Seven young performers recently had the chance to perform the works of esteemed composers at the historic Carnegie Hall concert venue in New York City on Jan. 17.
Page 8
WILBRAHAM
HWRSD tackles budget reductions for fiscal year 2027
Putting the budget together is in full swing and the Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School District School Committee is beginning to see what their finalized budget might be looking like with reduced numbers from state aid and estimates that are too high for the towns. Page 9
Workers brave frigid temps to protest ICE actions
By Sarah Heinonen sheinonen@thereminder.com
SPRINGFIELD — Bitterly cold temperatures did not stop more than 150 members of area unions from coming out on Feb. 7 to rally against actions by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Minneapolis, Minnesota and elsewhere under the administration of President Donald Trump.
The “Working People Against ICE” rally on the steps of Springfield City Hall attracted representatives from members of 25 different labor organizations and unions, according to community organizer Joseph Bonilla, who emceed the event.
Bonilla read a list of demands for the state Legislature that included passage state House bill H.1588 and its counterpart in the Senate, S.1122, which would prevent ICE from renting beds in local jails and end legal agreements that allow local and state law enforcement to perform immigration enforcement tasks for ICE. Also, on the list of demands is the mandating of virtual access to Massachusetts court hearings so people can participate without fear of ICE detaining them.
Speaking on behalf of the Western Massachusetts Area Labor Federation, Jeff Jones said, “We’re here today standing in solidarity with our fellow workers in Minneapolis, Chicago, L.A. or wherever the current regime sends its army of occupation.” He described ICE as an “unaccount-
Top row, more than 150 people attend the “Working People Against ICE” rally at Springfield City Hall. Second row, from left: Organizer Joseph Bonilla addresses the crowd. People hold anti-ICE flags and signs. Third row, from left: People hold signs protesting deportations. State Sen. Jake Oliveira and School Committee member Gumersindo Gomez at the anti-ICE rally.
Reminder Publishing photos by Sarah Heinonen
Please email your community listings to: dhackett@thereminder.com Items are printed on a space available basis.
EAST LONGMEADOW
EAST LONGMEADOW PUBLIC LIBRARY
The following events are organized by the East Longmeadow Public Library, 60 Center Square. For more information or to register, head to eastlongmeadowlibrary.org or call 413-525-5420.
Creative Crayon Creations — Tuesday, Feb. 17 at 4:30 p.m. For ages 6 and up.
• Winter Olympic Day — Wednesday, Feb. 18. Drop-in during the day.
• Special Storyime Night with Mrs. O and Boomer — Wednesday, Feb. 18 at 6 p.m. Winter Art — Friday, Feb. 20 at 10 a.m.
TOWN EVENTS
PLEASANT VIEW SENIOR CENTER
The following events will be hosted at the Pleasant View Senior Center, 328 North Main St. For more information or to register, call 413-5255436.
• Living with Hip and Knee Arthritis — Friday, Feb. 20 at 10:30 a.m. Join Dr. Ben Snyder of the Mercy Medical Center to hear about strategies to better live with arthritis and keep arthritis from getting worse.
HAMPDEN
HAMPDEN SENIOR CENTER
The following events are organized by the Hampden Senior Center, 104 Allen St. For more information or to register for programs, call 413-5665588.
Diamond Dotz, Anyone?! — Tuesday, Feb. 17 from 1-3 p.m. Cost is $5 per person, paid when you sign up. Pre-registration is required.
• Memory Café: Ukulele with Amy — Friday, Feb. 20 at 10:15 a.m.
LONGMEADOW
RICHARD SALTER STORRS LIBRARY
www.TheReminder.com
The following events take place at the Richard Salter Storrs Library, 593 Longmeadow St. For more information or to register for programs, call 413-565-4181, or head to longmeadowlibrary.org.
Youth programs: Mario Obstacle Course — Tuesday, Feb. 17, 3:30-4:15 p.m. Use different materials help build an obstacle course and try to navigate the Mario car around the room.
• Music with Mr. Liam — Wednesday, Feb. 18, 9:30-10:15 a.m. Join us for an energetic show filled with drums, the ukulele, puppets, and comedy as Mr. Liam (Liam Hurley) plays old favorites and silly parodies! Bananas for Books Club (kindergarten and first grade)
— Wednesday, February 18, 3:30-4 p.m. This month’s book selection is “Wombats Go Wild for Words” by Beth Ferry and Lori Nichols.
Art Adventures: Vincent Van Gogh — Thursday, Feb. 19, 3:30-4 p.m. Learn about Vincent Van Gogh and make your own art.
Miss Spider’s Web Hunt — Friday, Feb. 20, 2-4 p.m. Come find all the bugs hidden in Miss
Spider’s web.
Adult programs: Cookbook Club — Tuesday, Feb. 17, 1-2:30 p.m.
• This month’s selection: Diane Kochilas “Musically Married” Concert with Peter & Laura Hicks — Tuesday, Feb. 17, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Great Decisions with Vinnie Ferraro: Trump Tariffs and the Future of the World Economy — Wednesday, Feb. 18, 4:306 p.m.
LONGMEADOW ADULT CENTER
The following programs are organized by the Longmeadow Adult Center, located at 211 Maple Road For more information or to sign up for programs, call 413-565-4160 option 1.
Patrick Henry Talk — Tuesday, Feb. 17 at 6 p.m.
• Movie Afternoon: “I’m Still Here” — Thursday, Feb. 19 at 1:30 p.m.
WILBRAHAM
WILBRAHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY
The following programs take place at the Wilbraham Public Library, lo-
cated at 25 Crane Park Drive. For more information or to sign up for programs, head to wilbrahamlibrary. org or call 413-596-6141.
• Teen Glow-in-the-Dark Paint Party — Tuesday, Feb. 17 from 4-5:30 p.m. Teens will learn to paint “Neon Jellyfish” with glowin-the-dark paint and step-bystep instruction from Erin of Paint Sip Fun. Paint Sip Fun — Tuesday, Feb. 17 from 6:30-8 p.m. Learn how to paint “Cardinal in Birch Forest” with instruction from Erin of Paint Sip Fun. This program is for adults 18 and up and registration is required.
• Stuffed Animal Sleepover — Drop-Off: Thursday, Feb. 19 from 3:15-4 p.m. Pick-Up: Friday, Feb. 20 from 10:00-10:45 a.m.
Adult Crafternoon: Lavender Salt Scrub — Friday, Feb. 20 from 2-3:30 p.m.
• Drop-In Tech Help with WMA Students Friday, Feb. 20 from 3:30-5 p.m. Students from the Wilbraham & Monson Academy Community Service Team will be at the library to assist with technology-related questions. Reverse Coloring — Saturday, Feb. 21 from 10 a.m. to noon.
Local schools receive Financial Education Grant funding
BOSTON — The State Trea-
surer’s Office of Economic Empowerment, in partnership with the Division of Banks and the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation, announced the 2025-2026 recipients of the Financial Education Innovation Fund Grant.
Following a competitive application process that concluded in November, the state agencies awarded grants to 92 schools, totaling $383,420. This funding will allow Massachusetts high schools and special education
programs to host financial education fairs, known as Credit for Life Fairs, for their students.
Minnechaug Regional High School received $3,200 and Willie Ross School for the Deaf received $3,700.
Of the 92 recipient schools, 24 received funding as Seed Applicants and will host fairs for the first time.
For the third year, participating schools that have a large population of low-to-moderate income students will receive an additional $500. Twenty-five schools re-
ceived this additional funding to bring much-needed financial education to students in the state’s most vulnerable communities.
“Credit for Life Fairs empower high school students with the tools they need to succeed,” said State Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg. “This year, we are supporting a record number of schools, helping young adults prepare to make informed financial decisions as they approach graduation and adulthood.”
“The Division of Banks is proud to support this initiative
with another round of funding,” said Mary Gallagher, Commissioner of Banks. “With handson, high-quality lessons offered at these fairs, students can learn foundational financial management skills they can use into adulthood.”
“It is important for high school students to understand how to manage their personal finances so they can be successful in life,” said Layla R. D’Emilia, Undersecretary of the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation. “Funding Credit for
Life Fairs through these grants provides a fun, engaging and productive environment for students to learn fiscal responsibility.”
Since 2015, over 65,000 Massachusetts students have attended Credit for Life Fairs. The Financial Education Innovation Fund Grant was established as an ongoing effort to strengthen access to financial literacy throughout Massachusetts. This financial education program is funded by the Division of Banks through a settlement over alleged unlawful lending practices.
able army” that is “targeting virtually everyone who is not white and English speaking.” Like many people who spoke, he called for the abolition of ICE and defunding of Homeland Security. “If the Democratic party cannot deliver, they need to get out of the way.”
Between speeches, the crowd was led in protest chants and songs, including one in which the lyrics of “Hit the Road Jack,” by Ray Charles, were changed to “Hit the road, ICE, and don’t you come back no more, no more, no more, no more.”
Adrien, who only wanted to give their first name, is a member of SEIU Local 509 and a co-chair of River Valley Democratic Socialists of America. They told the crowd, “We just watched two U.S. citizens — unarmed, nonviolent — murdered in the street and they tried to tell us that what we saw wasn’t true.”
Adrien shared a quote by Upton Sinclair: “It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his salary depends on his not understanding it.” They went on to say, “We are living in a system in which we are living to work so that we are too tired to stand up for what’s right, too tired to see what’s going on behind the scenes and the systems in place that keep us down.” They added, “The same systems that have been locking up Black and brown U.S. citizens are the same systems locking up immigrants.”
Massachusetts Nurses Association member Claire Shillington called ICE “a threat to public health.” She said that the nursing community was mourning Alex Pretti, the Veterans’ Administration intensive care nurse who was killed by ICE agents in Minneapolis on Jan. 24, as well as “the people not receiving the same attention.” Like others, she called for the abolition of ICE and urged elected officials to “do whatever is necessary to hold the Trump administration accountable for its
ongoing violation of our constitutional and human rights.”
