-paced auction rounds.
Each bid placed with quarters gives attendees a chance to win prizes when their paddle number
“It’s the month when you recalibrate. You might get off the path of God, but in Ramadhan, you are with family, you celebrate and you get back to God,” Mourad said, tearing up. After a moment, he collected himself and said, “They turned what was supposed to be one of the best times of the year for Muslims into hell, honestly.”
Mourad has been working with local social media influencers to help share the situation on the ground in Lebanon. He has also worked alongside organizations, including Amity Foundation, Banin Charity Association and Wish Foundation, to help provide displaced people with necessities.
While the current fighting has led to the displacement, Mourad said the people he sees have grown used to the danger they have faced over the past few years. “I just feel like everybody’s numb here. They’re just waiting to die,” Mourad said. As the father of an 11-year-old and 7-year-old, he said it is “heartbreaking” to watch fathers try to comfort their young children.
Mourad said the narratives he hears from United States politicians and pundits about people in Lebanon hating Americans is not true. “That doesn’t exist, and it upsets me,” he said. Referring to people who spread such narratives, he said, “I don’t think they know who we are, how the Lebanese people are. They love us, to be honest.” He said that he walks around wearing a shirt emblazoned with “USA” and has never faced any negativity around it. “People don’t hate Americans. They hate American foreign policy. I think Americans hate American foreign policy, too. I have friends in the Army. I don’t want to see them die in Iran.”
Mourad insisted that the issue is not a partisan one. “I voted for Trump. All I cared about — that he sold me on — was stopping wars.
is called — making fundraising both interactive and fun.
“This event is a wonderful opportunity to bring our community together in a meaningful and entertaining way,” said Bella Sacharczyk, Massachusetts chapter president for PHF. “Every quarter raised helps us fund research, expand our outreach, and provide critical support to families who face the challenges of hydrocephalus every day.”
Event proceeds will contribute to PHF’s nationwide efforts
Now, we’re seeing the opposite of what we voted for. Why do we not, as Americans, extend compassion to other people? We’re very more similar than different.” He add-
to advance research, raise public awareness, and provide advocacy and support resources for those living with hydrocephalus. The funds also help the foundation assist families coping with the ongoing medical needs that come with repeated brain surgeries and lifelong treatment.
Doors will open early for seating, socializing and vendor browsing. Attendees can find more details about paddle pricing, auction items, and participating vendors on the official
ed, “I just want people to live in peace here.” People can follow Mourad’s humanitarian efforts and see updates from Lebanon at instagram.
Facebook event page for the Pediatric Hydrocephalus Foundation Quarter Auction.
The Pediatric Hydrocephalus Foundation is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of children with hydrocephalus through education, advocacy and funding vital medical research. PHF works closely with families, health care professionals, and policymakers to ensure that every child living with this condition receives the care and support they deserve.
com/hassan.mourad. Donations to Mourad’s crowdfunding campaign can be made at tinyurl.com/ lebanese-aid-alliance-2026. As of press time, he has raised $8,794.
Schematic design phase begins for Barry school project
By Tyler Garnet tgarnet@thereminder.com
CHICOPEE — The Anna E. Barry Elementary School project will move forward now that it has been recently approved by the Massachusetts School Building Authority to enter the schematic design phase.
The decision was announced by Caolo and Bieniek Architects Principal and Project Architect Bert Gardner during the March 18 School Committee meeting.
Chicopee has been working in partnership with MSBA since 2022 on develiping a plan to either renovate the existing building or build a new elementary school. Through the MSBA, the city would be partially reimbursed for the project.
On Feb. 25, MSBA officially moved the project into this next phase, where MSBA and the district will look at possible options to replace the existing school.
Gardner explained that the schematic design phase will allow MSBA to develop a project scope and budget agreement that will eventually go in front of the City Council for approval.
“In this phase, we develop our robust schematic design submission,” Gardner stated. “The intent of this submission is to really define what the project scope is and to put a cost to it, so we have a cost estimator and the owner’s project manager who represents the project ... they have an independent cost estimator and the [group] of them will get our documents, they’ll estimate it, and then we’ll reconcile those to make sure that we’ve got an accurate
estimate for what the project’s going to cost.”
The proposed project would replace the existing Anna E. Barry Elementary School with a new two-story building, serving students in kindergarten through grade 5, plus pre-kindergarten, on an alternative site adjacent to the Szetela Early Childhood Center.
Based on the preliminary design schematic report, the estimated construction cost is approximately $99.4 million, and the estimated total project cost is about $124.3 million. Gardner said he recommends people focus on the total project cost because it includes the construction, design fees, testing, furniture and technology package. He added that he and his team are working with the School Department to reduce the total cost by looking at the overall program and seeing if they can identify ways to shrink the school without impacting the education.
