Council receives Center Town District rezoning visualization
After months of work and assessment, the town can visualize what the zoning may have looked like for the proposed Center Town District bylaw if the language wasn’t withdrawn in December 2025.
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AROUND THE AREA
Oliveira pushes to update, expand Heart Law for police
State Sen. Jake Oliveira is making a push to update Massachusetts’ 75-year-old Heart Law, standing beside 400 police officers who don’t qualify for its benefits.
Page 7
DiZoglio continues legislative audit push
By Sarah Heinonen sheinonen@thereminder.com
SPRINGFIELD — The 2026
state election may not be until the fall, but candidates are already making the rounds across the commonwealth to introduce themselves and make their case to voters. Massachusetts Auditor Diana DiZoglio may be running unopposed, but that does not mean she is without opponents.
On a recent trip to Springfield, she sat down with Reminder Publishing to discuss the role of the auditor and the controversy she has become embroiled in.
DiZoglio said most residents in the state do not know what the state auditor does.
“I’m not the IRS,” she said, referring to the federal Internal Revenue Service. “I don’t audit individual people.” Instead, she said the auditor reviews the expenditures of the state government. She said that for the first time in decades, the auditor’s office completed audits of all departments in the executive branch, as required every three years by law.
While DiZoglio may have auditing the executive branch down to a science, efforts to audit the state Legislature have created controversy and litigation.
DiZoglio has plenty of experience with the Legislature. She served six years as a state representative beginning in 2013, after which she was elected to the state Senate until she was elected to the office of auditor in 2022.
DiZoglio said she decided to run for auditor to use what she had learned about state government to ensure Massachusetts operates with transparency and equity.
DiZoglio’s platform at that time included reinstating the ability to audit the Legislature. In 2024, DiZoglio delivered on that campaign promise when a ballot question she championed was passed by 72% of voters. She said she intends to review state contracts, settlements and receipts to see how the state is spending tax dollars, but the leadership in the Legislature, namely Senate President Karen Spilka and her counterpart in the state House of Representatives, Speaker Ronald Mariano, argue that it would violate the separation of powers as laid out in the state’s constitution.
DiZoglio said that argument is “complete baloney,” because it conflicts with history. She said auditing the Legislature was commonplace until the 1990s when House of Representatives Speaker Charles Flaherty blocked Auditor A. Joseph DeNucci from auditing him. DiZoglio pointed out that Flaherty later admitted to conflicts of interest and was convicted of felony tax evasion.
“If you are refusing an audit, what are you hiding?” DiZoglio asked.
DiZoglio has been pursuing litigation against the Legislature, Mariano and Spilka to force them to comply with an audit. Attor-
State Auditor Diana DiZoglio speaks at the 2025 MassDem State Convention held Sept. 13, 2025, at the Mass Mutual Center in Springfield. Republican file photo See DIZOGLIO on page 4
STRM: Wildman and Christie discuss St. Patrick’s Day
By Ryan Feyre rfeyre@thereminder.com
HOLYOKE — Winter’s twilight is mercifully upon us, which means “green season” is about to reach its apex with the St. Patrick’s Day festivities.
On the latest episode of “So That Reminds Me,” Holyoke St. Patrick’s Committee President Jim Wildman and Holyoke Grand Colleen Jadyn Christie sat down with hosts Chris Maza and Tyler Garnet to discuss the 2026 St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, including the 49th annual 10K road race on March 21 and the 73rd St. Patrick’s Parade on March 22.
While most of the weekend will remain unaltered, there is one notable addition to this year’s festivities: a sensory-friendly viewing area from Elm Street through Maple Street on Appleton Street. According to Wildman, the twoblock section of the route will serve as a designated area for families, children and individuals who want a calmer environment.
The zone will take effect from Elm Street through Maple Street with no emergency lights or flashing lights and no sirens or amplified alarms. Bands during this portion will also play strings only.
Wildman said the idea for this section came from his time marching in the Tralee St. Patrick’s Day parade during a trip to Ireland last year. He shared that the band and music stopped, and they noticed some children with
headphones on. When he returned from the trip, Wildman said he made sure to add a similar zone to the Holyoke parade this year. He shared that Magic for Maddie and the Miracle League of Western Massachusetts are sponsoring this initiative.
“I told the parade coordinator, and a few others, I said, ‘we have to do this,’ and they all agreed, we were all in agreement,” Wildman said. “We’re hoping that this is a huge success.”
The remainder of the weekend will function similarly to past years. Both Wildman and Christie reflected on their excitement for the festivities, including the focus on celebrating surrounding communities.
“It’s very much a dedication for all our regionals; and again, without them, we don’t have much of a parade,” Wildman said. “So, that’s why we try to get out, we try to network with all of them.”
The yearly networking with other communities has yielded a sizable economic impact throughout the region. Wildman said a financial study done 15 years ago found that the parade weekend that year brought in $22 million from events, sales, restaurants, hotels and everything else that factors into the weekend.
This year, Wildman said the goal is to spearhead another financial study. He shared that it’s important to capture the weekend’s impact because the celebration touches people from not just
the region, but around the globe.
“We’re broadcasting 22 [News], we have a million viewers, and we have another, I think, three or four hundred thousand that watch us online,” Wildman said. “Outside of that, as far away as Australia, Poland, Hawaii … we have these people that are from Holyoke that have moved because they can’t make it home for the weekend, they’re still trying to get involved with that homecoming and enjoy
the parade.”
The weekend’s camaraderie is felt right at home too, especially by Christie, who reflected on her time as colleen after years of enjoying the annual traditions with her family.
“It’s an incredible honor, getting to know a lot of the young girls who specifically gravitate towards me because of my crown,” Christie said. “I’ve done some visits and some tea parties with some of the local little girls,
and it’s just amazing just to see how much they look up to you. You walk in and … their jaws drop, this is real.”
The 49th annual road race begins at 1 p.m. on March 21 and the 73rd annual parade starts at 11 a.m. on March 22. Readers can listen to the full podcast episode by visiting thereminder.com/our-podcast or search “So That Reminds Me” on your favorite podcasting platform.
Monson Savings Bank’s annual scholarships available for local high school seniors
MONSON — Every year Monson Savings Bank proudly offers $28,000 in scholarships to graduating high school seniors. The Bank aims to support the attainment of higher education for students who live within the communities that the bank serves.
Monson Savings Bank’s 2026 scholarships are now available to high school seniors enrolled in the Monson, Ware, Hampden-Wilbraham and East Longmeadow school districts.
“Monson Savings Bank is proud to support our neighbors and help them reach their goals,” said Dan Moriarty, Monson Savings Bank president and CEO.
“We are thrilled to provide local high school graduates with scholarship money to offset the cost of continuing their education. We are pleased to have the chance to help these hardworking young people in continuing their education and finding success in this next stage of their lives.”
To qualify, graduating seniors must be planning to attend an accredited college, technical school or certification program. Scholarship awards will be based on a variety of factors, which may include the applicant’s financial needs, academic performance and extracurricular activities. A candidate for this scholarship should demonstrate a commitment to their community. Students interested in applying for the Monson Savings Bank Scholarship should contact their high school guidance department for an application. The deadline for application acceptance varies by school, please contact your school’s Guidance Department for more information.
St. Patrick’s Committee President Jim Wildman and Holyoke Grand Colleen Jadyn Christie sat down with hosts Chris Maza and Tyler Garnet on the latest episode of “So That Reminds Me.” Reminder Publishing photo by Debbie Gardner
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. Teen programs:
• Tech Take Apart — Monday, March 23, at 2:30 p.m. Children’s book clubs:
• Funny Bonz (for grades 3-4) — Tuesday, March 24, at 4:30 p.m. This month’s book is “Oliver and the Seawigs” by Philip Reeve.
