A new nonprofit is rolling into Western Massachusetts this spring with a simple but powerful mission.
Local creatives promote works
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People of all ages had the opportunity to step into the various worlds of storytelling, and meet those who create them, at the Pleasant View Senior Center’s Artists and Authors Fair on April 23.
LONGMEADOW
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Select Board approves removal of six trees
Construction of the new Longmeadow Middle School is calling for the removal of six mature trees and a resident is taking action in an attempt to prevent it.
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East Longmeadow woman donates kidney to husband
By Peter Tuohy ptuohy@thereminder.com
EAST LONGMEADOW — One
East Longmeadow couple is not only now connected by love, but by a transplant, after a resident donated her kidney to help her husband fight Complement 3 Glomerulopathy, an extremely rare kidney disease.
Rachel Morales has been with her husband, Julian Morales, for 20 years. This unexpected journey began when Julian had an appointment after work with his primary care physician to explain some symptoms he had been feeling in August 2024. He was advised to go to the emergency room, arriving with very high blood pressure and very low hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that assists in transporting oxygen throughout the body.
Julian was going into kidney failure with severe fluid buildup. He needed three blood transfusions before being transported to Baystate Medical Center, spending eight days on emergency dialysis with four hour rounds each day. His kidneys were only functioning at 5% when he arrived and painful biopsies confirmed the C3G diagnosis.
C3G only affects one in a million people and impedes how well the kidneys work. There is no cure but treatment can help slow it down and reduce symptoms.
It can lay dormant for years until something tips the scale, which was a bad case of poison ivy for Julian, according to Rachel. He
never had any kidney problems or a family history of them.
He initially had over 60 pounds of fluid removed from his body, losing over 100 pounds over the whole journey.
“Nobody even knows much about it, that’s how incredibly rare this disease is,” Rachel said. “It was heartbreaking, absolutely heartbreaking thinking the man that has pushed through so much and done so much in his life and has done so much for everybody, like he is the giver for everyone
else. He never asks for anything … he always has a positive outlook through everything, and I think that really took us as far as we did, because he has such a positive outlook on life. It leaves you speechless to think about how sick he was.”
Julian continued hemodialysis, or in center dialysis, for three days a week and four hours each day after being released from the hospital. Rachel said he entered the transplant phase after learning his kidneys wouldn’t bounce back
to a functional level, and that a transplant would be his best bet at a “normal life.”
His care was moved to Tufts Medical Center in Boston after finding a doctor interested in C3G, before being transferred to Boston Medical Center. He had over 90,000 people in front of him on the wait list and would have had to wait over 10 years for a transplant. He switched to peritoneal dialysis treatment at home during
Julian and Rachel Morales at Boston Medical Center.
Western Mass Wheelers brings the outdoors back to seniors
By Tina Lesniak Correspondent
EAST LONGMEADOW — A new nonprofit is rolling into Western Massachusetts this spring with a simple but powerful mission: helping people get back outside.
Western Mass Wheelers will officially launch its first full season with a ribbon cutting on May 7, introducing the community to a program designed to get people who would otherwise have difficulty doing so back out into nature and the outdoors. At its heart is a specially designed adaptive tricycle, where a passenger, known as a “Wheeler,” sits comfortably in a front chair while a trained volunteer pedals from behind.
“Western Mass Wheelers is a nonprofit that provides outdoor bike rides for individuals who cannot or choose not to pedal independently, with a primary focus on seniors,” said founder and President Jill Strain. “Community members, local leaders and supporters will have the opportunity to see firsthand what we do and even get to experience a ride for themselves.”
For Strain, the idea is deeply personal. “My mother lived with dementia, and during that time, both when she was at home and later in a care facility, there were simply no outdoor activity programs available for her,” she said. “Being outside, feeling the sun and the wind, was something so simple, yet so hard to come by.”
That experience stayed with her. When she later discovered a similar program in Maine while
SO THAT REMINDS ME
considering a career shift, the path forward became clear. “I could see how much it was needed right here in our own community,”
Strain said. “I wanted families to have what mine didn’t: the gift of seeing their loved one outside, feeling joy and connected to the world around them.”
A ride with Western Mass Wheelers is designed to be more than just transportation; it’s an experience. Whether departing from a private home or a senior living facility, each outing begins with anticipation. “For those living at facilities, residents come outside together to wait their turn to ride,
On the latest episode of “So That Reminds Me” regular host Tyler Garnet was put into the guest chair as hosts Dennis Hackett and Ryan Feyre talked with him about the budget issues in South Hadley and the challenges covering a difficult budget season as voters shot down two potential overrides. Dennis and Ryan also give updates on some stories around the area and a quick sports minute with the NHL and NBA playoffs in full swing and baseball season getting underway. Head to thereminder.com/ourpodcast or search “So That Reminds Me” on your favorite podcasting platform to listen.
often cheering and clapping as their friends set off,” Strain said. “There’s a real sense of community and excitement even before the biking even starts.”