For the proposed site at Szetela, Gardner said they are pursuing eminent domain to get a school access drive into the property without impacting any of the residential neighborhoods on either side of the school.
The site will include a new entrance to the school campus, mitigate school traffic in residential neighborhoods and have a one-way gated ring road that will support full emergency vehicle access.
Gardner talked more about the eminent domain benefits, explaining, “In my mind, one of the big benefits is that right now, Macek Drive has a lot of school
traffic and backup on it, and this will solve that problem, and we won’t be burdening any of the other side streets with traffic for the school, either.”
The proposed school is positioned in an open field west of the existing Szetela School. The parking lot will separate the proposed building from the existing school.
The classroom wings will be organized along an east-west axis to maximize passive solar benefits. The central location also allows landscape buffers between school grounds and abutting neighborhoods.
Szetela will continue to operate while construction takes place. Gardner stated, “Safety is obviously going to be a para-
mount priority for the project.”
Gardner said the general shape of the building and site plan “is constantly being massaged” with no major changes, but his team is constantly adjusting where necessary. He also said that the district will make sure the new school has a proper HVAC system.
The project is also focusing on pedestrian safety, according to Gardner. New sidewalks between Edgewood Avenue and Simonich Street to the north and Sunflower Avenue to the south are proposed. There will also be new high-visibility crosswalks at the school entrance and a pedestrian connection to the Daniel Drive neighborhood.
The proposal also looks at
staff traffic, bus traffic and parent traffic with separate entrances for pre-K and K-5 students. The project calls for separate playgrounds for pre-K and kindergarten and grades 1-5, universal design for inclusion of all students; quiet, less active outdoor spaces; outdoor classrooms, a youth baseball field and a multi-use field.
The schematic design submission is due on June 25. Based on the timeline, the construction and closeout are set to take place between December 2027 and July 2030.
Gardner said he and his team are anticipating the construction to take 20 months and the new school to be open to students by fall 2030.
Chicopee receives grant to transition school buses to electric
By Tyler Garnet
tgarnet@thereminder.com
CHICOPEE — After applying on behalf of Chicopee, Student
Transportation Providers of America received a $2.39 million grant to change some of the city’s school buses over to electric. The money is a part of $11.7
million in funding from the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center for six school districts and private transportation providers as part of the fourth round of the School Bus Deployment program.
According to the state announcement, the initiative supports communities by putting dependable, modern electric school buses on the road, “making transportation more reliable for students and more affordable for school districts.”
Nathan Lecrenski, vice president of Massachusetts operations for Five Star Bus/Tewksbury Transit, said that the money will change some of the school bus fleet over to electric, but not all of it. The number of buses affected was not specified.
“Electrification has a large capital start-up cost that is not able to be realized without grant support,” Lecrenski stated. “This grant was originally applied for in conjunction with a federal grant from the EPA [Environmental Protection Agency] Clean School Bus program. That round of the program was cancelled, but we are glad that the state kept their program in place, allowing us to continue pursuing our goal of providing clean buses to the
Chicopee fleet.”
Lecrenski said electric school buses yield no tailpipe emissions, which means the community and environment are being protected.
“The dirty, smelly exhaust from traditionally-fueled vehicles is not present on these buses,” Lecrenski explained, “Our students, drivers and local community will not have exposure to these harmful chemicals. Electric buses are also much quieter, providing a more comfortable experience for both the riders and community, and this quieter ride also helps to improve student behavior on the bus, as well as help our drivers to better monitor the activities inside the bus.”
He said that Student Transportation Providers of America also found that its drivers love the additional training they gain when electric buses come to its terminals because it helps improve employee satisfaction and retention.
Additionally, Lecrenski said, “These buses can be great educational tools for the students, as they learn how the buses will bring both air quality improvements and reductions to greenhouse gas emissions. The students and their families will see that the district and STA are mak-
ing strides to improve the health, safety and the overall school bus experience for Chicopee Public Schools.”
Currently, the Student Transportation Providers of America is finalizing the grant agreement. It will then order the buses and develop the infrastructure construction timeline.
Lecrenski concluded, “We are looking forward to expanding our electric bus fleet by bringing these buses to Chicopee and are appreciative of the partnership from the district and the community. We hope that we can continue to expand our clean fleet deployment to Chicopee.”
The MassCEC School Bus Deployment program provides both financial support and handson technical planning assistance to ensure a smooth transition for school districts. The program also focuses on supporting highneed and environmental justice communities.