• Page Turners (for grade 5 and up) — Tuesday, March 24, at 4:30 p.m. This month’s book selection is “How to Train Your Dragon” by Cressida Cowell.
HISTORICAL MUSEUM HOURS
The East Longmeadow Historical Museum, located at 87 Maple St. East Longmeadow, will open Saturday, March 21, from 1-3 p.m. with free admission. The mueseum boasts an impressive display of artifacts from East Longmeadow’s Redstone mining era from the town’s many quarries along
TOWN EVENTS
with many treasures such as period furniture and clothing displays, antique quilts and Native American relics. The mueseum welcomes any donated heirlooms for its revered and growing collections.
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 413-566-5588.
• Greeting Cards with Ellie — Monday, March 23, 1-3 p.m. Cost is $3 per person. All materials are provided.
• Common Threads Led by Joan Tompkins, PhD — Monday, March 23 at 12:45 p.m. Coffee with Town Administrator, Brian Domina — Wednesday, March 25, 9:30-10:30 a.m. Stop in for a cup of coffee and light refreshments. While there is no formal presentation, the Town Administrator will be happy to answer any questions that you may have.
• Boost Your Brain Health by Eating Well — Wednesday, March 25, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Lobby Learning: Pat Sherman from Edward Jones — Thursday, March 26
LONGMEADOW
RICHARD SALTER STORRS LIBRARY
The following events take place at the Richard Salter Storrs Library, 593 Longmeadow St. For more information or to register for pro-
“quid pro quo.”
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ney General Andrea Joy Campbell has objected to this, insisting that her office is the only entity authorized to enter into litigation on behalf of the state. Meanwhile, she has filed a motion to dismiss the suit on behalf of the Legislature.
“Gatekeeping justice is not leadership. It’s obstruction,” DiZoglio said. DiZoglio said the Legislature funds the attorney general’s office, creating a conflict of interest. She cited a 12% increase in the attorney general’s fiscal year 2026 budget as a
DiZoglio sought approval from the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court to name attorney, Shannon Liss-Riordan, who is willing to represent DiZoglio, as a special assistant attorney general for the purpose of the litigation. On March 4, Judge Dalila Argaez Wendlandt denied DiZoglio’s request on the basis that she did not provide case law sufficient to support the request, something DiZoglio disputes. Liss-Riordan, who DiZoglio said is working pro bono on her case, lost a bid for state attorney general against Campbell in 2022.
While the litigation is in progress, DiZoglio said, “We have a plan B.” Her office has intro-
grams, call 413-565-4181, or head to longmeadowlibrary.org.
Youth programs: First Line Book Club (grades 2-3) — Tuesday, March 24, at 3:30 p.m. This month’s book selection is “The Book of Why’s” by Gianni Rodari. Bananas for Books Club (kindergarten and grade 1)
— Wednesday, March 25, at 3:30 p.m. This month’s book selection is “A Place for Rain” by Michelle Schaub.
• VIRTUAL: Successfully Navigating College Admissions This Fall — Wednesday, March 25, at 7:30 p.m.
• Anything but a Paintbrush — Thursday, March 26, at 3:30 p.m. Let’s Laugh Book Club (grades 4-5) — Friday, March 27, at 3:30 p.m.
Adult programs: VIRTUAL: Play Along Ukulele from Home — Monday, March 23, from 7-8 p.m.
• Library Virtual Speakers: America’s Failed Response to the Opioid Crisis with Author Shoshana Walter — Tuesday, March 24, from 2-4 p.m.
• VIRTUAL: No More Curse with David Kruh — Tuesday, March 24, at 6:30 p.m.
• Fiber Arts Feed Bag Tote Bag Making — Tuesday, March 24, at 6 p.m.
Lisa Ruch Presents: Literary Reimaginings — Wednesday, March 25, at 6:30 p.m. This month’s selection is “James” by Percival Everett.
LONGMEADOW ADULT
duced a ballot question to expand public records requests to include Legislature and governor’s administration with certain exemptions. She said having documents, receipts and records available to the public improves the public’s faith in state government. She said municipalities are subject to public records requests under the law, as is her office. She said the Legislature should be, too.
The attorney general’s office is not the only place DiZoglio thinks Mariano and Spilka are exerting influence. While most of the state representatives in Western Massachusetts have been supportive, she said several legislators who had been in favor of the audit have either gone si-
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 413565-4150 option 3. Celebration Dinner: Boston Tea Party — March 24, at 5 p.m. — Provided by Take Five, dinner will include corn chowder, salad, Yankee pot roast, squash, potatoes and Boston Cream pie! $25 per person. Bruce Bowey Magic Show — Wednesday, March 25, at 1:30 p.m.
• Washington & Christopher Gist: A Living History — March 25, at 6 p.m. Learn about George Washington through the eyes of Christopher Gist, an explorer and frontiersman who knew him personally. Scenes from “For Love! For Liberty! A Musical Revolution” — March 26, at 6 p.m. A Springfield Community Theater of MA Production. This original musical brings the American Revolution to life through soaring ballads, rap, defiant dance, and raw drama.
FINANCIAL WELL BEING FOR OLDER
ADULTS
A conversation about navigating the financial side of caring for an older adult will be held Tuesday, March 24, from 4:30–6:30 p.m. in the second-floor movie room at Ruth’s House, 770 Converse St. in Longmeadow. The event is part of the Peace and Wellness Series, a monthly community edu-
lent on the issue or have changed their position, specifically citing state Sen. Jake Oliviera as one of the latter.
DiZoglio said Senate and House leadership determine what committee positions legislators have, including who is named chair, which comes with a stipend of about $45,000 on top of the base $82,000 salary. Because of this, she said, leadership can “dictate whether the representatives and senators can pay rent or not.”
For Oliviera’s part, he stated on Reminder Publishing’s “So That Reminds Me” podcast in a July 2025 episode that he believes DiZoglio is so committed to pursuing the audit to be in the
cation series facilitated by Chanda Care to support older adults, caregivers and families with practical guidance and resources. Alexandra Chapman, wealth advisor at Hometown Wealth Management, will be the featured speaker.
LUMOS: A VIVALDI & MOZART CANDLELIGHT EXPERIENCE
For one hour, people are invited to disconnect from the noise of the world and immerse yourself in the timeless works of Vivaldi and Mozart. This event takes place Friday, March 27, with two sittings from 6-7 p.m. and 8-9 p.m. at St Andrew’s Episcopal Church, located at 335 Longmeadow St.
WILBRAHAM
WILBRAHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY
The following programs take place at the Wilbraham Public Library, located at 25 Crane Park Drive. For more information or to sign up for programs, head to wilbrahamlibrary.org or call 413-596-6141.
• VIRTUAL: Matthew Algeo Discusses New York’s Secret Subway — Monday, March 23, from 7-8 p.m.
• Teen Clay Gnomes — Tuesday, March 24, from 5-6:30 p.m. Spring Sports Swap: Youth Sports Equipment — Item drop-offs/donations: Saturday, March 21, through Friday, March 27, swap: Saturday, March 28, from 10 a.m. to noon.
public eye because she is “more interested in raising her personal profile than actually doing her job as auditor.”
In response to those who question her motivations, DiZoglio said, “Respectfully, folks are going to say what they want to say. Absolutely, I’m going to tell people what my priorities are,” while running for auditor. However, she insisted she is pursuing the ability to audit the Legislature because it is her obligation as an independent elected official. “We should not be hiding,” she said, and the people who are against the audit “prefer to do business behind closed doors at the State House.”