Jesse Lederman, regional director for U.S. Sen. Ed Markey and former Springfield city councilor, read a statement from the senator at the rally. “Trump may be trying to break our backs, but no one knows how to fight better than our unions,” Markey’s statement read. “And here in Massachusetts,” he said, “We know immigrants built our nation. We know what a true democracy looks like because we created it here 250 years ago.”
Markey stated that Trump’s homeland security adviser, Stephen Miller, had conducted a “reign of terror” and called for the abolition of ICE and the end of qualified immunity. “Qualified immunity prevents Renee Good and Alex Pretti’s families from suing the men who murdered their loved ones, and it must end,” Lederman read.
Emphasizing that ICE raids and detentions are not only an issue on other parts of the country, Bonilla shared the story of Juan David, “a Springfield father with no criminal record and a survivor of labor trafficking. He was detained by ICE at a December 2025 immigration check-in.
Bonilla explained that David had been granted T-nonimmigrant status, a legal temporary immigration status enabling certain victims of severe human trafficking to remain in the United States. Despite this, an immigration judge denied his ability to remain in the state. David now faces potential deportation. Bonilla said ICE has been targeting David’s family and that his wife was detained for months early last year after a “brutal arrest.”
Bonilla urged people to reach out to members of the Massachusetts congressional delegation to secure an emergency stay of removal for David, so he is not deported before his legal case is decided. “Our neighbor is just as deserving of the dignity and respect that we all hold. So, show up, speak out and call today,” he told the protesters.
“What’s happening in this country in unconscionable,” said
Above, people hold signs protesting deportations. At right, a protestor stands with a full-sized American flag and an anti-ICE sign.
state Sen. Jake Oliviera. He said people are afraid to walk their children to school, go to hospitals or even leave their homes because of ICE raids.” He said ICE was “terrifying” the people and families in the United States. He added that he had attended the rally because, “People need to come out into the streets.”
Agawam City Councilor Tom Hendrickson, who is running against state Rep. Nicholas Boldyga, attended the rally. He said his opponent introduced legislation to require local and state law enforcement to cooperate with ICE. “I think he’s totally wrong about that,” Hendrickson said.
“When it comes to immigration policy, I’m informed by my own family,” said Hendrickson. “My grandparents immigrated here in the mid-20th century, and I often think about how I would have wanted them to be treated when they came here. Is it with the support and the resources and the tools that people need to live
the American dream — a pathway to citizenship; a good-paying job; a safe, affordable place to live? Or is it with the chaos and cruelty that we have seen in Minneapolis and throughout the country under this administration?” Hendrickson added, “So, to me it’s clear. I believe in the humanity of all people and the dignity of all people and my opponent disagrees.”
Among the last people to speak were representatives of Luce, the Immigrant Justice Network of Massachusetts. They shared information on how to “keep your own communities safe” from ICE raids. Luce operates a hotline people can call when they spot ICE in their area. She urged people to donate money, volunteer to answer the multi-language hotline or become a “verifier.”
Reminder Publishing photos by Sarah Heinonen
Ashe looks ahead to 2026, reflects on 2025
By Peter Tuohy ptuohy@thereminder.com
LONGMEADOW — State Rep. Brian Ashe spoke on what he is carrying into 2026, while taking a look back on what he accomplished in 2025.
Ashe detailed an act to regulate pet day care facilities in cities and towns named Ollie’s Law. Although it passed before 2025, work is still being done into 2026 to ensure regulations are still on track.
Ashe said Ollie was the name of a dog who was boarded in an East Longmeadow doggy day care center and mauled by 10 other dogs in 2020, succumbing to his injuries two months later at the age of nine months.
Ollie’s owner, Amy Baxter, said that the center was unlicensed and did not bring Ollie to the vet. Instead, she received a phone call later that said her dog was injured in a fight. Ashe said Ollie needed 270 stitches and multiple surgeries.
Ashe said his wife saw the story on Facebook and encouraged him to reach out. He said that he discovered there were zero regulations on doggy day cares and that someone could open one without knowing how they worked.
“I set up a coalition and put it together,” Ashe said. “It took two sessions but it passed.”
Ashe said the bill adds basic guidelines to day cares, such as dog to staff ratio. He said that East Longmeadow Animal Hospital was right next door, but the employee couldn’t bring Ollie because of the other dogs.
Ashe said that since the bill has passed, there’s a working group that has to make recommendations to the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources.
“Keeping an eye on what’s going on there, making sure that the original intent of the law is kept and it doesn’t go off,” Ashe said. “There’s been a couple issues where I’ve heard that they might be voting to change the staff to dog ratio, so little things like that. We want to make sure it stays on track.”
Ashe said that Baxter still lives in town and is on the commission, so he keeps in touch to make sure the law stays true to the original intent. Ashe also discussed being in the middle of an act relative to crumbling concrete foundations.
He said that foundations with
pyrite or pyrrhotite in the concrete mix have affected homes across 51 towns because if there’s a crack that gets damp, the concrete disintegrates and turns to powder.
“People’s foundations are literally collapsing underneath them,” Ashe said. “The only thing you can do, if it is impacted all around, is they have to raise the house, remove the old foundation, pour new foundation and put it back.”
He said to fix something like this is a couple hundred thousand dollars on the average house, and insurance doesn’t cover it right now. Ashe is creating a crumbling concrete assistance fund, administered by the secretary of housing and living communities, to provide financial assistance to owners of property for the replacement of concrete foundations.
“We don’t want this to be something that’s going to ruin a family or two,” Ashe said. “It could ruin a neighborhood too, because if it’s your house and you don’t have the money to fix it, you just let it go. Now there’s an abandoned house, and it’s not good for property values, not good for anyone.”
Ashe said the act is on the step of figuring out how much money to put in a pool and how to get that money. He said he isn’t in favor of making a small tax, such as a $12 homeowners tax, but wants to do something to make sure it moves forward.
“It looks like it’s just going to keep expanding to more and more homes and more towns are going to realize ‘oh, we have that too,’” Ashe said. “Some people avoid going to the doctor, because if they go, they’ll find out they’re sick. So I think there’s some people like that. They don’t want to look at the house, because if it is, then they might have to do something. So we’re trying to get it easier for people to do it.”
Going into 2026, Ashe said he would like to do work related to industries not having the backfill like they used to. He said there are less and less doctors, nurses, plumbers, electricians and carpenters going into the trade. He added that there needs to be a way to incentivise young people to go into the work and stay in the area.
“Right now, we’re just seeing the tip of it,” Ashe said. “If we don’t do anything to address it, and I don’t just mean Massachusetts or around the country, we’re
going to have these huge gaps where people are, one, they’re not going to be able to find people to do the work, and two, if they do find them, they might either have to wait forever or pay a crazy fee because there’s only four plumbers.”
Ashe said a challenge going into the year is the uncertainty from the federal government, such as how budgeting things out may work. He said that they’re in a good position due to a balanced budget and a rainy day fund, but not getting a certain amount of money in federal funding could have a major impact.
“If we had to dip into the stabilization fund, yeah we could pay for it, but if our stabilization fund goes down, then our bond rating goes down, which means we’re borrowing money,” Ashe said. “We’re paying a higher rate. Which means everybody in Massachusetts is paying more money for different things.”
He also said he’s working to keep the people happy and bring more people in, such as through education and public safety. He noted the new high school in East Longmeadow and the new middle school in Longmeadow are things that cost money, but it’s all about quality of life.
“I think when we do those, it shows that we do care about that people that live in these communities,” Ashe said. “We care about the young people coming in, that they’re going to get a good education and hopefully appreciate it, stay and school around here, work and live around here and raise a family around here.”
State Rep. Brian Ashe. Reminder Publishing file photo
Healey to offer economic development bill
By Sam Drysdale State House News Service
BOSTON — Midway through the two-year session and as data points to a slow job market in Massachusetts. Gov. Maura Healey plans to file an economic development bill “at some point,” she said on Feb. 2, noting she has already put two bills before the Legislature to propel local economies.
Governors often file economic development or jobs bills that lawmakers entertain in the months leading up to elections. As the last session came to a close, Healey and lawmakers in 2024 agreed on a law committing state financial support to the life sciences and climate technology industries, expanding the mission of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center and paving the way for a professional soccer stadium in Everett.
Asked by the News Service
On Feb. 2 what her plans were for a jobs bill, Healey pointed to bills she’s already filed: a $2.5 billion proposal (H 4693) to use bonding to upgrade infrastructure at higher education campuses, dubbed the BRIGHT Act; and a research-and-education based “DRIVE Act” (H 4375) that would infuse $400 million into higher education, research and biopharma development.
“Pending right now with the Legislature we’ve got the BRIGHT Act, that’s going to bring tens of thousands of jobs online in construction to build infrastructure on our college campuses. And then we also have the DRIVE Act, which is going to fund a lot of positions and help drive the job growth created in our life sciences and biotech industries. Those are construction jobs, retail jobs, architecture, in addition to scientific jobs as well,” Healey said.
Healey filed the higher ed infrastructure bill over a year ago,
last January, and the science funding bill in July.
The BRIGHT Act passed the House in November and now is in Senate Ways and Means. It received a 13-0 favorable recommendation from the Joint Committee on Higher Education. The DRIVE Act has not emerged from the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies, where House Chair of the Committee Rep. Carole Fiola pointed to other needs outside of higher education and biotech when asked about the bill in the fall. “There are a lot of important pressing needs: energy costs, all these federal implications of federal cutbacks. So, we’re looking at all of it,” Fiola said in September. The committee has until March 16 to make a recommendation on the bill.