“We’re helping school districts upgrade their buses and give our kids the best,” Gov. Maura Healey said in a statement. “By electrifying school buses, we’re reducing pollution and making transportation more affordable for schools.”
Anna Barry Elementary School
Reminder Publishing file photo
Top row, from left: Members of the Chicopee Police Department gather before the parade. Chicopee High band members practice before the parade. Chicopee Mayor John Vieau. Middle row, from left: Chicopee Police Department led by interim Chief Eric Watson. Holyoke’s Grand Colleen, Jadyn Lois Christie. Citizenship Award Winner - The Miracle League of Western Massachusetts. Bottom row, from left: Knights of Columbus. Holyoke High 2026 MIAA D3 Western Mass champion wrestlers. More photos can be found
thereminder.com.
Reminder Publishing photos by Marc St. Onge
Holyoke takes next step toward building new middle school
By Tyler Garnet tgarnet@thereminder.com
HOLYOKE — Holyoke is a step closer to building a new middle school.
At its March 23 meeting, the School Committee voted to move forward with a statement of interest to the Massachusetts School Building Authority for a core project that would replace the H.B. Lawrence Elementary School with the new school.
The Holyoke City Council and School Committee Subcommittee hosted a joint committee meeting on March 12 to discuss a path toward a new middle school at which it voted unanimously to recommend that the City Council, by April 17, authorize the city to enter into the MSBA process.
Less than a week later, the City Council officially authorized a statement of interest at its March 17 meeting with very little discussion, six days before the School Committee did so.
The decisions do not require any funding right now; they simply put Holyoke in line for MSBA for a new middle school project. The city will not know whether it is accepted into the program until January 2027, but they want to get the ball rolling.
By submitting this statement of interest form, this also does not guarantee that Holyoke will be accepted into the MSBA program or awarded a grant or any other funding commitment from the building authority.
The statement of interest ex-
plains the city’s reasoning for the replacement of or addition to obsolete buildings. It also provides a full range of programs consistent with state and approved local requirements.
Background information in the motion stated that built in 1930, Lawrence School, located at 156 Cabot St., is one of the district’s oldest buildings and doesn’t meet the school’s educational needs due to undersized classrooms, an undersized gymnasium, a lack of a media center, and insufficient space for students with disabilities and students who are English learners.
It also states that the school has outdated building systems, including failing plumbing, failing heat, no air conditioning, limited ventilation, and an absence of accessible public bathrooms, interior doorways, exterior entrances and exits.
The project is financially feasible due to the recently completed Dr. William R. Peck School, which came in significantly under budget. The statement of interest requires approval from the City Council and School Committee. The earliest the new or renovated school can be completed is 2033. The city states that the original goal “was to have a new middle school for every Holyoke student.”
According to the statement of interest memo from Mayor Joshua Garcia, some elementary schools would not be impacted at all if H.B. Lawrence were transformed
into a middle school. However, Lawrence students would need to go to a different school if the site is repurposed. Additionally, the city would need to redraw boundaries to shift Sullivan Middle School to elementary use.
The memo states that the city chose to pursue a Lawrence proposal because Sullivan is still in good shape and was originally intended to be a elementary school in the first place. The city says that improvements have been made to Sullivan over the past decade.
If the statement of interest was not submitted to MSBA by April 17, the city must wait another year to apply.
The total estimated project cost is $103 million, including construction, design and other consultant fees, furniture, equipment,
Former state representative
HOLYOKE — Former state Rep. Aaron Vega, an HCC alum and now the president and CEO of the Western Mass. Economic Development Council, has been appointed to the Holyoke Community College Board of Trustees by Gov. Maura Healey.
Until the end of 2025, Vega, a Holyoke resident and city native, was the director of the Office of Planning and Economic Development for the city of Holyoke. From 2013 to 2021, he represented the 5th Hampden District in
the Massachusetts House of Representatives. He started his career in public service in Holyoke as a two-term city councilor at large. His five-year term runs until March 2031.
No stranger to HCC, Vega is an alum from the class of 1990 and received a distinguished alumni award from the college in 2015.
He is the son of the late Carlos Vega, the Holyoke social activist and co-founder of the nonprofit Nueva Esperanza, himself a 1971 graduate of HCC who was hon-
technology, and construction and project contingency. As stated in the letter from Garcia and interim Superintendent Anthony Soto, if current assumptions on reimbursement hold steady, $47 million is the estimate of Holyoke’s share, and $56 million is the estimate of the state’s share.