DiZoglio
EAST LONGMEADOW
Council receives Center Town District rezoning visualization
By Peter Tuohy ptuohy@thereminder.com
EAST LONGMEADOW — After months of work and assessment, the town can visualize what the zoning may have looked like for the proposed Center Town District bylaw if the language wasn’t withdrawn in December 2025.
The East Longmeadow Town Council was joined by VHB Team Leader Luke Mitchell for the presentation at its meeting on March 10, with the information given by the town before the bylaw language was withdrawn without prejudice.
Mitchell said that the presentation was created to show how the proposed rezoning would impact the district and the development opportunities it may unlock for the properties within the proposed district compared to the opportu-
nities that could emerge with the current zoning.
It also looked at several opportunity sites, such as Stacy’s Dry Cleaners and Romito’s, to get a more visceral sense of what the rezoning would do to specific sites.
The town of East Longmeadow website states that the Center Town District is “an effort to create a pedestrian-friendly, mixed-use community core. It aims to create a central location for compact, residential-commercial development to take place in the town with a range of housing types and pricing options.”
The presentation featured six benefits to rezoning — allowing for greater variety and flexibility in the development of housing types integrated with business and commercial uses, to generate positive tax revenue with the opportunity for new business growth and
local jobs, to reduce vehicle trip miles by providing services within walking distance, to promote efficient use of land, to provide additional housing, promote a vibrant
community core and promote the preservation of open space. Mitchell said an important part of the proposed bylaw is the density bonuses, a zoning tool permit-
High school looks to address sharp decline in math achievement
By Peter Tuohy ptuohy@thereminder.com
EAST LONGMEADOW — The East Longmeadow High School winter status update revealed some new changes coming to the math department after a concerning dip in 10th grade math achievement levels.
The East Longmeadow School Committee heard the winter status update from ELHS Principal Frank Paige and Assistant Principals Anne Blain and Gary Wright at its meeting on March 9.
The school set a teaching and learning goal to see continued academic growth and increased achievement in students. The IXL diagnostic is a universal screener done to identify students who need extra support and to inform teachers of the progress their students are making over the course of a school year.
Paige said there were some issues in the diagnostic within the
math and English department, which are being asked to continue with the curriculum and identify five priority standards for each content area where there is overlap between deficiencies and potential areas of focus on MCAS to try to remediate skills going into the spring.
Paige said he had concerns for some of the numbers, such as with 10th grade math being 15% at or above grade level, which was down significantly from 65% in June 2025. In ELA, 10th grade is 35% at or above grade level.
“If you’re looking holistically when you jump to ELA, you do see an improvement,” Paige said. “But, we still have a good chunk of students who are scoring below grade level on the IXL diagnostic.”
To address some of the issues going into next year, the school has made steps, such as in math-
ting developers to exceed density limits in exchange for public benefits, such as affordable housing,
ELHS Principal Frank Paige and Assistant Principals Anne Blain and Gary Wright present the winter status update to the East Longmeadow School Committee. Photo
Oliveira pushes to update, expand Heart Law for police
By Peter Tuohy ptuohy@thereminder.com
LUDLOW — State Sen. Jake Oliveira is making a push to update Massachusetts’ 75-year-old Heart Law, standing beside 400 police officers who don’t qualify for its benefits. Originally enacted in 1950, the Heart Law gives police officers disability retirement protection if they are disabled by cardiac disease, but doesn’t cover officers employed by agencies that did not exist in their current form when the law was enacted.
Oliveira’s act, sponsored alongside state Rep. Colleen Garry, is titled “an act providing equity and fairness to POST-certified police officers disabled by cardiac disease.”
The act would extend the benefits to 400 officers in agencies like the University of Massachusetts Police and other college departments, Department of Mental Health Police, State Environmental Police and Massport Police. Without this bill, the courts and state retirement board have said the benefits can’t be extended to these officers.
Oliveira stood alongside law enforcement officers and union leaders at the State House on Feb. 26 to “renew the fight and
extend protections to hundreds of police officers currently excluded under state law.”
“It’s been eye opening to us,” Oliveira, a Ludlow Democrat, said. “We have a lot of public higher [education] institutions in Western Massachusetts, a lot of them tend to be campus police officers, so we’re standing shoulder to shoulder with these officers and listening to their stories.”
Oliveira said the average age a police officer experiences a heart attack is 49, whereas the national average for people outside of law enforcement is closer to 67.
“It’s important to a lot of families that are impacted by this, particularly in our area where we have a higher percentage of people who are excluded from this benefit,” Oliveira said. “Police officers tend to be more at risk, and what this allows for is some enhanced retirement benefits beforehand, if they’ve experienced a cardiac issue and are unable to work in their job as a police officer.”
Oliveira said that the officers not included in this law adhere the same criminal procedure law standards and are defined as equal under every other section of the law besides the Heart Law.
“It does have a real world impact,” Oliveira said. “We see a
former Hadley police officer who joined the UMass Police Department after 14 years. Four years later, he suffered an on-duty cardiac event, ending his 19 year career, and he was denied this benefit that’s given to police officers because he was employed by UMass at the time and they’re not covered under the law.”
He said that Maine recently closed a loophole in a similar cardiac law by extending benefits, and that if a cardiac event is related to a person’s job, they should have the protection that
everyone else has.
“We’re hoping to make a push this year by the end of session to close this loophole, because these officers are at a severe disadvantage,” Oliveira said. “When we need qualified people going into law enforcement, we want to make sure that the benefits are there so they can have peace of mind. You want to have the same protections under law.”
He added that when things move to the legislative process, there is always a question of cost. Since it is a small percentage of
officers who aren’t already eligible, the fiscal cost would be very slim to extend eligibility to them.
“Heart disease is really a silent killer, it’s the number one cause of death in the United States,” Oliveira said. “10% of all on duty police deaths are sudden, fatal cardiac related deaths. Officers are 25% more likely to die from heart disease than violent actions of a suspect … there’s definitely a need for this in law enforcement, given the stresses and nature of the job.”
shared parking or open space.
The proposed district will allow 15 units per acre, and the maximum number of additional units per acre that can be gained through the incentive zoning is five per acre for a total of 20 units per acre.
“If your proposed project includes things that benefit the community, you get a little bit of extra developability out of your parcel,” Mitchell said. “It’s increasingly common across the commonwealth. You see provisions like this in a lot more zoning these days.”
In the proposed Center Town
District bylaw, there is a requirement that 10% of nonresidential ground floor is required, which calls for mixed-use retail space. Mitchell said he thinks that should only be applied, if at all, to large parcels within the district.
“If you have a very small parcel, you’re only going to be able to develop one or two units of housing,” Mitchell said. “It doesn’t make a lot of sense to require that a development like that should set aside space for retail … even for the larger parcels, this could really be a deterrent for developer interest because of the fact that you’re going to require that mixed use.”
When looking at scenarios for Stacy’s Dry Cleaners, Mitchell discovered that the current zoning and setbacks do not allow enough space for any type of develop-
ment. With the proposed zoning with a 15-foot maximum setback, development can be done right to the street, allowing for things like a duplex, three townhomes relying on the density bonuses or a three story residential property.
The proposed zoning would also allow for a scenario on the Romito’s property with 14 residential units — a 12-plex and a duplex. Another scenario looks at building a 17-plex as well for 19 residential units. Scenarios on the property of Steve Graham Acquisitions allow for up to 144 residential units.
Councilor Marilyn Richards said that traffic is a huge issue with how the center is currently configured and said she can’t see going forward with this until what’s already there is addressed.
In response to Richards, Town Manager Tom Christensen reiterated that the presentation was strictly informational because the town received a grant for the presentation before the language was withdrawn, and this was an exercise to see what the town can handle and what it might want to see. Richards was concerned about scenarios with 20 units per acre,
and Christensen said if he was reading the room correctly, that was part of the reason the bylaw was withdrawn.