Pressed on whether those two bills made up her economic agenda, Healey said, “No, no no. I’m just saying that that’s already stuff that we’ve done ... In terms of additional bills around workforce and job creation, we’re evaluating that now, but I imagine that we’ll have more to announce.”
She added, “I do expect we’ll file an economic development bill at some point.”
The governor said last week that she is leaning on the cochairs of her Competitiveness Council: Dan Kenary, president & co-founder of the Harpoon Brewery and board member of Associated Industries of Massachusetts, and Mark Nunnelly, chairman of Toolbox Holdings and Foundation and former managing director of Bain Capital.
“I think you should take comfort knowing that Dan and Mark are at the helm, leading that with an array of stakeholders, and I’ve asked for immediate feedback,” Healey said at an AIM conference last week.
Data released Jan. 23 shows Massachusetts’ job market con-
tinued to move slowly in December, with modest payroll growth paired with rising unemployment and a shrinking labor force.
Preliminary figures from the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development show payroll jobs increased by 4,600 in December, following similar gains in October and November. While those gains add up to about 13,500 jobs since September, they point to steady but subdued hiring activity.
At the same time, the unemployment rate edged up to 4.8% in December, from 4.7% in November. The increase came alongside a decline in labor force participation, which slipped to 66.5%. The data showed 9,300 fewer individuals were employed.
The state reported that fewer people were working across private and nonprofit jobs, self-employment and entrepreneurship, with some workers likely leaving the workforce altogether due to retirement or other factors.
The mixed signals reinforce a picture of a labor market that is stable but sluggish.
While employers added jobs in December, particularly in leisure and hospitality, health care and education, and manufacturing, the overall pool of workers continued to shrink. That combination — modest job gains paired with fewer people working and a higher jobless rate — suggests employers remain cautious about expanding payrolls, even as layoffs remain limited.
As in previous months, the data points less to a downturn than to a prolonged period of slow movement. Hiring continues at a restrained pace, unemployment has inched higher, and labor force participation has softened, underscoring ongoing headwinds for jobseekers in Massachusetts as the state enters the new year.
“I was looking at your recent survey,” Healey said during her
business address last week to AIM. “I think 70% of you said your business was doing well, but only 46% were confident in the economy, right? And so, you know, we’re very mindful of the vibe out there.”
Healey called it “a hard time for people to plan, for people to deploy capital and make investments.”
“The reality is, we face a lot of headwinds,” the governor told business executives at the event in Newton. “We have the last three years, and you guys have been living it since we came out of COVID. We are focused on lowering costs, and we’re trying to do that across the areas that I know matter the most to all of you.”
Healey also told the News Service on Feb. 2 while discussing a possible jobs bill that, “I’ve also been very focused on the things that help attract talent and bring people for jobs to Massachusetts and keep them here for jobs. That’s why the investments in housing are so important. Building more; building faster.”
Asked whether she planned to file any additional housing legislation, Healey said she’s focused on laws that are on the books.
“Well, we filed a massive housing bill a few years ago, now we’re in the process of implementing that, along with the changes that we’ve made from the various commissions that I’ve set up and the reports coming back,” she said.
She later added, “If there are more things to do, we will certainly be filing whatever legislation is necessary. But what I want people to focus on right now is implementing what’s already out there.”
Sam Drysdale and is a reporter for State House News Service and State Affairs Pro. Reach her at sdrysdale@statehousenews.com.
College-town rep says e-textbooks warrant more research
By Katie Castellani State House News Service
BOSTON — Lawmakers are seeking to understand how electronic textbooks are used as college students are increasingly relying on online coursework and struggling to afford their materials.
A state Rep. Mindy Domb resolve (H 559) would create a commission to assess the effects of electronic textbooks on students, with a focus on benefits, costs, resale limits, the single-user access model and contracts that electronic textbook producers have with colleges and universities, including any quotas an institution or students must meet. The commission would have 18 months after the bill has passed to file a report.
“This is an emerging issue,” Domb (D-Amherst) said on Feb. 4 while testifying in support of her bill during a Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure hearing. She said student budgets are hampered by textbook costs. In order to afford books and course materials, 11% of students reported skipping meals and 25% said they worked extra hours, according to a 2024 report by the Education Data Initiative. Also, 65% of students skipped buying textbooks because they were
too expensive.
“This burden on college students is caused by a broken textbook market, especially when a class requires the purchasing of online materials to access homework and tests,” Luke Van Horn, a student at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, said during the hearing.
Van Horn said he spent $436.45 on course materials this year, much of which is online and includes access codes to materials that expire at the end of a semester.
Committee co-chair Sen. Pavel Payano said the bill stuck out to him among other bills discussed during the hearing because he remembers electronic textbooks were beginning to emerge when
he was in school.
“It affects a lot of folks because if you’re spending $75 to $100 per book, and if you’re taking five classes, that’s 500 bucks, right there,” Payano said. “It’s one we’ll definitely be looking into more.”
Access codes prevent students from referring back to their
old coursework or reselling materials to recoup some of their costs, Domb said, while sitting in front of a stack of her old college textbooks. “Sometimes I want to look back at something, I want to remember, something that I read
QUINNIPIAC UNIVERSITY DEAN’S LIST
HAMDEN, CONNECTICUT — The following area students were named to the dean’s list for the fall 2025 semester at Quinnipiac University: Joshua Reilly and Gabriel Martin of East Longmeadow; Gia Caputo of Hampden; Nathaniel Brody, Braden Costas, Madeleine Davis, Frank Langone, Sophia Nowak, Fiona Ryan and Quinn St. Pierre of Longmeadow; and Sydney Beebe, Samantha Moore, Saje Stewart and Kevin Tessicini of Wilbraham. See E-TEXTBOOKS on page 11
Classified Account Managers: Roxanne Miller-Longtin, Evan Marcyoniak, Shannon Spada
Pleasant View holds Patriots presentation ahead of Super Bowl
By Peter Tuohy ptuohy@thereminder.com
EAST LONGMEADOW — Patrons of East Longmeadow’s Pleasant View Senior Center were ready to cheer on the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl.
As the Patriots geared up to take on the Seattle Seahawks on Feb. 8, former NFL and CBS sports writer Marty Gitlin hosted his presentation “From Doormats to Dynasty: A Patriots Celebration” at the senior center on Feb. 3, sponsored by Attorney Dave Carlson, Integra Home Health and Comfort Keepers
During his time as a reporter, Gitlin never got the chance to cover the Patriots dynasty. Instead, he was covering the Cleveland Browns.
Gitlin’s presentation featured the entire team’s history, starting back when the organization was known as the Boston Patriots and playing in the American Football League. The National Football League and American
EAST LONGMEADOW —
Nearly 200 eighth graders gathered in the cafeteria at Birchland Park Middle School on Jan. 22 for a civics lesson provided by Assistant District Attorney Elizabeth Simonian.
The civics lesson is a part of the Adopt-a-Class program. Each year, the Hampden District Attorney’s Office adopts an eighthgrade class from three selected schools. Birchland Park Middle School’s eighth-grade class is one of those selected for the 20252026 school year.
The civics lesson is the second of three visits the Hampden District Attorney’s Office will make to the school. The purpose of the visit is to discuss civics and gain more knowledge on the Bill of
Football League combined prior to the 1970 season, creating the NFL we know today. The team changed their name to represent New England in 1971 after moving out of Boston and permanently residing in Foxborough.
Throughout the presentation, Gitlin asked Patriots trivia questions in between videos detailing specific Patriots Hall of Famers, such as Gino Cappelletti, John Hannah, Steve Grogan and Drew Bledsoe.
Another video showed the Patriots’ 1976 wild card loss against the Oakland Raiders, after Ray Hamilton received a controversial roughing the passer call. Instead of an incompletion on third down, the call put the Raiders in Patriots territory and led them to score the game winning touchdown. The Raiders ended up winning the 1977 Super Bowl and the Patriots didn’t get another shot until 1985.
Other videos featured Bledsoe losing his position to Tom Brady after being injured in 2001, Otis
Rights, supporting what the students are currently learning in their social studies classes.
Simonian shared a presentation that covered the first 10 amendments — aside from the 7th and 10th, as those aren’t worked with in law — explaining what the amendment is and providing some examples.
She then gave the students some made-up scenarios, asking if they agree with the statement and what amendment applies to it.
Simonian also raised several discussion questions, giving students the opportunity to share their opinions — thanks to the first amendment: freedom of speech, she noted.
“Eighth grade is a key time for students to start learning how civ-
Smith’s game winning fumble return in the 1996 AFC Championship, Adam Vinatieri kicking the game winning field goal in the 2004 Super Bowl and Brady’s comeback win against the Atlanta Falcons in the 2017 Super Bowl.
Gitlin also discussed the injury of Darryl Stingley, a wide reciever for the Patriots. During a preseason game on Aug. 12, 1978, Raiders’ Jack Tatum led a hard hit on Stingley, which broke his fourth and fifth vertebrae. The hit ended Stingley’s career and left him paralysed from the chest down until his death in 2007.
Gitlin said what bothers him more than anything was the aftermath of the hit because Tatum never contacted or apologized directly to Stingley. In a video Gitlin showed, Tatum said “I’m sorry he got hurt, but I will never apologize for the way I play football.”
The presentation ended with a video of the Patriots’ win against the Denver Broncos on Jan. 25, securing a spot in their first Super Bowl appearance since 2019.
ics fits into their lives,” said District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni. “Through the Adopt-a-Class program, we’re able to talk with students in a way that’s engaging and easy to understand, answer their questions, and help them see how the Constitution and their rights apply to real situations. These lessons are about giving young people the tools and confidence to be informed, involved members of the community.”
At the end of the hour-long presentation, Community Safety & Outreach Deputy Director Gina Anselmo explained that the next and final visit to the school will be an interactive trial, where students will be assigned different roles to play, ranging from witnesses to prosecutors.