If the city applies similar estimates to what was used for bonding and debt service for the current Peck Middle School, the city would have to pay about $3.25 million annually for 30 years, at a 5.5% interest rate. The district would like to offset that cost by $500,000 annually, so the city’s amount would be $2.75 million annually. All the above costs are estimates with many assumptions. The most significant variables
are the cost of construction and MSBA’s effective reimbursement rate. Firmer numbers will be unveiled if the statement of interest is accepted and Holyoke enters the eligibility period.
According to the statement of interest, the city can exit the MSBA process and shift its focus if they so desire.
The MSBA partners with Massachusetts communities to support the design and construction of educationally-appropriate, flexible, sustainable and cost-effective public-school facilities, while also partially reimbursing the project. Since its 2004 inception, MSBA has approved over 1,200 projects and has made over $18.6 billion in reimbursements for school construction projects across the commonwealth.
named to HCC Board of Trustees
ored with a Distinguished Service Award at Commencement in 2004. Vega’s daughter, Courtney Joaquin, graduated from HCC in 2018. Vega’s work for Holyoke as a city councilor and director of economic development has also kept him in close contact with the college through the years.
“HCC is one of my favorite places in Holyoke, absolutely,” said Vega. “My dad was such a proponent of education and public education, and then as a state rep., I served on the higher ed-
ucation committee, supporting HCC, so joining the board just makes sense.”
One of his earliest memories of HCC is tagging along with his mother to class when he was a young child.
“My mom came here, my dad came here, and I came here as a little kid,” he said. “That really stuck with me.”
After HCC, Vega transferred to Keene State University, where he earned bachelor’s degrees in psychology and film studies. He spent the first part of his career as a documentary filmmaker, working for Ken Burns’ Florentine Studios.
He and his wife, Debra, are the owners of Vega Yoga & Movement Arts in Holyoke. Aside from the HCC Board of Trustees, Vega serves on the boards of the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts, Mass Humanities, and New England Public Media, and
is chair of the Carlos Vega Fund for Social Justice. Vega attended his first HCC board meeting on Tuesday, March 24.
The School Committee votes to submit a statement of interest for a new middle school through the MSBA core program.
Photo credit: Holyoke Media
Aaron Vega Reminder Publishing submitted photo
Rocky’s Ace Hardware celebrates 100 years
By Sarah Heinonen sheinonen@thereminder.com
It is a milestone for any company to stay in business for 100 years. It is even more impressive when that business is family-owned and an institution in more than 50 communities.
On March 6, 1926, Rocco “Rocky” Falcone opened a hardware store at the corner of Main and Union streets in Springfield. His great-grandson, John “Johnny” Falcone, director of acquisitions and part of the fourth generation of Falcones operating Rocky’s Ace Hardware, explained that when the Great Depression broke out, the store became “Rocky’s Rental,” because people largely could not afford to buy tools. A rental business was particularly well-suited to the customers’ needs. Over the years, the business continued to evolve to meet the needs of its customers. In the
1950s and 60s, the stores became neighborhood hardware stores where people could buy what they needed and get advice from the employees. By the 1990s, the company had pivoted to a more expansive view of home improvement, with showrooms so people could envision how their project might look.
In the 1970s, Rocky’s became part of the Ace Hardware cooperative of 5,800 independently owned retailers in 50 states and 60 countries. By joining with Ace, Rocky’s was able to take advantage of the buying power of a national entity.
Today, Johnny said, the stores offer convenience, not just in what products they sell, but in how people can access those products, whether it is through the company’s app, website or in-store.
“The journey is not linear anymore,” Brian Bowler, head of marketing and sales, said of how
people shop. Some customers come to the store and then compare prices online. Others start online to get an idea of what they need and then pick it up in the store so they can see what they are buying. Customers who are mid-project can even have items delivered to their home via DoorDash. And when customers are tackling projects, Johnny said the team of up to 850 Rocky’s Ace Hardware employees is always available to help. He said, “We have incredible, smart people on our team.”
Through it all, Rocky’s Ace Hardware has remained a family business. In 1966, Rocky’s son, James “Jim” Falcone, became president and expanded the business to seven stores. Since Jim’s son, Rocco Falcone — named for his grandfather — became president in 1992, the number of stores has exploded to 50, stretching across New England, with
stores also in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Florida and New Jersey. Two additional stores — in Manchester, Connecticut, and Kennebunkport, Maine — will be opening in the year ahead. Rocco owns the company alongside his aunt Clair Falcone. Johnny’s sister, Melissa Falcone, is a marketing specialist and their cousin, Anthony DeLiso is the company’s promotions coordinator.
Johnny said the key to Rocky’s Ace Hardware’s success is putting customers first, satisfying their changing needs and solving problems. For the next 100 years, Johnny said he envisions Rocky’s Ace Hardware will “continue to be who we are at our core; that is helping others,” Johnny said.