Once seated, the Wheeler takes the lead. “They guide the ride, choosing the route and how long they’d like to go,” she explained. “Our volunteer pilots do all the pedaling.”
The results, Strain said, are immediate and moving. “There are so many smiles, and such wonderful conversations. Wheelers reminisce about their childhoods, their families, their careers, while pointing out interesting details and noticing the nature around them.”
The organization is primarily focused on seniors, including those living with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, as well as individuals with limited mobility, groups that often face barriers to outdoor recreation. “Loneliness and social isolation are serious and growing challenges for older adults in our region,” Strain said, noting that many lack access to
programs that support both mental and physical well-being.
“We know that time spent outdoors improves mood, reduces anxiety and brings a sense of connection and purpose,” she added.
“What makes adaptive biking so powerful is that it addresses physical activity and social connection at the same time.”
Behind the scenes, a network of volunteers and community partners makes the program possible. “Our volunteers are the heart of the program,” Strain said. “It truly takes a village.”
Senior living communities, adult day programs, and senior centers across the region have already begun incorporating rides into their offerings, while local businesses, foundations, and even state leaders have contributed support.
The May 7 ribbon cutting marks a major milestone after nearly three years of development and a smaller “test and learn” season in 2025. “Seeing nearly three years of hard work come to fruition and being able to mark that moment with the people who
have supported us means everything to me,” Strain said.
Looking ahead, she hopes the organization will continue to grow, expanding its fleet, reaching more communities, and serving more riders across Western Massachusetts. But her vision goes beyond expansion.
“Right now, access to outdoor activity for seniors is the exception,” Strain said. “I want it to become the expectation.”
For those interested in getting involved, whether as riders, volunteers or supporters, Strain emphasizes that the organization is built on community. “Our work is only made possible because of community,” she said. “And the more people who are part of it, the further we can go.”
The Western Mass Wheelers Together We Ride event is scheduled for Thursday, May 7, from 1-3 p.m. at The Depot at Graham Central Station, located at 64 Maple St. For more informationa about the Western Mass Wheelers, head to westernmasswheelers.org.
Left to right, volunteers with the Western Mass Wheelers pose for a photo with one of the “Wheelers.” One of the Wheelers poses for a photo with a Western Mass Wheelers volunteer on one of their signature tricycles. A Wheeler waves to the camera on one of the Western Mass Wheelers’ tricycles.
Reminder Publishing submitted photos
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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: Teen Spot — Fridays 2-4 p.m.
• Teen Spring Crafternoons — Thursdays at 2:30 p.m.
Children programs: Origami — Wednesday, May 6, at 4:30 p.m.
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.
• Scent of Calm Workshop Monday, May 4, at 1 p.m.
ELCAT Table Top — Tuesday, May 5, 10 a.m. to noon. Meet Jamie, ELCAT’s Director.
DONOR
the transplant phase for seven days a week and eight hours a day, which also involved surgery for a different kind of catheter. He spent a total of 78 weeks on dialysis treatment.
“Doing home dialysis added another layer onto this journey,” Rachel said. “Every month it involved ordering and organizing medical supplies, 45 boxes of 15-pound fluid for treatment, adding another drain to our bathroom and sanitizing everything, all the
TOWN EVENTS
• Belly Dance — Thursdays beginning on May 7 at 10:30 a.m. $5 per class. Payable to instructor.
• Mother’s Day Tea — Friday, May 8, at 1 p.m.
NORCROSS HOUSE TEA & SWEETS FUN-RAISER
The Norcross House will be hosting its first annual Tea & Sweets Fun-raiser on Saturday, May 9, from 2-4 p.m.
• Come enjoy a selection of Tea and Sweets from our local partners. Raffle baskets and more fun. $15-$25 per person.
• Visit norcrosscenter.org to learn more and buy tickets. Proceeds benefit the preservation of this historical building in the East Longmeadow community.
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.
• Crafts with Kim: Special Make & Take “Spring into Summer” Album — Tuesday, May 5th, from 10 a.m. to noon. This is a freee event. Registration is required.
• May’s Scrapbooking Class “Spring into Summer” Theme — Tuesday, May 5, from 1 p.m. to
time, as infection is a huge factor in all of this.”
Rachel said she knew she’d be his donor from the beginning when she found out they were the same blood type, and her journey officially began with 27 vials of blood work and 24 hour urine tests. She then had a year of more blood work, physicals, CT scans, specialized renal tests and psychosocial evaluations. Julian endured the same to ensure his body was up to even receiving a transplant. She said it was all worth it.
Married couples are said to have a one in 100,000, or .001%, chance of being a genetic match
3 p.m. Drop-ins welcome.
Lobby Learning: Stratum Dermatology, Skin Cancer Awareness — Thursday, May 7.
• Ballroom Dance Class Demo — Thursday, May 7, from 2:30–3:30 p.m. Free. Memory Café: Rock Painting — Friday, May 8, at 10:15 a.m.
• Lunch and Learn: Sleep Tips with Dr. Wendy Hurwitz — Friday, May 8, at noon. Cost is a suggested donation of $3.00 per person for lunch.