“This is just simply, what that old bylaw would look like on these sites,” Christensen said. “If your feeling is ‘that’s too much,’ you already had that feeling and that’s why we withdrew.”
He added that if this visualization looks to be too much, and the numbers get less and less, then maybe a Center Town District isn’t feasible for East Longmeadow and the town wouldn’t push through a bylaw that doesn’t work.
State Sen. Jake Oliveira stands alongside law enforcement officers and union members at the State House on Feb. 26.
Reminder Publishing submitted photo
LONGMEADOW
Preliminary work begins on Longmeadow, Converse streets ‘L’ project
By Peter Tuohy ptuohy@thereminder.com
LONGMEADOW — The Longmeadow and Converse streets
“L” project is set to begin and Longmeadow is informing drivers to expect extended travel time or alternate routes. Construction will start in early April and is planned over a two-year period.
Town Manager Lyn Simmons provided the update at the Select Board meeting on March 9 and said the Massachusetts Department of Transportation has awarded the contract to Morais Contractors Inc.
The company has already begun the preliminary process of staking and pole installations. MassDOT is the project owner, with the Longmeadow DPW to play “a key role in project management and coordination,” according to Simmons’ report.
This project initially came to light in 2021 with the intent of resurfacing and improving the intersections at the two streets. It
Regional
has been in the design and planning stages for several years. Roadwork is expected on two Route 5 intersections, Longmeadow Street and Columbus Avenue, with Western Drive and Forest Glen Road and the intersection further south at Englewood Road and Converse Street. The “L” ends with work at the intersection of Converse and Laurel streets.
Specific improvements in the project plan include new and improved turn lanes, traffic signal reconstruction, new signage and pavement markings and a fiveto six-foot bicycle lane in both directions.
With its close proximity to Interstate 91, the area already experiences heavy commuter traffic, especially during weekday peak hours, according to Simmons’ town manager report. Traffic delays, detours and road closures will be necessary, which is why the town is cautioning residents about the potential increase in travel time.
Select Board member Andrew Lam said that while the project beginning is good news, it unfortunately will affect morning traffic getting onto I-91. He said the DPW will “do everything possible to mitigate traffic flow and work will be done at off-peak hours and evenings.”
The town of Longmeadow’s website states that the project is being paid for with the use of federal aid funds, with about $5.6 million in federal funding and about $1.4 million in state funding.
It also states that the project’s right-of-way plans will “require some owners of property within the project area to grant use of their property,” with the plans including some properties having existing sidewalks removed or sidewalk and driveway reconstruction.
All updates for the project will continue to be posted on the Longmeadow website under the DPW’s “engineering” section.
social services manager joins Salvation Army Mass. Division
LONGMEADOW — Danielle LaTaille, of Longmeadow, has joined The Salvation Army Massachusetts Division as Western Massachusetts regional social services manager. In her new role, LaTaille will provide guidance and regional coordination to corps case managers and officers across Western Massachusetts, including in Athol, Fitchburg, Greenfield, Holyoke, Pittsfield, Springfield and Worcester.
A lifelong Western Massachusetts resident, LaTaille has
ELHS
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ematics by expanding the ninth grade Algebra 1 course from four credits to six, with the hope it will provide additional instructional
been with The Salvation Army since 2009, working directly with individuals and families facing economic hardship. She has overseen seasonal programs including Coats for Kids, Toy for Joy and Adopt-a-Family, while also leading teams that deliver year-round social services addressing food insecurity, homelessness, underemployment and limited access to benefits. Throughout her tenure, LaTaille has built strong collaborative relationships with nonprofit agencies, local businesses
time to explore concepts in greater depths and reinforce key math skills. The English department may also implement the IXL diagnostic directly into the curriculum to address areas of weakness.
“The math department came to me with this idea of how to address some of these needs,” Paige said. “When we’re talking about those students transitioning into the high school, and our department saying those kids who might be in that group, who need a little bit more support on the math side, if they’re advocating for that and they’re asking for more time and we can build it into our schedule, I’m going to support it all day.”
With such a large drop in the math percentages, some committee members questioned the validity of the data or the seriousness with which students are taking the assessments, given they don’t count toward grades.
Committee Chair Greg Thompson asked if there was a
Why Wait?
and volunteer groups across the region. She is passionate about connecting community members with resources including food, clothing, shelter, healthcare, employment services and counseling.
“I have worked for The Salvation Army for over 16 years, and I still have friends and family question what exactly we do,” said LaTaille. “By expanding our reach across Western Massachusetts, I hope to show community members that The Salvation Army is not just a seasonal
way to contact IXL to see how accurate the diagnostic tool is, or to compare the results with other school districts to see if anyone else is seeing similar results.
“If we’re going to continue with IXL, even if we don’t use the diagnostic tool, we should know if it’s a valid tool or not,” Thompson said.
For the goal of “supporting the whole child,” the high school went into this school year with a plan to approve attendance data.
As of Feb. 4, the school was at a 96.6% attendance rate. Wright said there was also a shift in period by period attendance.
“I took on last year really broadcasting to parents the number of individual classes that kids were missing,” Wright said.
“There are just significantly fewer warnings and loss of credit notifications this year, so I think that in addition to this piece of our goal, that step has helped a lot in this area.”
The school received a silver honor roll award from College Board, which is based on a few indicators, such as 55% of the graduating class taking at least one AP course with 42% passing the exams to earn college credit. Wright said an interesting piece of that data is 19% of the students successfully took five or more AP courses over their high school careers.
Paige said that he’d love to be
presence, but a reliable community partner providing help and hope 365 days a year.”
LaTaille holds a master’s degree in psychiatric rehabilitation and substance abuse counseling from Springfield College and a bachelor’s degree in biology and sociology from Elms College.
She steps into her new role at a critical time. As more families across Massachusetts face economic hardship, inflation and housing costs, The Salvation Army continues to meet growing and evolving social
able to offer as many AP courses as possible, and the school is at or near capacity in terms of staff and student availability for AP courses. He said the school is in the “high-teens” for the number of courses offered, with a new AP physics course being brought in as well.
Blain discussed the school’s goal of creating an inclusive and supportive culture and climate, where all staff, students and community members feel a sense of belonging. The action step towards this is to “develop authentic partnerships with students and families that elevate their voices in decision making,” the status update said.
“We do this through the DEI committee, the athletic leadership council and also the school council,” Blain said. “It’s nice for us because the DEI committee and the athletic leadership council is basically made up of students, but our school council also has parents who come on a regular basis.”
The students are surveyed three times a year, and this set of data stayed fairly consistent with the fall’s. About 90% of students said they have a teacher or adult at school that they can count on to help them, 90% said they believe the school is inclusive of all backgrounds and identities and about 80% said they feel like they are a part of the school community.
services needs. The Salvation Army Massachusetts Division works every day to be a critical resource and part of the safety net by providing Christmas gifts and food, offering support for bills, and providing shelter to those without a home. The Salvation Army is uniquely positioned to serve every zip code in the commonwealth as one of the oldest and largest social services providers in the United States. For more information, visit salvationarmyma.org.
“From some of the feedback we’ve gotten, we’ve actually had some new clubs that have been formed this year,” Blain said. “We have best buddies, we’ve got an Asian culture club, and it all came from student feedback that we need to offer more and connect with different groups of people.”
She added that the departments are being asked to survey students at the course level. About 94% of students said their teachers check to make sure they understand the material.
“Each department will be developing their own discussion protocols once they collect that data,” Blain said. “The goal is to take those student responses, break them down and collate the responses, interpret that data and then discuss the implications that come from that information.”
She added that, hopefully, each department will be reflective in their practices from the information they get.