Brian agreed. “We don’t sell hardware. We don’t sell nuts and bolts. We help people solve problems,” he said. “We’re rooted in the community. We’re not going anywhere.”
House GOP Leader Jones not running again
By Colin A. Young State House News Service
BOSTON — There will be a new
Republican leader in the Massachusetts House for the first time in about a quarter of a century next year.
House Minority Leader Brad Jones of North Reading announced Monday morning that he will not seek reelection this fall, capping off a 32-year career in the House. Jones has led the Republican caucus in the Democrat-dominated House since 2002.
“Serving as state representative has been a tremendously meaningful part of my life, and while difficult to leave behind, I eagerly look forward to my next chapter. It is a profound and distinct honor for which I will be eternally grateful. Representing the community where I was born and raised has made this even more of a privilege,” Jones said in his announcement.
Republicans hold 25 seats in the 160-seat House of Representatives and have not controlled the chamber since the early 1950s.
In 1994, Jones won a special election to succeed former state Rep. Robert Krekorian of Reading. He had been involved in North Reading town government, and worked as an aide to Krekorian and to Richard Tisei when he was a representative. Jones was sworn in on March 22, 1994, and said he has maintained a perfect voting record in the House since.
“As of last count, it is over 8,180 roll call votes. I believe this is a reflection of my commitment to my constituents,” Jones said.
The North Reading Republican, who also represents Lynnfield, Middleton and part of
Reading, has a near-perfect electoral record as well. State election records show is won 17 of 17 general election contests and 34 out of 35 total elections. The only loss is Jones’s first-listed election: a 1988 contest for Republican Party State Committeeman in his district.
Jones was one of three House Republicans who, in the fall of 1998, met nearly every day at the Capital Coffee Shop on Bowdoin Street discussing caucus leadership -- the “coup in a coffee shop,” as the News Service called the transition from David Peters to Francis Marini as House minority leader.
Marini resigned to don a robe as a Hingham District Court judge in November 2002, and Jones was elected to lead the party’s House contingent without opposition.
“My colleagues in the Republican caucus have afforded me the rare privilege to serve as Minority Leader since 2002, allowing me to be even more impactful in my service,” Jones said Monday. “Working with so many talented and dedicated members, often across the aisle, on a wide range of important issues over the years has been rewarding and inspiring.”
House Speaker Ronald Mariano, who has been in the House for the entirety of Jones’s tenure, said Monday he found the Republican “to be a thoughtful and pragmatic leader who preferred compromise over obstructionism.”
“It was often Brad’s willingness to listen and work through disagreements that led to bipartisan legislation on a number of important issues, even when those disagreements appeared to be irreconcilable,” the Quincy Dem-
ocrat said. “As partisanship and petty politics continue to define the relationship between Democrats and Republicans at the national level, Brad’s commitment to doing things differently here in Massachusetts often bettered the House as an institution — a legacy that he should be proud of.”
Amy Carnevale, chair of the Massachusetts Republican Party, said Jones “will leave an indelible imprint on the body he has represented that will not soon be replaced.”
“While advocating tirelessly for his constituents, Leader Jones represented the Republican Party and the legislative body with character and grace. It has been an honor to work with him as both a member of the State Committee and in the trenches on various campaigns over the years,” party Vice Chair Judy Crocker said.
During his time as minority leader, Jones has sometime drawn grumbles from more conservative or more vocal members of his caucus who would have liked the party to take a harder stance or done more to be a thorn in the side of Democrats.
Jones faced a challenge for the minority leader post in January 2009, when then-Rep. Lew Evangelidis launched a bid for the position. Jones prevailed in a narrow 9-7 vote behind closed doors, and tensions about the contest spilled onto the House floor shortly afterward.
In 2014, after the caucus grew following the Tea Party elections of 2010, Jones faced calls from some of the more vocally conservative members of the caucus to step aside. But it was not until the start of the current session that he faced a declared challenger for
his leadership spot.
Rep. Marc Lombardo of Billerica said in December 2024 that there was “certainly no effort to be a voice of opposition to the Democrats” under Jones and ran for caucus leader himself. Jones told reporters after the caucus vote that 19 representatives had voted for him, while five voted for Lombardo.
The second-in-command of the House GOP is Assistant Minority Leader Kimberly Ferguson of Holden, followed by Second Assistant Minority Leader Paul Frost of Auburn. Rep. David Muradian of Grafton and Rep. David Vieira of Falmouth are both third assistant minority leaders.
Colin Young is the deputy editor for State House News Service and State Affairs Pro Massachusetts. Reach him at colin. young@statehousenews.com.