After the presentation concluded, Gitlin opened the floor to ques-
tions, comments and general sports discussion.
The program will conclude with selected classes spending half a day touring the Hampden
County Hall of Justice as invited guests of the district attorney.
Assistant District Attorney Elizabeth Simonian recently led a civics presentation for eighth graders at Birchland Park Middle School. Reminder Publishing submitted photo
Marty Gitlin begins his presentation on the New England Patriots’ history.
Reminder Publishing photo by Peter Tuohy
Longmeadow appoints members to future building use task force
By Peter Tuohy ptuohy@thereminder.com
LONGMEADOW — With the Longmeadow future building use task force now appointed, work will soon begin to find a use for Town Hall, Old Town Hall and Community House. Voted in by the Select Board were Paul Dunkerley, Sara Gregg, Ryan McCollum, Earl Godfrey, Zach Kushner, Leonard Shaker and David Lipke.
The process goes back to December 2025, when the task force was being developed with the purpose of evaluating, envisioning and recommending the future use of the buildings. Town Manager Lyn Simmons said the task force will hopefully begin work at the end of February, and the Select Board initially said that work will ideally wrap up between December 2026 and February 2027.
The goal is to ensure each building will be used in a manner that best serves the community, reflects long-term municipal priorities and preserves or enhances the town’s cultural, historical and economic vitality.
“That will guide a lot of the work in the coming years,” Simmons said. “Those three buildings are either fully vacant or very underutilized … they’ll fully dive in and decide what the next life is for those three parcels.”
Interviews for the task force began in the Select Board meeting on Jan. 20. Dunkerley, who received five votes from the Select Board, said what captured his attention was the emotion each building carries in the town.
“My kids participated in activities in the Community House, we obviously all go to vote there. It’s kind of an iconic building, as is the Town Hall,” Dunkerley said. “I think it’s really important that we honor the history of those buildings while at the same time, take a look at the unmet needs in town, or perhaps the anticipated future needs, and find a way to utilize those buildings and spaces in a way that compliments what we’re already doing and what we’re trying to do.”
Dunkerley added that it’s important the task force has an opportunity to hear from residents as well, and to make a very strong and informed recommendation to the Select Board in terms of what can be done.
Kushner said he applied because it is an opportunity to be involved in the community and make a difference. He has a background in construction and development and could understand the project from a builder and developer’s perspective.
“What’s interesting about these projects is, these buildings, we’re trying to evaluate them to see what their next potential use could be,” Kushner said. “As we all know with the changing building codes and trying to modernize and find potential new uses for these properties, there’s a massive component of feasibility and site logistics, ADA accessibility. I think some of the value of that, I could provide.”
Gregg said the opportunity came across while she was working on a mixed-use redevelopment of the Nathan Hale School, an elementary school in Enfield.
“I love research, I love doing the supportive work that it takes to get projects going,” Gregg said. “On a personal level, I love old buildings. When I was 19, my
Longmeadow to get to Bright Nights, and I was like, ‘I want to live there.’ We drove past Center School and the Community House, and I find them so beautiful, but also, I want future generations to find them beautiful and useful as well.”
Gregg said she has two small children and is thinking of their uses for it, along with what would make them love Longmeadow the way she does.
Godfrey said he has a deep and abiding interest in Longmeadow that extends well beyond 70 years. He’s been involved in aspects of Longmeadow community living, from election work to shelter committee.
He said what he does is get out into Longmeadow and speak to people, such as the military and veteran community. He said he was urged to apply.
“I’m not a builder, I’m not an estimator, I could probably go out and sell something to somebody if I put my mind to it,” Godfrey said. “The ones you want to sell on this and the ones you want to satisfy are the people who don’t do all of these other things, and I think that’s where I come in. I can help people understand some of the difficult decisions that are gonna have to be made about this … I know what the interests are out there that span the entire community, and I have an interest in protecting that as well.”
Shaker said he’s been in town for 36 years and is a representa-
tive of the Longmeadow Historical Society. He said him and other board members have a vested interest in preserving and maintaining as much of Longmeadow history as possible.
“We’re very familiar with the buildings,” Shaker said. “We’ve done research on the buildings, we’ve written on the buildings, it’s something we’re interested in from a historic perspective. I can’t bring a lot of financial expertise, but we’re willing to do research on the options and can provide a historic perspective and maintenance of Longmeadow history, which we feel is extremely important.”
McCollum said this lines up well with his experience as a project manager for Springfield in the Department of Planning and Economic Development. He also had the opportunity to be director for the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development under former Gov. Deval Patrick.
“Currently, as a consultant, one of the buckets I have where I help folks is, I help developers and different municipalities across the state navigate boards, like you all, and neighborhoods to have their projects come to fruition,” McCollum said.
Lipke said he’s been very engaged in the town for about
12 years but has never volunteered for a committee. When he saw this opportunity, he said it seemed like the time was right to get involved.
“I want to make sure that we respect what makes Longmeadow so special, a place that I want to continue to raise my kids and see them grow up, and to make it a place where, you know, maybe one day they can return to,” Lipke said. “Part of that is making prudent financial decisions for the town that respect who we are, who we have been and who we aspire to be.”
Longmeadow’s Community House.
Reminder Publishing file photo
LONGMEADOW
Local piano students perform at Carnegie Hall
By Peter Tuohy ptuohy@thereminder.com
WEST SPRINGFIELD — Seven young performers recently had the chance to perform the works of esteemed composers at the historic Carnegie Hall concert venue in New York City on Jan. 17.
Under the instruction of Ellen Buoniconti from The Music Cellar in West Springfield, Longmeadow students Clara Choi, Sebastian Rodriguez, Nicholas Rodriguez and LeMei Mao, West Springfield students Kristopher Villaruel and Keli-Genevieve Purugganan, and Holyoke’s Kevin Meara performed solo piano pieces at Carnegie Hall.
The musicians competed in the Crescendo International Music Competition and earned high scores in the first round, qualifying them for the opportunity to perform at Carnegie Hall. The students competed against musicians from the United States, along with Australia, Germany, Mongolia, China, Austria, Argentina, Korea, Canada, Singapore, Japan, Israel, Turkey, France, England, Brazil and Italy.
The Crescendo International Music Competition website states, “our competitions allow performers to maximize their potential, and serve as a professional setting for aspiring musicians
to showcase their talents at prestigious concert halls worldwide. Performers are also presented with an invaluable opportunity to interact with other musicians and learn essential life lessons such as having the confidence to get back up after stumbling.”
Choi and Mao scored first place, earning their opportunity to join the International Student Music Exchange Program this summer in China, Italy, Germany and Switzerland.
Villaruel started piano at seven years old and played “Golliwog’s Cakewalk” by Claude Debussy. He said he has an electric piano at home with songs built into it and thought it would be cool to play it at Carnegie Hall. Meara started four years ago and played Edvard Grieg’s “Notturno” because of its dreamy sound.
Sebastian, who played Carnegie Hall last year in the same competition, started piano when he was 8, but said he started taking it seriously about three years ago. He played Sergei Rachmaninoff’s “Prelude in C Sharp Minor.”
“I chose it because two years ago at Carnegie Hall, I heard someone else play it and I just wanted to play that song,” Sebastian said.
Nicholas started taking the piano seriously three years ago as well. He performed Aram
Khachaturian’s “Sonatina,” mostly because he liked how fast it was.
Purugganan began at seven years old after seeing videos of people playing the piano. She played “Fountain in the Rain” by William Gillock. She said it just “went with the flow” and that she liked playing those different pieces.
Mao played “Nocturne in C Sharp Minor” by Frédéric Chopin because of its pretty sound. She began piano around seven years ago because her sister played, much like the reason Choi started, who played Franz Liszt’s “Un Sospiro.”
“I just wanted to follow my sister,” Choi said. “I’m very competitive, so I wanted to be better than her, which wouldn’t work because she’s like 10 years older than me … I’ve grown into it, and I think now it’s more about how I play and more about myself and trying to play in the key of me.”
Leading up to performing, most of the students expected the hall to be a lot bigger, even though they performed in front of about 500 people. The majority said they were nervous leading up to it, but found the event pretty fun and exciting to actually play.
Since it was his second time at the event, Sebastian said he wasn’t as nervous, and it was
good to meet people from different countries. Nicholas said it was nerve-racking at first, but the nerves went away when he began playing because of how much he practiced.
Playing in a concert hall does differ exponentially from playing in a practice room, and the students performed on a 9-foot grand piano, the largest piano class designed for maximum tone and extended sustain. Mao said her piano at home is “crusty and
old” and that the notes were so easy to play. Piano has also made an impact on the students lives, whether it be something to do when they’re bored or as a way to express themselves. Some said that it has also helped them learn consistency and memorization, which helps them with their school work. While Mao was the only one who said she could see it being a lifelong career, piano will indefinitely have a place in their lives.
Longmeadow’s Sushi Time offers wide variety of fresh fish, hibachi
By Peter Tuohy ptuohy@thereminder.com
LONGMEADOW — Sushi
Time owner and master chef
John Lin said they offer special fish that no other restaurants have. They also specialize in teriyaki and hibachi dishes.
Sushi Time is located at 791 Williams St. and opened on July 1, 2025. Before landing in Longmeadow, Lin hailed from New York City, where he began his restaurant career as a sushi chef in 2003 and opened his own restaurant in 2012. He said his brother worked as a chef in
Manhattan and gave him an apprenticeship, learning skills from a Japanese chef.
Lin said he came to Longmeadow because of his cousin, who owns Iron Chef Asian Cuisine at 927 Shaker Road. He said his time in Longmeadow so far has been very positive.
“It’s very good,” Lin said. “This is a good location, a very good neighborhood, great people around this area. That’s why we decided to come over here.”