“It will provide teachers with understanding of learning needs,” Blain said. “It will improve instructional practices, strengthen student voice and engagement, monitor classroom climate, support reflective practices and also inform instructional adjustments during that course instead of waiting until the end and making those adjustments.”
This map illustrates which areas will be worked on and impacted by construction starting in early April.
Photo credit: longmeadowma.gov
HWRSD School Committee votes to approve operating budget, hears from community
By Peter Tuohy
ptuohy@thereminder.com
WILBRAHAM — Tempers flared and some tears were shed at the Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School District School Committee budget roundtable and vote on March 17. During the meeting that lasted more than five hours the financial situation was described as a “monsoon” on multiple occasions.
Joining the School Committee for the roundtable were the Hampden Selectboard, Wilbraham Select Board, state Reps. Angelo Puppolo and Brian Ashe and state Sen. Jake Oliveira.
In a motion that passed 5-2, the committee voted to bring in front of the towns an operating budget of $59.85 million for fiscal year
2027. In this number, Hampden has an assessment of $9.9 million and Wilbraham’s assessment would be $33.1 million. The towns will vote on the budget at town meetings in May.
The total regional capital budget was approved at $170,000, with Hampden’s assessment at $34,653 and Wilbraham’s at $135,347.
Chapter 70 aid for the upcoming year is currently placed at $75 per pupil, with the committee budgeting with the assumption it will be increased to $150 per pupil like it was for FY26. In the case it isn’t, $204,000 of the leftover $304,000 in the excess and deficiency fund will be used to cover that Chapter 70 gap.
Previously proposed reductions were restored in this vote, increasing Hampden’s assessment by $569,181 and Wilbraham’s by $1,154,472. The committee chose not to reduce a Green Meadows teacher and a Mile Tree teacher, while keeping three Minnechaug Regional High School gym teachers to avoid a major increase in
class sizes, which would have also brought a decreased option for course selection. Excluded from the proposed reductions as well was the Wilbraham Middle School strings program, which offers a variety of performing ensembles and classes for music students of all abilities. Christine Goonan, Stony Hill teacher and vice president of the Hampden-Wilbraham Education Association for pre-K through eighth grade, first used the term
“monsoon” when discussing the strain on teachers and educators brought on by the unresolved contract negotiations, ongoing for more than 300 days, and the current financial state in the district. She said education needs to be a priority without a cut budget.
“Our teachers are at a breaking point,” Goonan said. “We’ve been dealing with this for close to 20 years, this monsoon, it’s been creeping up on us. I’ve been here for 20 years. I know.”
Multiple community members, including HWRSD staff and parents, spoke against the proposed reduction to the middle school strings, which would have made the program a solely after school activity. One parent spoke through tears as she said the program has helped her son as an outlet and form of enrichment, and that reducing the program is “damaging to our kids.”
Wilbraham Public Library seeks artists to help create new logo
By Peter Tuohy ptuohy@thereminder.com
WILBRAHAM — The Wilbraham Public Library is calling for Wilbraham artists, high school age and above, to participate in a contest to help give their logo a fresh, new look and to help begin a new chapter at the library.
Sponsored by Wilbraham Friends of the Library, the contest has a few requirements — the logo must include one or more “adorable animals reading a book,” it must be an original artwork, in-
clude the words “Wilbraham Public Library” and no generative AI can be used. The winning logo will be used on library promotional materials and the artist will receive a $250 prize.
Artwork can be submitted from now until 5 p.m. on April 15 at the library service desk, located at 25 Crane Park Drive. It asks for submissions to be scannable on an 8by 11-inch paper. The winner will be unveiled at the library’s volunteer breakfast on April 25 from 10 a.m. to noon.
Library Director Melissa Harter
said when she started at the library six months ago, she noticed the current logo might need to be freshened up to promote library services and events for the community. She said the residents should be included because the library is for them.
“It’s not our library, my library, anything like that,” Harter said.”It’s the people’s place, and I believe they will be more interested, invested, in understanding what we have to offer if they participate … It’s open for everybody, we serve everybody. We want to make it attractive, welcoming and warm.”
Harter said anything that involves the people who fund their services and anything people can participate in, is of value and that it’s a community way of thinking, adding that she’s positive there are really talented artists in Wilbraham and this gives them the chance to use their skills.
A big goal for this contest is to attract more people into the library not only as a place to share in literacy, but to promote togetherness. To Harter, the library is a community center and the new logo is a fresh start.
“It’s a brand new beginning for this new generation of young librarians that we have here,” Harter said. “We have such a talented staff and they’ve got so much to give to the community.” She also gave kudos to the Friends of the Library and said they’re the reason the library has the programming available. “They’re just an amazing organization that are, every single day, working for our benefit,” Harter said. “All of the funding they give us goes towards our programming.”
Photo credit: Erin Dowding
See MONSOON on page 11
Students learn to skate with Olympic skater, Thunderbirds
By Peter Tuohy ptuohy@thereminder.com
WEST SPRINGFIELD — Springfield Square One preschool students were treated to an Olympic-sized ice-skating lesson during a field trip to the Olympia Ice Center in West Springfield on March 12.
The students hit the ice alongside U.S. Olympic figure skater Tiffany Scott Pryor, who competed in the 2002 Winter Olympics, members of the Springfield Thunderbirds organization with their mascot, Boomer, the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department and staff from the American Hockey League.
In addition to skating in the Winter Olympics, Pryor won the 2003 USA Championship, skated four times at the World Championship and even served as Amy Poehler’s stunt double in the 2007 film, “Blades of Glory.”
She said that it’s really excit-
By Dennis Hackett dhackett@thereminder.com
SPRINGFIELD — Food truck businesses in Springfield could soon be getting more regulations after the City Council approved the first step of a food truck ordinance at its March 9 meeting.
DPW Director Christopher Cignoli initially brought the ordinance before the council during a November meeting with initial stipulations around a permitting fee, a required 500-foot buffer from a permanent food establishment and hours of operation.
At the March 9 meeting, Cignoli recommended that the price of the permit be $350 for a six-month period with a $150 renewal fee, the buffer from residential property would be 500 feet and that the hours of operation should be expanded.
Ward 5 Councilor Lavar Click-Bruce, who chairs the Maintenance and Development Committee, explained that passing the ordinance was important and there needed to be clear guidelines in place for operating food trucks.
“We must ensure we are protecting the quality of life in our neighborhoods, this includes considerations such as hours of
ing to have as many kids as possible learn about ice-skating and that this is a “fun zone where they can be themselves and try it out.”
“I think that living in New England, it’s very important that we have some kind of activity in the wintertime,” Pryor said. “Maybe the kids will go home and ask their parents if they can do ice-skating and, you know, any activity is good activity.”
Square One is a private, nonprofit organization that provides early learning services to over 500 infants, toddlers and school-age children each day and supports 1,500 families a year to overcome challenges in their lives.
Square One Vice President of Development and Communication Kristine Allard said the field trip is a beautiful collaboration with all the organizations involved, all in the name of introducing the kids to the sport of skating.
operation … I would also like us to look at restroom access, generator noise, buffer zones, parking and the process for obtaining special permits for mobile food truck operators,” he said.
Click-Bruce added that he would like the council to have a say in the approval of the special permits.
One sticking point for many of the councilors was the fee associated with the special permit.
Ward 1 Councilor Maria Perez said that one issue food truck owners presented to the committee about the fee was the difference between operating a food truck and a restaurant.
“The presentation that they presented was very valid, because they are seasonal businesses and the type of food that they serve — this came from the committee — is not as great as the restaurants,” she said.
At Large Councilor Jose Delgado said in addition to creating guidelines for food trucks, the council should work to make it beneficial to the city in addition to being a revenue generator for the truck owners.