Lawmakers skeptical about rolling back recreational marijuana law
By Colin A. Young State House News Service
BOSTON — Lawmakers cast a skeptical eye on March 23 towards a ballot initiative that would essentially undo 2016’s vote to legalize marijuana, an idea the one supporter who testified framed as a matter of comfort. Massachusetts voters legalized recreational cannabis through a 2016 ballot measure. A ballot campaign called the Coalition for a Healthy Massachusetts is advancing towards the 2026 ballot a question that would repeal legalization of non-medical marijuana, allow adults 21 or older to possess and gift up to an ounce of marijuana (possession of up to second ounce would carry a civil penalty), make it a civil infraction for people younger than 21 to possess up to two ounces, and allow retail marijuana stores to either apply to
become medical dispensaries or sell their inventory to one. The Cannabis Control Commission would remain, but only to regulate the medical sector.
“Massachusetts is just not as comfortable a place to live in anymore. ... We walk across the common and smell weed. I drive down [Interstate] 93, the car in front of me is a hotbox. It’s everywhere. It’s pervasive,”
Wendy Wakeman, a veteran of Republican Party politics who is working as spokeswoman for the ballot campaign, said at Monday’s hearing. “So, we don’t have a lot of information on the public health effects, on what it does to people who smoke marijuana, in the same way that we have information on people who use alcohol or people who use nicotine. And at the same time, it just makes everyday life a little bit more difficult.”
Wakemen said the question (H 5002) is driven by “parents,
teachers, employers, public health professionals, doctors who have seen the effects of legalized marijuana in a way that is not positive” and broadly pointed to a number of complaints: the dearth of scientific studies on the health effects of regular marijuana use, greater potency in marijuana products, concerns about the availability of marijuana and its impact on impaired driving, and more.
Legislators on the Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions seized on her argument that legalization has not shut down the black market for cannabis and her concerns about untested, black-market products. State Rep. Michael Day pointed out that the ballot question would allow any adult to possess and give to another person up to an ounce of marijuana, regardless of whether they had a medical card to purchase at a dispensary.
“So, are we not setting up a black market with this question?” Day asked.
Wakemen conceded that it was “a great question.” Day said he was worried “that you’re either going to have folks coming in with marijuana, or you’re going to have a line outside the medical marijuana dispensary of folks looking for this to be gifted.”
“That’s not how I look at it, but I see your point,” Wakeman responded.
Marijuana industry supporters with the Committee to Protect Cannabis Regulation testified in opposition to the possible ballot question Monday, often framing the choice as one between a regulated market or an illicit one.
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
Germaine G. Beger
Theodore J. Beauregard
Edward Brayley
Marion J. Grenier
Helen M. Kulig
Peter A. Lizak
Jeannine M. Martell
Irene E. Radomski
EAST LONGMEADOW
Joan M. O’Shaughnessy
HOLYOKE
Eric S. Boruch
Marie E. Cohen
LONGMEADOW
Mary M. Brunton
Michael S. Cohen
Maximilian A. Winkler LUDLOW
Harvey L. Fontaine
SOUTH HADLEY
Emery F. Filarsky Jr.
Thomas Norman Hazen
Kendall M. Johnson-Smith
John P. “Jack” Leonard SPRINGFIELD
Michael Joseph Rejean Belanger Geremia Botta
Corado “Nino” Bracci
Allene Begley Curto Jessie Desmarais
J. Aurora Fleming
Jerald “Jay” Griffin Sr.
Peter B. Hogan
Christian L. Hinshaw
Margaret Kazalis
Adelia Kordzikowski
Richard N. LaPierre
Dianne Evelyn MacLure
Nancy L. Martin
Joan C. Ruane
Jerrilynn C. Weller
Ralph J. Valenti
WILBRAHAM
Thomas F. Landers Jr.
“Massachusetts voters chose a regulated system over prohibition. That system protects consumers, creates jobs and holds businesses accountable. Repealing it will not stop cannabis. It will simply push it back into the illicit market where none of those safeguards exist,” Kristin Rogers, co-founder and CEO of cannabis-infused beverage company Levia, said. “The choice before us is not cannabis or no cannabis. The voters have already answered that. The choice is whether it exists in a regulated system that protects people or an unregulated one that does not.”
State Sen. Paul Feeney asked Wakeman what was driving the cannabis rollback ballot question and whether she personally believes there is any benefit to cannabis use.
“Yes. I believe that the vast majority of people who use cannabis can do so safely,” she said. “That doesn’t mean that we should ignore the fact that a very large portion of the population is affected in a way that’s so negative that it outweighs the benefit of having it freely accessible.”