Lin said his favorite dish is the bluefin tuna toro, which is a fatty tuna, but the menu has
a wide variety of special fish, such as king salmon, Japanese red snapper, bronzini from Spain and kanpachi, their baby yellowtail.
They also have a special Longmeadow roll on the menu, which is made from tuna, white tuna, avocado and crunch wrapped in sesame soy paper.
To people looking to try sushi for the first time, Lin said Sushi Time has everything and that they already have a lot of regular customers coming in who know them for their New York style sushi.
Longmeadow kindergarten registration is now open for 2026-2027
LONGMEADOW — Longmeadow Public Schools is holding kindergarten registration for the 2026–27 school year. Packets were mailed on Jan. 30 to families of potential kindergarteners identified through the town’s an-
nual census collection and area preschool rosters.
If you live within the town of Longmeadow, have a child who will turn five years old by Aug. 31 and have not received the kindergarten registration materials,
please contact the Central Office of Longmeadow Public Schools at 413-565-4200 ext. 4012 or ext. 4022, or forward an email to register@longmeadow.k12.ma.us.
Each elementary school will hold a kindergarten orientation
program this spring. Kindergarten screenings are expected to occur in May. Families must complete student registration in order to be invited to participate in the orientation and to schedule their child’s kindergarten screening. It
is very important for families to register their incoming kindergartener as soon as possible. Longmeadow Public Schools is excited to welcome the class of 2039, its incoming kindergarten students.
Longmeadow Public Schools to host Pre-K screening March 24-25
LONGMEADOW — The Longmeadow Public Schools will be offering a preschool program for the 2026-2027 school year. Their preschool classrooms fol-
low the Longmeadow Public Schools calendar and offer both morning and afternoon sessions, Monday through Friday. The program is integrated to
meet the needs of all children and is based on the premise that children learn from discovery and play. Classroom size is limited to 15 students. Their highly qualified staff will guide your child through a year of fun and learning. Each classroom is staffed with a certified special education teacher specializing in early childhood education and
a classroom assistant.
Children who reside in Longmeadow, and are at least three years old by Aug. 31 are encouraged to apply.
The screening process for preschoolers will take place on Tuesday, March 24 and Wednesday, March 25 at Wolf Swamp Road School from 9-11 a.m.
Applications to the preschool can be made at the time of the screening. In the event that there are more applicants than vacancies, children’s names will be entered into a lottery, and parents will be notified of acceptance by mail in March. Please call Charity Huston at the Office of Pupil Services at 413565-4210 ext. 4030 to make an appointment.
From left to right: Kevin Meara, Kristopher Villaruel, Keli-Genevieve Purugganan, LeMei Mao, Clara Choi, Nicholas Rodriguez and Sebastian Rodriguez.
Reminder Publishing submitted photo
Sushi Time storefront at 791 Williams St. in Longmeadow.
Photo credit: Sonia Lin
HAMPDEN/WILBRAHAM
HWRSD tackles budget reductions for fiscal year 2027
By Peter Tuohy ptuohy@thereminder.com
WILBRAHAM — Putting the budget together is in full swing, and the Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School District School Committee is beginning to see what their finalized budget might be looking like with reduced numbers from state aid and estimates that are too high for the towns.
Gov. Maura Healey released the Chapter 70 state aid numbers for fiscal year 2027 on Jan. 28, and a main bullet point is the minimum aid for students being at $75 per pupil, which Assistant Superintendent for Finance, Operations and Human Resources Douglas Slaughter estimated originally to be $100. He said this reduces revenue by about $68,000. The minimum state aid per pupil in FY26 was originally set at $75 by the Healey, but the Legislature approved $150.
Slaughter said the Chapter 70 formula involves a complex calculation with a whole host of factors taken into consideration, such as enrollment, low income students, special education needs, community income and property values. The district is considered a hold-harmless district if those calculations end up less than the amount given in the current year.
Superintendent John Provost said there are 272 districts —
or around 85% of the districts in Massachusetts — in hold harmless status, of which 69 are regionals.
“In my opinion, the fact that we are quickly reaching the point where almost all districts in the state are in hold harmless status signals an urgent need for significant reform of the Chapter 70 funding formula,” Provost said.
Slaughter said from a good news standpoint, the projected 13% increase in health insurance is instead looking to be a 11.2% increase, which reduces insurance costs by around $135,000.
Committee member Rich Rediker asked Provost and Slaughter how many full time equivalent employees were in jeopardy from the estimated budget being too high for the towns to completely provide. Provost estimated somewhere north of 20 FTEs with a $2 million gap in the budget estimates.
Committee member Sean Kennedy said that putting the budget together is a long, drawn out process. He said that best estimates are made to get more information on exact costs, then it is either adjusted up or down depending on how the costs differ. He said the amount being asked from Wilbraham is north of $3 million extra from last year and $1 million extra from Hampden.
He added that Wilbraham has made it clear the number is too high and it may be a difficult year
for Hampden with other things happening in town, so the committee is in a difficult position coming up with a budget that will fund the “excellent education that we have in this town,” Kennedy said.
Slaughter said there are multiple factors to consider, not just salary, but benefit impacts too. He said they have to go through their work and think about changes they’ll need to make.
“We’ll continue to refine and review all aspects of the budget to look for any savings we can find in any other places,” Slaughter said. “The challenge is, the parts of the budget that aren’t directly students don’t have a lot of movement. Our buildings take the same amount to heat, to light, year over year, so those don’t change much. The materials we need for the curriculum in our classrooms don’t change much.”
He said there are a lot of non-personnel things that make a significant impact in the budget, so it will be hard before finalizing the budget.
Kennedy asked how much of that $2 million could be found, and Slaughter said there is a small amount that could be from Lower Pioneer Valley Educational Collaborative and that there’s a lot of uncertainty with contract negotiations with staff, which is a critical piece of the puzzle.
“If it comes in differently than what I’ve estimated, then we’ll
adjust accordingly,” Slaughter said. “It could go either way. We’re having those honest and forthright negotiations in good faith, and we’ll see where that lands and materialize those particulars into this as we move ahead. Depending on where that lands could make a big differnece in what we’re dealing with.”
He said that he wouldn’t begin to suggest settling contracts will solve the problem, and there is some level of reduction work likely to be made. He said there will need to be tough choices ahead because where the bargaining lands might not be a level the towns can supply, even if they want to or not.
Provost added that the budgeting process isn’t over, but he is disappointed by the numbers from the governor’s budget.
“Many people in this room were part of an effort to notify the governor and the legislature of the dire, fiscal consequences of towns and districts all across this commonwealth,” Provost said. “I hoped that would generate some more positive momentum starting the state budget process, but it seems like it hasn’t because we basically started the same place we were last year.” Slaughter said revenue from the excess and deficiency and School Choice accounts could help, but it only solves anything for the coming year and not systemically. Kennedy said that
it’s important to many committee members to keep the E&D fund healthy, but he would have a hard time laying off anybody with money in the bank.
Once the E&D is spent, it doesn’t carry over into the next year. Committee member Michael Tirabassi said this creates a bigger deficit going into the next year. He said he’s been advocating for a more responsible use, such as turning the funds around for capital projects. Kennedy said to put it towards running the schools and keeping everybody around as long as they can.
School Committee member Tim Collins said that if taxes weren’t cut by the governor, there would be money available to support the school districts in the commonwealth that are underfunded by the state. He said he encourages people to communicate with legislators and let them know children of the vast majority of school districts are being shortchanged.
“Shame on the governor for reducing her Chapter 70 money in times like this,” Collins said.
“The kind of situation you put school committees and employees in, puts us at odds with one another. We’re trying to thread the needle, but the needle is too big. We need help wherever we can find it, and I urge the community with the people in the Legislature to tell them to do the right thing.”
Walter ‘Wally’ McSweeney named Irish Elk of the year
SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield Lodge of Elks 61 is proud to announce that Walter “Wally” McSweeney of Wilbraham has been named “Irish Elk” of the year by the Irish Committee.
Walter traces his third-generation Irish roots to his great grandfather Edward McSweeney from county Donegal.
Walter was born in Springfield to Joanne McSweeney and the late Edward McSweeney, residing in the Forest Park section of the city. He has three broth-
ers and two sisters. He attended Springfield Public Schools and graduated from Commerce High School in 1978, where he played football and made all Western Massachusetts in 1977 and 1978. He also played hockey for Commerce and won the “True Grit” award in 1978. Walter then went on to attend Wilbraham Monson Academy on a football scholarship. Walter then attended Springfield Technical Community College to obtain a business degree. He
you
To My Sweet Prince,
It has been two years since you made your last Irish exit, and we relive that week every single day. We are so sorry we couldn’t save you. You knew what the odds were, and you weren’t staying.
Though my mind understands, my heart never will. It is forever broken.
Every evening around 5:30, I still look for your car to pull into the driveway. I imagine you walking through the door, asking, “What’s for dinner, woman?” — a bag of groceries in your hand because you already had something else in mind to cook. What I would give to see you walk through that front door again, Anthony. For two years now, the dinner table is still set — just in case you decide to join us.
You were always there to explain what we couldn’t understand. A great listener, the voice of reason, offering sound advice with patience and care. You were kind and generous, almost to a fault, giving more of yourself than anyone ever expected. My Anthony, please know you are deeply missed and never forgotten. Until we meet again, my Sweet Prince, know that you live forever in our hearts. May you soar with the eagles and rest with the angels.
We love you always and forever, Mom, Dad, Summy, & Bruno
has been a co-owner of Heritage Lawns of West Springfield for 29 years.
Walter joined the Springfield Lodge of Elks in 2001, and he became an active member of the Irish Committee and Float Committee. He received the Steve Duclos Award in 2018 and the Joe Williams Award in 2023. He works as Elks Parade Day Coordinator, helps out with Irish Nationality Night and enjoys working on the Parade float.