“Food trucks are not new; they’ve been around for a while. You go to Los Angeles, you go to any major city, they’ve got food
“Our pre-schoolers are ages 3-5,” Allard said. “This is the perfect opportunity for them to try something new and see what they like, to see what they’re naturally
truck parks, you go to Puerto Rico, they find different ways to really make a thing out of it and I think we really need to think together with the city about what we can do with that,” he said.
Ward 4 Councilor Victor Davila said that one of his concerns was parking and wanted to make sure that parking plans needed to be submitted for a special permit. Cignoli explained that in addition to the plans, there were conditions that need to be met.
“It was kind of two-fold, number 1 does the food truck business have enough parking for it, we want to make sure it does. And also, at the same time, if there is a primary business operating there that that is not negatively impacted as well,” Cignoli said.
Davila added that one of his biggest concerns was the 500foot buffer zone and said he wanted that to be resolved in committee before it passed the first step.
“We might be shooting ourselves in the foot if we start restricting 500 feet. It’s going to take a lot of spaces away that are going to be available. I’m afraid that we are going to be in return shrinking the possibility of spaces for these places to operate,” he said.
While he was in favor of
skilled at, to see where their interests are. It’s a great opportunity for some of these kids.”
Allard said the organization is really grateful for the friends
sending the ordinance back to committee, Click-Bruce said he wanted input from the rest of the council after he circulated an email to the council for feedback that he said received no responses.
“I’m begging everyone to give input; it doesn’t make sense for us to keep having meetings to keep having meetings. Give input so Chris can actually put in what we want so that way he can present to us where we’re coming at from a body and we can move forward with this,” he said.
Cignoli said that the intent was to have the ordinance ready by May 1 to make sure food truck owners are aware there is a new process. He noted that getting the information to the food truck owners could take until the end of the year.
“The intent was to have it in place for the spring so that food vendors, even though we had a great turnout from the food vendors, we do know that a lot of them probably will not know
in the community who step up to make it a magical experience. She said it gets bigger and better
Ward 5 City Councilor Lavar Click-Bruce discusses a potential food truck ordinance during the March 9 City Council Meeting.
Photo credit: Focus Springfield
From left: U.S. Olympic skater Tiffany Scott Pryor and her daughter, Savannah, members from the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department, the Springfield Thunderbirds and Square One. Reminder Publishing photo by Peter Tuohy
Square One
Continued from page 10
every year.
Olympia Ice donates the time for the students every year, the skates are on loan from the city of Springfield and West Springfield’s Bob “The Bike Man” Charland donates helmets every year, with 75 for this field trip.
“It’s great to see the kids out on the ice,” Charland said. “It’s also nice to see them working with other deputies from the [Hampden County] Sheriff’s Department, showing the positive side of law enforcement with kids.”
Western Massachusetts Regional Women’s Correctional Center Assistant Superintendent Colleen Stocks said the Sheriff’s Department and Square One have had a nice, long-standing relationship, and that she loves to see all the staff come and interact with the students.
Ordinance
Continued from page 10
that there is a new regulation that will be in place. We rather would spend the time in the winter and spring getting that information to them,” he said.
At Large Councilor Justin Hurst said the ordinance could always be revised in the future.
“An ordinance of this nature that is as complex as this one is, it’s probably impossible to get it perfect, but what I will say is that we can always come back to the table after we see it rolled out and make any necessary amendments,” he said.
Ward 8 Councilor Zaida Govan said she was concerned about an additional fee for the business owners.
“I’ve had a few food truck owners talk about how expensive it is to gettheir trucks on the road because they have to pay Fire, Police, the Health Department, a few fees associated with that and then to add another fee on top of it might be a bit of a burden,” she said.
While a motion to send the ordinance back to committee was denied, the council voted to approve the first step of the ordinance. That approval advances it to the Maintenance and Development Committee for further review before it returns to the full council for a second and final vote.
Monsoon
Continued from page 9
Oliveira brought up the funding formula and said that over the last five years, the district saw an 8.65% increase in Chapter 70 aid, while Springfield saw a 35% increase and Chicopee saw a 38% increase.
“They need it desperately, but so does Hampden-Wilbraham,” Oliveira said. “We fought very hard to change the Chapter 70 funding formula, and we were able to pass the Student Opportunity Act, which was a seven year plan for the commonwealth to write and fix that funding formula for our neediest of school districts … that’s why we’re these greater increases over time, but we also understand that this funding formula is broken for school districts like Hampden-Wilbraham.”
He added that if there is anything that can collectively be done, it’s to advocate for changes to the funding formula. School Committee member Tim Collins said children are the future, and it’s time for the state to “bite the bullet and start supporting the children.”
Collins and fellow School Committee member Sean Kennedy both voted against the operating budget motion, with Collins opting not to vote for anything that included cuts.
“I’m already on the record that I’m not going to vote for a budget that has cuts in it,” Collins said. “I will, if we can separate the two. If we can vote on the cuts, come up with a figure and then have a vote on the figure, that’ll give me the ability to get you where you want to be and also stay honest to the community out there that I’m voting against the budget.”
“They feel like little kids again and the kids have so much fun,” Stocks said. “There’s something about being in the room with people who are all so invested and take their time and their care, they love what they do. We can’t get enough of this, it just fills you up.”
She added that whether the students skate or don’t speak as much, they’re putting themselves out there by trying and doing something different, and hopefully they learn how to take a chance and be fearless.
Thunderbirds President Nathan Costa said it’s a great event that gives kids the chance to get out there and skate when they might not have the opportunity otherwise.
“It’s not just the Thunderbirds here, it’s a collaboration of other local organizations,” Costa said. “It’s just so cool to come down, take part and see the kids have some fun.”
Staff
Graphic Design Manager: Beth Thurber
Graphic
Sales Manager: Scott Greene
Account Executives: Matt Mahaney, Paula Dimauro, Lisa Nolan, Jeanette Grenier, Paul Poutre, Andy Shaw, Laura Tassistro
Classified Account Managers: Roxanne Miller-Longtin, Evan Marcyoniak, Shannon Spada
Thunderbirds mascot, Boomer, skates alongside a Square One preschool student.
Reminder Publishing photo by Peter Tuohy
DINING ENTERTAINMENT
Nationally televised comedy showcase comes to Chicopee
By Tyler Garnet tgarnet@thereminder.com
CHICOPEE — For one night only, Jess Miller is bringing the nationally touring hit comedy showcase “Funny Women of a Certain Age” to Western Massachusetts on Saturday, March 21, at the Portuguese Club, 149 Exchange St. Dominic Monti, an intern with JMC Entertainment — the company associated with this show — talked about the upcoming event.
“Instead of raising money for a charitable cause, this show is all about bringing the community together for a full evening event. Great energy, catered dinner buffet, and three top comics to help you relax and make you laugh,” Monti stated.
Guests can get ready for an exclusive night of unforgettable laughter, great food and powerhouse talent, according to the press release.
The evening includes a buffet style dinner service followed by a high-energy evening of stand-up featuring Carole Montgomery, Vicky Kuperman and Missy Hall.
“This is more than a comedy show, it’s a full evening out,” Miller said. “Great food, great company and nationally recognized talent all in one room. Western Mass. is in for a very special night.”
Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. and dinner will be served at 5:45 p.m. The show begins at 7 p.m.
Tickets are $69.
The comedy show series, created and produced by Montgomery, an acclaimed comedian, celebrates the fearless humor of women who have lived enough life to tell it like it is, according to organizers.
The show has appeared on Showtime three times, premiering as the network’s highest-rated comedy special of the year. Now, audiences in Western Massachusetts will experience the energy live and up close.