Feeney followed up by asking, “So the majority of people can use it safely without issue. But you’re saying the ills of a very small minority of people is what outweighs legal use by adults?”
“So as you reflect it back to me, I’ve become more uncomfortable with that statement,” Wakeman said. “I just don’t think we know. The research on cannabis use is scant. We can all agree on that.”
That was the issue state Sen. Cynthia Friedman took with
May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be adored, glorified, loved and preserved throughout the world now and forever. Sacred Heart of Jesus, pray for us. St. Jude, worker of miracles, pray for us. St. Jude, helper of the hopeless, pray for us. Say this prayer nine times a day. By the eighth day your prayer will be answered. It has never been known to fail. Publication must be promised. Thank you St. Jude for granting my petition.
Wakeman’s testimony. The Arlington Democrat wanted to know, if a lack of data and studies is such a problem, “why doesn’t the question then become ‘the state will investigate and do research and, you know, and look into this’ ... why isn’t that your ballot question?”
Wakeman responded, “You’re certainly welcome to do that as a state senator. That’d be a great...” before Friedman asked her original question again.
Wakeman was the only person who testified in support of the question at Monday’s hearing. The committee, which has been tasked by the Legislature with producing a report on each potential ballot question ahead of the Legislature’s May 5 deadline for action to prevent a question from going to voters, also heard from cannabis business operators, a person who said he was sickened by using unregulated vape cartridges, and Jessica Troe at the Mass. Budget & Policy Center.
Troe told the panel that state and local revenues from the legal cannabis industry have largely plateaued, but could rise again as on-site consumption facilities open. Since legal sales began, the state and local governments have collected about $1.9 billion in revenue from cannabis, she said. In 2016, the question to legalize non-medical marijuana passed with about 1.77 million voters or 53.7% in support and about 1.5 million voters or 46.3% opposed. A MassINC poll from April 2024 found that 65% of respondents said legalizing marijuana in 2016 was the “right decision,” while 22% said it was the “wrong decision.”
If the Legislature decides not to take action on the ballot initiative by May 5, petitioners must then collect an additional 12,429 signatures to ensure the questions appear on the ballot.
Colin Young is the deputy editor for State House News Service and State Affairs Pro Massachusetts. Reach him at colin. young@statehousenews.com.
DINING ENTERTAINMENT
Provision’s Picks: Light white wines from Muscadet
As winter wears on and spring seems closer than ever, I like to put aside the robust reds that we tend to favor during the cold months and start exploring warm weather wines ahead of the season’s change. It’s not so much a change of necessity, it’s still quite chilly here in Massachusetts, but rather a sort of optimistic look towards spring and summer just around the corner. Perhaps there is also a degree of palate fatigue from enjoying so much rich food and drink during the winter months. So let us look at something markedly different from the winter’s hearty reds and turn our attention to one of the most refreshing of light white wines: Muscadet.
Muscadet is the westernmost edge of the Loire, surrounding the city of Nantes near the Atlantic coast. The region works with only one grape, Melon de Bour-
HOLYOKE — Wistariahurst Museum has announced that on April 21, it will exhibit, reveal and demonstrate the secret language of the Victorian hand fan. The event will feature an exhibit of beautifully crafted fans and a live demonstration of how “fan
gogne, and specializes in the dry, white and sea food friendly wine that bears the region’s name. This is not to be confused with the similar-sounding Muscat grape that is grown all over the world to produce fruity, floral wines, often of substantial sweetness. Muscadet is a fairly neutral grape with more notes of minerality than of fruit as a result of the local soil’s richness of calcium and potassium. These wines are often richly textured and long lived as a result of a practice known as “lees aging” wherein the wine is rested or aged on the yeast sediment left over from fermentation to create a richer mouthfeel and more savory aromas. Lees aging may last as little as a few months but in top cuvees can go on for as long as five years. The region has historically produced oceans of simple, high acid white wine meant to be paired with seafood,
language” was used to communicate without speaking a word. Although hand fans were a “must-have” fashion accessory for women of the time, they also marked the beginning of women’s determination to free themselves from the oppression of the
however, the tide is turning in Muscadet, and today you can find a number of excellent producers making superb, thirst quenching wines of both enjoyment and terroir. Check out some of our favorites below:
Claude Branger Le Fils des Gras Moutons Muscadet Sevre et Maine ($16.99): Claude Branger and his son Sebastian are meticulous farmers focused on working entirely by hand, lowering yields to improve quality and organic farming (the estate has been certified organic by the EU since 2019). Le Fils des Gras Mouton is produced from a single vineyard containing the familly’s younger vines grown on shallow granitic soil, and the wine spends six to seven months on the lees before bottling. Notes of citrus peel, salt and crushed sea shells. An outstanding value! Jo landron Amphibolite
patriarchy and the overzealous eyes of chaperones during the Victorian era.