Walter has been happi-
ly married to his wife, Lynn (Guyer) McSweeney for 43 years. They have two daughters, Colleen Connelly (son-in-law Brian Connelly) and Kaitlyn McSweeney. He enjoys spending time with his two grandchildren, Colin and Bridget Connolly, attending all their sporting events when he can. Walter enjoys driving his Shelby Mustang in his spare time and traveling, he most recently enjoyed a trip to Ireland with his family and friends.
Walter McSweeney. Reminder Publishing submitted photo
By Sarah Heinonen sheinonen@thereminder.com
SPRINGFIELD — Two lines of cheerleaders flanked the podium at Roger L. Putnam Vocational Technical Academy, rustling their blue and gold pom-poms as state Rep. Bud Williams stepped up to speak. After the applause died down, Williams made his remarks, saying, “There’s a lot of history in the Trade family, the Putnam family.” Williams is a part of that history, and to honor that, the school has named the gymnasium in his honor.
At the Jan. 30 naming ceremony, Williams said it was a “full circle” moment for him. He described growing up “very poor,” one of 10 children living in the North End in the 1960s and 1970s. Williams’s father died when the future legislator was 17. He attended what was then Trade High School, which was renamed after former Mayor Roger Putnam in 1972. During his time at the school, Williams made a name for himself on the basketball court, becoming the first person in the school’s history to score more than 1,000 career points. Williams’s colleague in the Massachusetts House of Representatives, Carlos Gonzalez, called Williams “the Michael Jordan and Dr. J of his time.”
Retired NBA player and Springfield native Travis Best attended the ceremony. Best said Williams and his father, Leo Best, were contemporaries, playing high
By Sarah Heinonen sheinonen@thereminder.com
SPRINGFIELD — Similar requests to discontinue the use of two Springfield streets resulted in very different discussions at the City Council’s Feb. 2 meeting.
Springfield College Facilities Management Director Kevin Roy presented a request to permanently close half a mile of Wilbraham Avenue, from King Street to Hickory Street. The expanse is bisected by Alden Street, which would remain a public street. Roy said one lane between Alden Street and King Street would also remain available for people who want to access the track or other public-facing college facilities.
The reason for the permanent closure is that Wilbraham Avenue is dangerous to cross, and eliminating the road will improve safety and traffic flow, Roy said. As proof, Springfield College President Mary-Beth A. Cooper offered to share with the council a video of a student being struck by a vehicle at one of the road’s eight crosswalks. The council declined to watch the clip.
The college first proposed the permanent closure of Wilbraham Road in 2023. Councilor Justin Hurst, who served on the body at that time, said the Mason Square neighborhood was “not excited”
school basketball during the same time. Referring to a displayed photo of Williams in his Trade High School basketball jersey, Best said, “I love that image. When I was growing up hearing about basketball in Springfield, it was Trade, Classical.”
Williams said his mother told him education would be his “passport” to advance in life. Williams received a scholarship to attend then-Westfield State College, going on to become a teacher and then as one of the first Black probation officers in city history.
Speaking of Williams’s work as a probation officer, Gonzalez said, “He kept a lot of people out of prison,” those who were “getting the short stick” because of their race. Similarly, Robert “Cee” Jackson, who described himself as a father figure in Williams’s life, said Williams made a difference. “Back then, the courtroom wasn’t fair to us, people of color,” he said, adding, “He stood up for us.” Jackson told Williams, “As a friend, as a father image, you’ve made me proud.”
A string of elected officials, community leaders and close friends took the microphone to praise Williams and the legacy he has made in Springfield. Mayor Domenic Sarno said, “When you look back in the 1960s, there may not have been so many opportunities” for Black and brown people. He praised Williams’s accomplishments, including those he made as a city councilor and now,
about the proposal at that time. Councilor Malo Brown went further, saying, “They were all going in an uproar.”
The last time the closure was before the council, it asked Springfield College to speak to its neighbors. Roy said the college had done so, hosting at least two public meetings for the Upper Hill neighborhood where the street is located. No one had spoken in opposition to the proposal, he said. Brown pointed out that those meetings took place two years ago, and City Council President Tracye Whitfield said he has never received a letter or head testimony either for or against shutting the road.
Brown said that the plan to close Wilbraham Avenue “seems like something they try to sneak in every couple of years.” Councilor Victor Davila agreed. “I am a little concerned with the constant quest to have this closed.”
While he acknowledged the traffic issues, he said, “This is nothing new to us and we have said no because it’s part of the community.”
When asked by Davila, Hector Valez of the city’s Traffic Commission explained that when a public way is discontinued, the road is divided down the middle and the abutter on either side of the road absorbs their half of the
Bud Williams
as a state representative. He specifically called out the way Williams partnered with the city during the coronavirus pandemic to keep Springfield’s Black residents healthy, who nationally were facing significantly poorer outcomes than their non-Black counterparts. After listening to the speakers sing his praises, Williams quipped, “I didn’t know they were talking about me.” Williams told the crowd, which
road into their property. As the college owns the land on both sides of Wilbraham Avenue, it would take ownership of the street. Councilor Zaida Govan noted that colleges own a lot of land in Springfield and, due to pay-in-lieu-of-taxes agreements, the city does not receive as much revenue as it would from property taxes.
“We want to be good neighbors,” said Roy. He recalled that the college willingly gave up land for the construction of Samuel Golden Park.
The matter was referred to the council’s General Government Committee for a more detailed analysis.
A separate petition to discontinue a street was submitted for land at the end of Wallace Street, where it meets Wisteria Lane. There, Valdez explained, is a 600-square-foot “paper street,” a road that appears on maps but has never been built out. The petitioner, JETS Property Development founder Jelani Bland, owns property on one side of the street. As it stands, he said, the land is largely used for dumping.
Partway through the discussion, Councilor Michael Fenton inquired if Whitfield, who is Bland’s mother, intended to recuse herself. She said she had planned to and apologized for
included students, “To get anywhere in life, you need to stand on somebody’s shoulders.” He shared a memory from his time playing basketball at Trade and said that to travel in the 1970s, teenage boys were expected to wear sports coats, but Williams did not own one. Then-principal Edmond Garvey and coach, Ted Plumb, bought him a suit with their own money so he could travel to away games. “The shoulders I have
stood upon...” Williams reflected. Finishing his remarks, he quoted an “old negro spiritual,” saying, “May the work I do speak for me.” Williams and his son, Kamari Williams, are the only father and son pair in the city to both have a gymnasium named for them. Kamari was the head coach of the High School of Science and Technology Cybercats, and the school’s gymnasium was named for him after his death in 2020.
the delay, citing her relative inexperience as the new council president.
Bland explained that his company is building a duplex on an abutting property. The abutter on the opposite side is willing to sell the portion of the road they will own after it is discontinued, and Bland would like to either use the land as additional parking or build on it in the future.
Brown and Councilor Brian Santaniello praised Bland for taking the initiative to create land for housing, something the landpoor city needs. Likewise, Govan said it was putting the land to “good use” because the city would be able to collect taxes on it. Hurst said it would remedy a blighted piece of land. Fenton, however, said he was uneasy about “giving away” land that could be developed. He said the discontinuance process is not typically used to facilitate personal gain and, if that is the intent, the land should be auctioned to provide the city with most economic benefit. This argument was not enough to sway many of Fenton’s colleagues, however, and when the vote was called, only he and Councilor Melvin Edwards voted not to eliminate the road.
State Rep. Bud Williams lifts a triumphant fist after unveiling a plaque naming the gymnasium at Roger L. Putnam Vocational Technical Academy in his honor.
Reminder Publishing photo by Sarah Heinonen
Springfield College Facilities Management Director Kevin Roy displays the area of Wilbraham Avenue the college wants to have closed.
Photo credit: Focus Springfield
Layoff notices fueling competitiveness, political debates
By Alison Kuznitz State House News Service
BOSTON — A trio of major layoff notices will soon cost 260 workers their jobs in Boston and Western Massachusetts, adding to economic competitiveness pressures at play for the state and in this year’s elections.
Panera plans to lay off 92 workers in Franklin on March 25-27, according to a recently filed notice with the state. Zipcar intends to terminate 65 workers in Boston from April 1-14, followed by Thermo Fisher Scientific laying off 103 employees in Franklin from Dec. 31 through Dec. 31, 2027.
Critics say the losses underscore the state’s flailing competitive edge, as the Healey administration aims to mitigate affordability woes that are driving Bay Staters out of Massachusetts. Residents continue to feel the squeeze of steep housing, energy and health care prices.
“These are not isolated decisions,” Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance Executive Director Paul Diego Craney said on Feb. 2. “They are rational business responses to a state that has become increasingly expensive, unpredictable, and hostile to employers. High taxes, crushing energy costs and rigid Net Zero climate mandates are making it harder every day for companies to justify staying in Massachusetts.”
Craney added: “If state leaders refuse to take our loss of economic competitiveness seriously, this trend will continue, and working families will keep paying the price.” Massachusetts is also experiencing a population exodus. New census data show that 33,340 residents left and went to other states between July 1, 2024, and July 1, 2025.
In her State of the Commonwealth address, Healey referred to talent as “our greatest strength.”
“That’s why, when it comes to competing for jobs — my bet’s always on Massachusetts,” Healey said. “Hasbro and Lego agreed — they moved their headquarters here. So did Alnylam, a global leader in life-saving gene therapies. They started at UMass Chan Medical School. Now, they just built a brand-new manufacturing
E-textbooks
Continued from page 5
as part of the learning process as an adult — It continues right? It doesn’t just stop as you get a degree,” Domb said.
In Amherst, which has three higher education institutions, Domb said students would usually go to bookstores at the start of the semester, buy a single book and work out how to share the material.