The night will feature dinner and comedy, and, as the press release says, “[is] built for women who aren’t interested in being background characters anymore.”
Monti explained, “We’re very excited to bring ‘Funny Women
of a Certain Age’ to Chicopee.
The group was formed by Carole Montgomery because, as women age, they are booked less and less as comedians. This group tells the hilarious story of what life is like as you get older, and have a truly remarkable sense of relatable humor. Whether it’s your first comedy show or one of many, their performance is more than just standing up on the stage and making you laugh — it’s a full evening out with comics who tell it as it is.”
The dinner menu, included with all tickets, features slow braised corned beef with mustard cream sauce or pasta primavera with eggplant Parmesan, butter braised cabbage with fresh herbs, roasted baby potatoes with Irish butter, glazed carrots, fresh bread and salad.
“It’s also the perfect opportunity to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day,” Monti said about the dinner buffet. “It’s just what we need in a world that is full of noise and chaos.”
With limited seating and national buzz behind the show, early purchase is strongly encouraged, according to organizers. Tickets and additional information are available at jessmillercomedy.com.
“We’re trying to bring really great comedy to Western Massachusetts, instead of just having big shows in Boston or New York City,” Monti said. “This is the type of national comedy you would see, but this time, in a local community.”
Latest ‘Resident Evil’ breathes new life into survival horror genre
By Dennis Hackett dhackett@thereminder.com
I might be a big scaredy cat when it comes to horror, but one series I cannot get enough of is Capcom’s “Resident Evil” survival horror saga.
Although some animated and live action films have had terrible reception over the years, “Resident Evil” is largely known for its survival horror and horror action games, starting with the original in 1996.
The series revolves around different protagonists dealing with the fallout from the research of the Umbrella Corporation, a pharmaceutical company secretly creating bio-organic weapons in the hopes of taking over the world by selling their viruses to the highest bidders. These viruses turn people into zombies or even more horrific
creatures, which eventually led to the destruction of Raccoon City, a town in the U.S. specifically built for Umbrella to do its research, at the end of “Resident Evil 3.” Despite the company eventually going under as result of its crimes, other organizations and Umbrella’s remnants pick up their pieces in future installments.
My first introduction to “Resident Evil” was with “Resident Evil 4,” which came out in 2005. Several years after its release, I got my first taste of it when a neighbor brought the game over for us to try, and I was immediately enamored by the game’s protagonist, Leon S. Kennedy, known for his cheesy one liners, combat prowess and being an extremely cool character beloved by many. While I did not ever finish that game, Leon stuck with me from that point on as one of my favorite characters
in the medium.
Years later, when Capcom started giving the series modern remakes, starting with 2019’s “Resident Evil 2 Remake,” which also stars Leon, I finally began to sink my teeth into the series and finished that and 2023’s “Resident Evil 4 Remake,” cementing them as two of my favorite games of all time.
When I learned that the latest installment, “Resident Evil Requiem” would be blending the series’ survival horror roots with the action from 4, 5 and 6, along with bringing Leon back as one of the game’s two protagonists, I was sold immediately.
“Requiem” also stars Grace Ashcroft, an FBI agent tasked with looking into the mysterious deaths of survivors from Raccoon City who have become infected with the T-virus, the virus from the
original game, that has been lying dormant in the survivors’ bodies for close to 30 years. In the game’s opening minutes, Grace is abducted by Victor Gideon, a former Umbrella researcher, and whisked
away to the Rhodes Hill Care Center, a house of horrors under the guise of an experimental treatment facility. Leon, a survivor of
Carole Montgomery, Vicky Kuperman and Missy Hall are all scheduled
comedy series in Chicopee.
Local school funding is not enough
In communities across Massachusetts, public school budgets are facing devastating cuts because of the limitations imposed on municipalities by the revenue-limiting Proposition 2 ½.
In the Hampden Wilbraham Regional School District, however, elected officials have inflicted pain on students and families by intentionally choking off potential revenue available to public schools.
While other communities are passing overrides to make sure students have access to the education that they deserve, in Hampden and Wilbraham re-
LETTERS
gional schools, town officials are creating a budget crisis by not raising revenue that is allowable under the provisions of Prop 2 ½.
In Wilbraham historically, the gap between what is raised and what could be raised is $1.3 million. That figure in Hampden is more than $420,000.
In addition to the reluctance to raise sufficient revenue for town services, Wilbraham has been shrinking the portion of municipal spending devoted to education. If the town had continued to fund public schools at a percentage of municipal spending we saw a decade ago, we would have been able to invest approximately $700,000 more per year in education.
The Hampden Wilbraham Education Association supports
fiscal responsibility. But that responsibility cannot be interpreted as “spending as little as possible.”
To those of us teaching in the district, “responsibility” means strategically investing in the education our students need to thrive.
The proposals under consideration to accommodate unnecessary budget cuts will undermine our work as educators and shrink opportunities for students. Raising fees for students to participate in athletics and other activities will create financial barriers for some families. Cutting spending on staff and resources will lead to larger class sizes, fewer extracurricular activities, and schools not as well equipped as they should be to deliver a modern education. Capping salaries for new hires will deter good, qualified educa-
tors from seeking jobs here Students will lose individualized attention and support.
And we do not say these things to stir fear; we say them because some of these negative impacts of underfunding for education are already plaguing our schools. We urge town officials to demonstrate leadership that will reverse that trend, not contribute to it.
It is a sad irony that as lawmakers on Beacon Hill just spent months debating and eventually passing a bill aimed at boosting literacy, here in our district we are down to having just one licensed librarian and the library in the middle school is being used as classroom space — meaning students in grades 6, 7 and 8 lose their access to books. Having un-
‘Babes, Brews & The 90’s Boom’ brings nostalgia
By Tina Lesniak Correspondent
HAMPDEN — A night of nos-
talgic music, dancing, shopping and philanthropy is coming to Hampden later this month as “Babes, Brews & The 90’s Boom – Throwing Back, While Giving Back” invites guests to relive the energy of the 1990s while supporting a meaningful cause.
The event will take place Saturday, March 28, from 5-9 p.m. at The Starting Gate at Greathorse, 128 Wilbraham Road. Proceeds from the evening will benefit Shriners Children’s New England.
Organizer Jill Moccio Connors said the idea for the event came to her while helping plan another benefit that featured a live band.
“I looked around the dance floor and saw so many of my generation out there having the
time of their lives,” Connors said.
“Dancing, enjoying, laughing and just stepping back into a time of feeling free and young.”
That moment sparked the concept for an evening built around the music and memories many adults grew up with.
“It dawned on me that we don’t really have nights out like this anymore,” she said. “The nightlife scene is quiet now, and we are older. Most of us are married with children and in a different phase of our lives. But when we hear that music from the ’90s and early 2000s, something inside ignites and we go right back to those early days when life was just fun.”
Connors said the event will bring an upscale nightclub-style experience to the community, but with a schedule that works for
busy adults.
“At our age, starting early and ending early is vitally important,” she noted.
Music will be provided by DJ Dave Costa, who will spin hits from the 1990s and early 2000s while music videos play on a 120-inch screen. Guests can also capture memories of the evening with a 360-degree photo booth from JD360 Photobooth.
Beyond the dance floor, the event will feature an upscale shopping experience through Connors’ Babes Brews & Browsing network, which highlights women-owned businesses.
More than 10 vendors will be present, including BrookMan Candles with a DIY candle bar, Studio By A with permanent jewelry, Tribe Power Bites, The Bra Ladies Boutique, Match Us
derstaffed and closed libraries in public schools directly links to reading difficulties in our student populations. This is just one example of what happens when we start to devalue and underfund all that goes into making a powerful and successful public education program. Town officials need to do what is right for the families we serve and adequately generate the revenue needed for our schools to deliver a high quality education to the students in the Hampden Wilbraham Regional School District.