Attendees will learn how the simple hand fan helped energize women to pursue greater independence… walking without a male escort, riding a bicycle, re-
Muscadet Sevre et Maines ($23.99): The Landron family have proven to be true stars of the region, a reputation they have surely earned through their meticulous yet minimal intervention winemaking and comittment to biodynamic viticulture. In fact, Jo Landron was an early pioneer of natural farming in the largely conventional region, converting to organic in 1999 and biodynamics in 2011. Amphibolite is a blend of multiple parcels of 35to 40-year-old vines grown on the regions green amphibolite soils, and the wine spends six months on the lees. Slightly riper and more textured than many other entry level Muscadets with notes of citrus, apple and minerality.
Domaine de la Pepiere Muscadet Mise Precoce ($22.99): Widely regarded as one of the top domaines in the region, Pepiere’s wines are not to be missed. Led
designing fashion and demanding control of their everyday lives.
A live demonstration of fan language will be held during the opening reception by historic performer Kandie Carle. What began as a simple cooling device evolved to a symbol of status and
by the Olivier family, the estate was one of the first to focus on single vineyard expressions back in the 80s, fighting an uphill battle for recognition in a region better known for bulk production. This focus on terroir led them to acquire some of the best vineyard sites in what are now the formally recognized cru zones of the region. As a result of this investment in terroir, they are able to source 50% of the fruit for their entry level Muscadet from the higher-tier cru sites with the remainder coming from good vineyards in the greater Muscadet-Sevre-et-Maine appellation. The Muscadet Mise Precoce is a special early bottling produced only in certain vintages to showcase a lighter and more acid driven style of Muscadet. Linear and very bright with savory notes of sea breeze, lemon and crushed rock.
wealth, then became an instrument of change to human relationships and social codes. Fans are a tangible record of art, history, and the ongoing connection among cultures.
The event is on April 21 from 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Holyoke Pride to host screening of acclaimed documentary April 16
HOLYOKE — The Holyoke Pride Committee is presenting a special screening of the acclaimed documentary “1946: The Mistranslation That Shifted Culture,” followed by a live Q&A with the film’s composer, multi-platinum artist and LGBTQIA+ advocate Mary Lambert. The event will take place on April 16, 7 p.m. at the Holyoke Senior Center.
The film explores how the word “homosexual” was first introduced into the Revised Standard Version of the Bible in 1946 — a translation decision that helped shape decades of misunderstanding, stigma and harm toward LGBTQIA+ people. Through the work of researchers, historians and faith leaders, the film traces the origins of this mistranslation and its lasting cul-
tural impact.
The screening is part of Holyoke Pride’s ongoing commitment to fostering inclusive, community-centered programming that encourages dialogue, education and connection across diverse audiences.
Following the screening, attendees will have the opportunity to engage directly with the film’s composer, Lambert during a live Q&A, offering deeper insight into the film’s themes of faith, identity and resilience.
“Bad theology has been used as a justification for discriminating against queer people for generations”, said Lambert, “and the religious trauma for so many of us in the queer community is incredibly painful. I loved composing this music. It was life-changing from the begin-
ning — just learning about this documentary that actually found concrete evidence for what so many of us already knew — that God’s love is universal and is not restricted to straight people, and anything that contradicts that
truth is the work of human error and bigotry. Can’t wait to share it with you all!”
The event also serves as a fundraiser supporting Holyoke Pride’s year-round programming, which continues to grow
in scope and impact each year. Tickets are available on a sliding scale with a $25 minimum. Senior and student tickets are available at a reduced cost. Get tickets at holyokepride.org/1946.
SOUTH
HADLEY VS SOUTHWICK
The South Hadley High Tigers girls basketball team defeated the Southwick Regional Rams 54-34 in the Division 4 girls basketball quarterfinal held March 3 at South Hadley High.
Olivia Athas looks to pass.
A full house on the Thomas Landers court at South Hadley High School.
Kate Phillips goes up for a basket guarded by Madelyn Burkholder.
Grace Sherman completes a layup.
Olivia Athas drives the baseline.
The South Hadley High Tigers girls basketball ream.
Taylor Bullough tosses up a basket with Kate Phillips watching.
South Hadley's Kate Phillips cuts around Southwick's Tamia Ortiz.
Tiger cheerleaders bring excitement to the game.
Ryley McMahon eyes the basket while being guarded by Hazel Olsen