But as digital resources have become more widespread, colleges and universities have been entering into contracts with electronic textbook producers that tack on the price of course materials to student tuition bills. Students may opt out of these contracts, but many aren’t aware of how to and they may not have the choice if curricula require content from the electronic textbooks, Domb said. The agreements often include monetary incentives, or quota-based savings to encourage colleges and universities to promote the electronic materials.
As a result of the agreements — which are promoted as a way to reduce student costs — faculty may be less likely to use free online materials, further limiting student savings and creating a conflict of interest between stu-
plant in Norton, all built with good union jobs. Then there’s Transmedics — a company saving lives for people who need organ transplants. They turned down New Hampshire and decided to grow right here in Massachusetts.”
In over-the-year data spanning from November 2025 to November 2024, Maine, New Hampshire and Rhode Island saw declines in nonfarm payroll employment, while Vermont’s employment grew by about 0.6%, the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston said in a report last month. “Connecticut and Massachusetts employment barely grew, with increases of only 0.1% and 0.05%, respectively,” the report said.
Zipcar is closing the company’s local headquarters in Boston, and consolidating functions within owner Avis Budget Group’s U.S. headquarters in Parsippany, New Jersey, according to a state notice.
“Zipcar’s regional field and fleet operations teams will continue to be based in Boston and other local markets to support members and day-to-day service without interruption,” Avis said in a statement. “Zipcar remains fully operational and members should expect the same service and experience they rely on today. We are committed to managing this transition responsibly and supporting our employees throughout the process.”
Panera intends to close its Fresh Dough Facility in Franklin on March 27 as the company implements a new bakery operating model, according to a state notice.
“Panera is offering all affected employees many forms of support throughout this transition, including a severance package, assistance locating other jobs within Panera and outplacement services, including a job fair on February 23, 2026,” the notice said.
Thermo Fisher plans to eventually close its Franklin facility, which “provides GMP biologics storage and cell therapy clinical trial support,” according to a company webpage. The first layoffs will occur on Dec. 31, and “separations may continue through” the next year, a state notice said.
The Thermo Fisher losses point to steady headwinds in life sciences, which lost more than 1,000 biopharma research and development
dents and an institution’s finances, Domb said.
Domb’s bill has bipartisan support, with Minority Leader Sen. Bruce Tarr as a cosponsor.
Another bill on the committee’s agenda (H 4597) Wednesday, filed by Rep. Paul McMurtry, would ban issuing off-premise liquor licenses within 500 feet of any licensee after 2026.
George Cronin, representing the Massachusetts Package Store Association, said the bill is crucial because the state is facing “significant public health and marketplace stability challenges that are directly linked to the extreme density of alcohol retail stores.”
There are more than 3,200 retail liquor stores in the state and Massachusetts already has more off-premise alcohol stores than the other five New England states combined, Cronin said.
“Over-saturation creates a dense network of alcohol outlets that is affecting store viability and how easily youth can illegally access alcoholic beverages,” he said. “The extreme density of on-premise alcohol licenses is alarming.”
Katie Castellani is a reporter for State House News Service and State Affairs Pro Massachusetts. Reach her at kcastellani@statehousenews.com.
jobs from 2023 to 2024. Massachusetts invests public funds in the sector, with a 2024 economic development law reauthorizing the life sciences initiative at $500 million for the next decade.
Thermo Fisher has never received state tax credits from the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, an agency spokesperson said.
“Did every mid-size manufacturing plant in Massachusetts make a New Years Resolution to flee the state in 2026?” GOP candidate for governor Brian Shortsleeve tweeted on Jan. 30. “Thermo Fisher Scientific is the largest publicly traded company in Massachusetts. When they close a home-turf
plant, you know it’s bad.”
The Campbell’s Company last week announced plans to close its Hyannis facility in April, meaning Cape Cod potato chips will soon no longer be made on the Cape. The Hyannis plant produces just 4% of the total volume of Cape Cod chips annually, and Campbell’s said the “site no longer makes economic sense for the business.”
“Massachusetts under Maura Healey is so expensive and unfriendly to job creators that an iconic MA brand is cutting ties,” tweeted GOP gubernatorial candidate Mike Kennealy, who pointed out Massachusetts gained 230,000
private sector jobs when he was housing and economic development secretary in the Baker administration.
“Since Maura Healey has been governor, our economy has been stagnant,” Kennealy continued. “That’s unacceptable.”
Reacting to the Cape Cod business news, GOP gubernatorial candidate Mike Minogue said, “Massachusetts brand can’t keep production in Massachusetts. We must do better.”
Alison Kuznitz is a reporter for State House News Service and State Affairs Pro Massachusetts. Reach her at akuznitz@ stateaffairs.com.
ROGER WILLIAMS UNIVERSITY DEAN’S LIST
BRISTOL, RHODE ISLAND — Select students have been named to the Fall 2025 Dean’s List at Roger Williams University. Full-time students who complete 12 or more credits per semester and earn a GPA of 3.4 or higher are placed on the Dean’s List that semester. Maddison Edwards and Ashlee Stanek of East Longmeadow; Jack Arnold of Longmeadow; and McKenna Hatch of Wilbraham were named to the list.
Galvin to seek record ninth term as state secretary
By Katie Castellani State House News Service
BOSTON — Secretary of State
William Galvin will seek a record ninth term in office this fall, a decision he said was largely motivated by concerns over President Donald Trump’s handling of elections and the census.
In a letter to members of the Democratic State Committee, Galvin, 75, said he is “seeking to extend my service as Secretary of State through 2030.” In anticipa-
tion of the 2028 presidential election, Galvin said he is “greatly concerned with federal efforts to interfere with the conduct of the election” referring to the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection as well as “ongoing effort to manipulate congressional districts in 2026.”
“As the longest serving state elections administrator in the nation, it is my intention to expose and resist any such efforts wherever attempted,” wrote the Boston Democrat, who was first
inaugurated as secretary of state in 1995 and joined the state Legislature in the mid-1970s.
Galvin said the Trump administration is attempting to restrict the ability for Massachusetts residents to register to vote and vote by mail. Also, the administration is seeking “without any need” personal information about Massachusetts voters, a move Galvin said his office is fighting in federal court.
A Galvin-backed ballot initiative that would enable people to register and vote on Election Day is one of 11 proposals making its way to the 2026 ballot.
As the state liaison for the 2030 U.S. Census, Galvin said he is “greatly concerned” about
TheReminder.com
Every week we will provide you with a complete listings of deaths from the preceding week from throughout Greater Springfield. We are doing this as a convenience to our readers in case you miss an obit in the daily paper. We hope you find this useful and that you will refer to it weekly.
CHICOPEE
Karen M. Benoit
Louise C. Hebert
Tina Laker
William G. Lomas
Adrienne Moreau
Gail L. Rogers
Walter B. Rohan
Luann T. Sheridan
EAST LONGMEADOW
Janet M. Richards
HAMPDEN
Bruce Edward Glover
Robert H. Zepke
HOLYOKE
William T. Baxter
Kathleen L. Bowler
Jean S. Buxton
Joseph E. Cavanaugh
LONGMEADOW
Michael J. Flaherty
Anthony A. Sergentanis
Eleanor Stolar LUDLOW
Erika A. Desautels
Paul Trigilio
SOUTH HADLEY
John V. Attardi
Thomas L. Bernard
Mavis A. Blain
Janet A. Chagnon
Helen Domurat
Joan P. Duffy
Lorraine D. Lavallee Ph.D.
Maureen Parker Murray
SPRINGFIELD
Bridget M. Beucke
John Patrick Lynch
John S. Musiak
Rory H. Quinn
Joanne F. Shapiro
Alan Dale Wilson
Marie M. Young
WILBRAHAM
John T. Liebel
Bowman Dean Franklin Milner Sr.
Dr. Albert S. Orquiola
federal efforts to limit the process and procedures for the April 2030 count. He referenced “Trump inspired challenges” to limit the counting of group quarters and exclude immigrants.
“The effect of these policies would be to limit federal aid and representation and injure our economy,” Galvin said in the letter. “I wish to make the 2030 count accurate and inclusive.”
Before his election to a record eighth four-year term in 2022, the secretary of state was asked if he would run again in 2026 if he were reelected.
“I will have served a very long time,” Galvin told The Boston Globe. “So, quite likely, I will not run again.”
When the News Service caught up with Galvin to ask about his 2026 reelection plans last fall, he contended that he had “actually kept my options open” and pointed to “circumstances that have occurred” since he suggested me may not run in 2026.
“There’s a lot to concern myself with,” Galvin said in September. “Obviously circumstances dictate what happens.”
With his last reelection, Galvin cruised past former Secre-
tary Frederic Cook’s record of 28 years holding the post. A 16year veteran of the House before he ran for secretary (after having lost a bid for state treasurer in 1990), Galvin has been one of the most consistent figures on Beacon Hill for nearly half a century. He has overseen the state’s elections administration, lobbyist and corporation registration, and public records law compliance since the first Clinton administration. He has fended off both primary and general election challengers along the way, never earning less than 64% of the vote in a reelection campaign. Over the course of Galvin’s tenure, the House has had five speakers, seven Senate presidents have wielded the gavel, and another seven people have executed the duties of governor. The secretary over the years has kept his face before voters by frequently appearing as the central orator in ads that are run in connection with his office’s role in elections and as the state’s chief information officer. Katie Castellani is a reporter for State House News Service and State Affairs Pro Massachusetts. Reach her at kcastellani@statehousenews.com.
UNIVERSITY OF NEW ENGLAND DEAN’S LIST
BIDDEFORD, MAINE — The following students have been named to the University of New England’s Dean’s List for the fall semester 2025. Dean’s List students have attained a grade point average of 3.3 or better out of a possible 4.0 at the end of the semester. Emma Doyle and Seamus Oldenburg of East Longmeadow; and Derek Semanie of Wilbraham were named to the list.