Collection Boutique, Patty Cakes Gourmet Cupcakes, Birch Design & Co.’s soap bar, Nourish Valley Tallow skincare, Finch Flower Co.’s DIY flower bar and Brims With Blooms hat bar.
Guests can also enjoy complimentary express manicures from Ashlee Nadeau, owner of a new salon in Wilbraham.
Food will also be part of the evening’s offerings. Passed hors d’oeuvres will be served from 5:15-6:15 p.m., including Margherita flatbread, steak and cheese flatbread, chicken tacos with margaritas and steak tenderloin skewers with tater tots and blue cheese drizzle. A makeyour-own taco station will follow from 6-7 p.m.
Connors said the combination of entertainment and charity is central to the event’s purpose.
“We understand that giving back is extremely important in our community,” she said. “But
we also understand that having a great time while doing just that is a must as well.”
The Starting Gate at Greathorse, Connors said, provides the perfect atmosphere.
“When you step foot into the space you immediately feel as if you are escaping the norm for an evening,” she said. “Between the wow factor of the venue and the vibe of the music, I believe our guests will be very happy.”
Ultimately, Connors hopes the event gives guests a chance to reconnect with a carefree era while helping children in need.
“This is for millennials, Gen X, for us moms who want to put the minivan in the driveway for the night and hang up those mom hats,” she said. “Step back into our 20s where nothing else mattered except fun and making memories.”
Tickets are limited and available at tinyurl.com/39arye8n.
Hampden Wilbraham Education Association
Wilbraham
‘A Far Cry’ comes to Smith’s Sage Hall on March 21
NORTHAMPTON — On Saturday, March 21 at 3 p.m., Valley Classical Concerts will wrap up its 2025-26 season when the Boston-based chamber orchestra “A Far Cry” comes to Sage Hall, Smith College, Northampton. Audience members are encouraged to arrive early and enjoy a 2 p.m. conversation with the artists and longtime New England Public Media host John Montanari, as well as find convenient parking and beat the line at the box office. A Far Cry is a conductor-less
chamber orchestra whose mission is to ignite a love for music and utilize its power to bring people together locally and across the globe. Described as “a refreshing corrective to classical music’s rigid hierarchies” by WBUR, “A Far Cry” was founded on the belief that every voice deserves to be heard. Instead of one artistic director, the collective of musicians (“Criers”) curate and submit program ideas inspired by individual curiosities, the greater musical community and what is happen-
nal of weapons, taking notes from entries like 4.
Raccoon City, is also in search of a cure for the T-virus, which leads to him tracking down Gideon. Eventually, his search leads him back to where it all began, the bombedout husk of Raccoon City.
Players get the best of both worlds in terms of the gameplay that “Resident Evil” has come to offer over the years. Grace, in her first real field action, gives players the traditional survival horror mechanics from the series’ roots, focusing on puzzle solving, limited resources and plenty of scares as she is chased through the care center by both traditional zombies and even more terrifying creatures. On the other hand, Leon has been doing this for 30 years, so he’s at the top of his game, blowing through hordes of zombies with a full arse-
Capcom nailed the blend of gameplay styles, with both shining and taking up about half of the game’s 12-hour runtime. I loved the game’s brisk pace, which feels like a breath of fresh air compared to other, bloated AAA video games that can take dozens of hours to finish. One of the greatest decisions they made was offering players the choice to play in a first-person perspective like in 7 and 8, or playing in a third-person perspective like the modern remakes.
“Requiem” has a very high replay value with plenty of things for players to collect and discover, as well as the ability to carry over certain things from previous playthroughs, including weapons and the knowledge of the game’s puzzles to make those later playthroughs smoother.
“Requiem” follows a similar
ing in the world at large. Their program on March 21 is typically diverse. It will open with “SAY,” by Shelley Washington (b. 1991), a searing examination of what it means to be of mixed race in contemporary America. The program will continue with a more familiar suite drawn from Aaron Copland’s “Appalachian Spring,” in its original instrumentation for 13 players. Finally, “A Far Cry” will present Beethoven’s 6th (“Pastoral”) Symphony, but in a version for six solo strings
narrative formula to prior “Resident Evil” games, starting as grounded as you can for a zombie game before exploding into an off the wall experience full of action and crazy set pieces. The game also serves as a capper for the saga with Umbrella, sprinkling the seeds for a new, bigger threat in future entries. It is also chock full of references and nods
arranged by Beethoven’s contemporary Michael Gotthard Fischer. Tickets may be purchased at the door or in advance on Valley Classical Concerts’ website, valleyclassicalconcerts.org. Adult tickets are $35. College students are $10, while students 18 and under, Smith students and staff, and Massachusetts Card to Culture holders are admitted free of charge. VCC particularly encourages patrons to bring their children and grandchildren and share with them the excitement of live
to the prior games, serving as a great farewell to the series’ history while leaving room for familiar characters to return.
chamber music.
Saturday’s concert will be in memory of Valley Classical’s President Dr. William Harbison, a devoted music lover who worked tirelessly on behalf of VCC, the Springfield Symphony, and the cultural life of the region. Valley Classical Concerts was founded as “Music in Deerfield” in 1979. Now based in Northampton, their mission is to bring world-class professional performers of classical chamber music to the Pioneer Valley.
“Resident Evil Requiem” is an excellent blend of the series roots in survival horror and its later action-oriented entries, while also finding a balance between treading familiar ground with fan-favorite characters and forging new paths with new characters. “Requiem” serves as a great entry point for new players while also giving longtime players one of the series’ best entries.
“Resident Evil Requiem” is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2 and PC.
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
Sharlene M. Benson
Bruce N. Centerbar
Maria Beatriz DosSantos
Jean-Louis G. Gagne
Marion J. Grenier
Rosanna Potorski Parks
William R. Parenteau
Pauline M. Pouliot
Christopher P. Scala
EAST LONGMEADOW
Jane Sonack Bedard
Annette R. Levesque
Leonard Napier Palmer Jr.
Josephine A. Raimer
Sigmund A. “Siggy” Saracino
Michael J. Del Viscio
HAMPDEN
Chrysanthi “Hrisa” Papoutsakis
HOLYOKE
James H. Fleming
Mary Ann Labreche
Shirley A. LeTellier
Genowefa Nawolski (Siwik)
LONGMEADOW
Thelma A. Gardner
Barbara S. Thomas
LUDLOW
Sandra Lee Kulig
Dorothy “Dottie” Szlichta
SOUTH HADLEY
Margaret Dumbaugh
Leo M. Roberts
Barbara L. Roy
SPRINGFIELD
Stephen J. Collins Jr.
Vincent A. Falcone
Jacqueline B. Ferioli
Dorothy Louise “Dotti” Hershman
Most Reverend Timothy A. McDonnell
Elsie Paschal
Nespor
Michael W. Rodd
Marion T. Tatro
WILBRAHAM
Lawrence P. Cloutier
Mary M. Parker
Martha-Jane C. Toelken
Brady LaBrie, Enzo Hrycay, Billy LaPalm and Brayden Sullivan (L-R) vie for the puck at mid-ice.
Joey Comes (L) is hauled down rewarding Minnechaug with a power play.
His shot turned aside, Longmeadow’s Matt Desrosiers chases after the puck.
Jackson Blais makes the second period save for Longmeadow.
Tony D’Angelo of Longmeadow skates after the puck with Minnechaug’s Dom Florentino.
The Lancers Ty Russell (10) and the Falcons’ Ryan Donavan battle in the corner.
Minnechaug’s Dom Florentino flips the puck into the Longmeadow end.