AIC DEAN’S LIST
SPRINGFIELD — American International College in Springfield is proud to announce that 489 students have earned a place on the Dean’s List for the fall 2025 semester. These full-time students have attained GPAs ranging from 3.3 to 4.0. Chase Pham, Jameson Beaty, Matthew Longo, Michelle Ryan and Jordan Wainwright of East Longmeadow; Charles Calvanese, Maria Albano, Brian Beliveau and Connor Montagna of Longmeadow; and Alex Garete, Chelsea Foulis and Melissa Larochelle of Wilbraham were named to the list.
DINING ENTERTAINMENT
Festival to showcase, celebrate youth film and photography
By Trent Levakis tlevakis@thereminder.com
NORTHAMPTON — From the Valley Fest, a new youth film and photography festival started by two Hampshire County high schoolers, is coming to 33 Hawley in Northampton on Feb. 21. The inaugural event will showcase and celebrate the work of young artists in their respective mediums.
The festival was cultivated by Amherst Regional High School junior Ava Beganny and Pioneer Valley Performing Arts School junior Serena Gross, whose passion and friendship tied to photography and visual storytelling helped foster the idea. They became friends at the Deerfield Academy Summer Arts Camp and quickly bonded over their shared interests.
“We’ve been friends for a while, and we became friends because we had a shared love for visual art, such as photography and film. We were looking around the area trying to find some kind of festival to showcase our artwork, and we couldn’t really find anything that was really accessi-
ble to us, so we were like, ‘what if we just made it ourselves?’ And so over the summer, we started talking about it and planning, and it all kind of went from there,” Beganny told Reminder Publishing
As part of their summer at DASAC, the two were exposed to analog photography and visual storytelling, which eventually augmented the poetry they wrote.
Beganny said it was a great experience for the two of them because it helped build their skills in those areas.
The festival will run on Feb. 21 from 2-4 p.m. The first hour is devoted to a photo gallery walk/ mixer, where artists can connect further and speak to attendees about their work. The second hour features a presentation of the film submissions themselves.
“Youth artists can meet up with each other and get inspired, and just have a good connectiveness … I think that part is really cool, talking to other people your age that are interested in the same thing,” added Beganny.
“It’s [the festival] casual, as in it’s not something to be super wor-
ried about going into it. Everyone who submitted has really good art, and it’s amazing to see, so it shouldn’t be a scary event where you’re worried your art isn’t good enough. It’s for youth artists, and it’s for people to try and experiment, and get inspired.
Beganny added, “I think that it’s really important to not only be creative in your own way in whatever art form it is, but to also look at other people’s ideas through artwork. I think it’s important to broaden your scope and to also get connected with other people. I have a lot of friends at Northampton High School, and I’m just trying to get a lot of people to come to this event. Not only if you’re an artist, but to see people doing things you’re not used to, because it can really make your brain open up more to different ideas.”
Beganny said the event is not meant to be competitive. Instead, it’s a showcase of the talented youth working in these areas. With that being said, one photographer and one filmmaker will be highlighted at the end of the event as “The Valley Favorite.”
“It’ll be a way to showcase one thing that really excelled in our eyes, but we don’t want it to be a competition; it’s just an added benefit. For everyone that’s submitted, we’re all proud of them, and it’s been amazing to see,” added Beganny.
Reflecting on the creation of the festival, Beganny said she and Gross are both thankful to be living in the valley, where doing something like this is attainable.
“I think we’re really lucky to live in an area where it’s accessible to do things like this and also to be supported through that. I think that it’s good that we’re taking this opportunity because there are places where people just don’t have access to these forms of art, or access to the funds to be able to put on such an event,” said Beganny. “We want to take advantage of that and be able to do this so that people will be more inspired in the future to do more stuff like this, because in all honesty, my ideas were inspired by a lot of local theater people who have put on their own events at different venues and such, and I kind of
wanted to lean into that and put on my own event. I just wanted to lean right into my hobbies, which I know a lot of youth share with me, and to be able to have a big gathering where everybody can learn one way or another.”
Tickets for the first-ever From the Valley: Youth Film and Photography Festival are $7 for students and $12 for general admission if purchased on Eventbrite: visit tinyurl.com/tjmvd4s8. The cost at the door is $5 for students and $10 for general admission attendees.
“Art is a very special medium. I think that it’s not encouraged in a lot of places, and I want to be able to encourage that to youth so that they can try this thing that is often discouraged, because it’s hard to make a living when only focusing on art,” added Beganny.
“But I think, especially as a kid or teenager, that’s the prime time to experiment with art, whether it’s film and photography, or theater, or writing, anything like that, I think is just wonderful, and I think everybody should have access to those types of things.”
Springfield Symphony’s Fearless Women Awards open for nominations
SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield Symphony Orchestra announced that its fourth Annual Fearless Women Awards are open for nominations, honoring local women who embody courage, resilience and empowerment. Women are nominated by their peers, and nominations are being accepted until Feb. 13 at 5 p.m. Nominations can be made through a form on the SSO web-
BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation on Feb. 4 announced that reservations for the 2026 state park camping season will open to the public on Wednesday, Feb. 18, at 9 a.m. Camping season at DCR’s 25 campgrounds will begin in April and continue through October.
“Camping at a DCR park is a cherished tradition for families and friends from all over — many of whom return to the same campground year after year, and in some cases for decades,” said DCR Commissioner Nicole LaChapelle. “Spending time together outdoors strengthens relationships, creates lasting memories and helps foster the vital connection between people and nature, along with a shared responsibility to care for these special places.”
Campers should note the following prior to booking a reservation:
• Reservations are available up to four months in advance of arrival.
• Same-day reservations are available until 2 p.m. daily through ReserveAmerica
• Campers should fill out all required fields of the reservation application at the time of booking to ensure a smooth arrival.
• Visitors without a reservation are not allowed in campsites; however, day-use areas are available for gathering and outdoor activities.
• All pets must have physical proof of valid rabies vaccination. Entry may be denied at check-in if paper verification cannot be provided.
Campground-specific updates
• Fans of camping at Mount Greylock State Reservation and the Boston Harbor Islands are encouraged to monitor DCR’s website and social media accounts for updates on the camping schedule.
• Savoy Mountain State Forest’s campground will close July 31 to accommodate the construction of a new bathhouse.
This season, Washburn Island
site at SpringfieldSymphony.org.
This year’s Fearless Women will be recognized on stage at the SSO’s March 14 performance at 7:30 p.m., “Gershwin and A Woman’s Voice.”
Those who nominate a Fearless Woman can choose among five inspiring categories that most embodies the individual, including Bravery, Advocacy, Passion, Perseverance; and Au-
will be available for camping on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. The campground at Washburn Island is accessible by private boat only. Please note that there is no on-site parking at the Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve or at the town of Falmouth parking lot at White’s Landing. Campers are responsible for finding suitable parking arrangements. Since last season, DCR has made several improvements to its campsites including the new yurts at both Clarksburg State
thenticity. Last year’s Fearless Women Awards honored seven local women, and since its inception, the Awards have recognized more than 20 women in the region.
Those being honored will receive two tickets to the March 14 SSO concert, along with the individual who nominated them, and there will be a Welcome Reception for honorees, their guests
Park and Nickerson State Park. A list of DCR campsites can be found at DCR’s camping webpage. Campsites vary in offered accommodations, including showers, flush toilets, and R.V. water and power hook-ups. Yurts can be reserved at Myles Standish State Forest, Nickerson State Park, October Mountain State Forest, Clarksburg State Park, Otter River State Forest, Shawme Cromwell State Forest, Wells State Park and Willard Brook State Forest. Cabins can be rented at Mohawk Trail State Forest and Savoy
and nominators in the Mahogany Room prior to the concert. The Fearless Women will then be recognized on-stage at the start of the performance. The honorees will receive a plaque in recognition of this honor.
According to Heather Caisse-Roberts, president and CEO of the SSO, “The Fourth Annual Fearless Women Awards celebrate the remarkable women whose courage, creativity and commitment elevate our community and inspire us all. They reflect a deep dedication to lifting others, fostering connection, and creating meaningful, lasting impact through their everyday actions. We are proud to recognize their achievements and to shine a spotlight on these amazing women in our very own Symphony Hall.”
Mountain State Forest. For more information on camping in cabins and yurts visit DCR’s cabin and yurt camping webpage. Additionally, approximately 20 of DCR’s campgrounds have accessible campsites that all provide accessible parking, accessible restrooms, and a flat, firm and stable surface for camping. For more information on accessible campsites visit DCR’s accessible camping webpage. Last year, DCR accepted nearly 65,000 camping reservations at parks across the state. For more information and questions about the 2026 camping season, visit the agency’s website or email dcr.campinginfo@mass.gov.
EAST LONGMEADOW VS LUDLOW HOCKEY
Cameron Kneeland (L) of East Longmeadow checks Ludlow’s Joe Toomey.
EL’s Joe Mazza looks to score on the rebound but Ludlow goalie Donald Rogers deflects the puck toward the corner.
Luca Cappacio (R) vies for the puck with Sean Kefalas of the Lions.
Spartans goalie Owen Fisher makes the kick save against Nick Deroin.
The Spartans Samuel Ferrero (R) battles Gavin Harrington in front of the Ludlow goal.
East Longmeadow’s Keller Reid (R) and Ludlow’s Connor Kokosa jostle for position in front of the Spartans net.
Alex Roman attempts to score on the backhand but the puck sails just wide of the post.
East Longmeadow’s Kevin Baker rips a shot on goal.
Jack Rustico’s wrist shot is on net but saved by Donald Rogers of Ludlow.