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 programs, call 413-565-4181, or head to longmeadowlibrary.org.
All ages programs: Puzzle and Board Game Swap Collection — Friday, May 1, through Thursday, June 4. Storrs Library will be collecting puzzles and board games from May 1 to June 4, for a puzzle and board game swap on June 5 and 6. Please bring complete puzzles and board games in good condition.
Youth programs:
BOLT: Board of Library Teens — Monday, May 4, 4:30-5:30
for a kidney transplant. Rachel found out she was the exact match.
“After a very long year of testing for both of us, we got our date for transplant, October 2025,” Rachel said. “We were ecstatic, but were crushed when we received notice there were some nodules in his lungs that they needed to test more. He endured more CT, MRI and a bronchoscopy.”
Additional tests eventually gave them the go-ahead and the transplant surgery was completed on Feb. 13. Julian is now officially off dialysis treatment and well on the road to recovery. She spent seven weeks in recovery
• Newbies (ages birth-18months) — Tuesday, May 5, 10:45-11:30 a.m. Grow Play Learn (ages birth5years) — Wednesday, May 6, 9:30-10:30 a.m. Mass Kid Lit Fest: Vicki Johnson — Wednesday, May 6, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
• Legos at the Library (gr. K+) — Thursday, May 7, 3:30-4:15 p.m.
• More Than Mom’s Drop in Playgroup — Saturday, May 9, 9:1510:15 a.m.
Adult programs: Traveling Library — Monday, May 4, 2:15-4:30 p.m.
• VIRTUAL: Play Along Ukulele from Home! — Monday, May 4, 7-8 p.m. Please register in advance at longmeadowlibrary. org! This program will take place via Zoom.
Adult Center Book Club — Tuesday, May 5, 12:30-1:30 p.m. This month’s selection: “Broken Country” by Claire Leslie Hall Tech Tuesdays — Tuesday, May 5, 1:30-4:30 p.m.
and is now back at work as a paraprofessional.
“There’s been so many little things that have just come up that we didn’t realize we were missing out on,” Rachel said. “He was on a fluid restriction, food restrictions, working restrictions, and now we’ve been cleared to do all of it. We’re back to normal activities and I’m seeing bones in his hands I haven’t seen in 10 years. He didn’t realize how sick he was until he started to feel better … He’s on a really high dose of immunosuppressants in the hope that this disease will not get into the new kidney, however that is a pos-
• Music Appreciation with Rob Humberston — Wednesday, May 6, 1-2:30 p.m.
• Trolleys in Connecticut & Massachusetts: A Look Back — Wednesday, May 6, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
• Weekly Writers Group — Thursday, May 7, 9:30-11:00 am Bocce on the Lawn — Thursday, May 7, 11 a.m. to noon.
• Storrs Stitchers (Drop-In) — Friday, May 8, 10-11:30 a.m.
• Relational Literacy Lab: Writing Meaningful Thank You Messages — Saturday, May 9, 11 a.m. to noon.
LAG B’OMER AT LYA
Mark your calendar for the Lag B’omer celebration at Lubavitcher Yeshiva Academy located at 1148 Converse St. in Longmeadow on Tuesday, May 5 from 4:30-7 p.m. LYA is organizing an evening of outdoor fun and activity for the entire community.Cost is $5 a person for unlimited rides and $10 a person for unlimited rock wall. A barbecue with family prices will feature hot dogs, hamburgers, salads and dessert and will begin at 5 p.m. Vegetarian and vegan options available.
• Fiber Arts Meeting — Tuesday, May 5, 6-7:30 p.m. Words off the Page: Springfield Museums Writers Speak — Tuesday, May 5, 6:30-7:30 p.m. VIRTUAL: 50+ Job Seekers Networking Group — Wednesday, May 6, 9:30-11:30 a.m.
sibility. As of now, it’s doing everything it should and I feel great, I have no long term effects from it. It’s the best and easiest decision I’ve ever made.”
Rachel said she and Julian were meant to be together and that she would do it again in a heartbeat.
“It has brought us so much closer,” Rachel said. “Every day I look at him and I’m in awe of the man that he’s become and is becoming, and just his strength through all of this … he’s so grateful, he just can’t say thank you enough and I say ‘you say thank you enough, this is it, this was my choice, I wanted to do it.’”
Local creatives promote works at Artists and Authors Fair
By Peter Tuohy ptuohy@thereminder.com
EAST LONGMEADOW — People of all ages had the opportunity to step into the various worlds of storytelling, and meet those who create them, at the Pleasant View Senior Center’s Artists and Authors Fair on April 23.
The event was funded in part by a grant from the East Longmeadow Cultural Center, which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council and the East Longmeadow Public Library.
Local authors and artists set up tables in the Senior Center to promote their skills and sell their work while mingling with event goers from 10 a.m. to noon. A musical performance on the acoustic guitar was also provided by Roger Tincknell from 10-11 a.m.
The library also had a table at the event with coloring materials and a display for the Massachusetts Center for the Book monthly reading challenges. Reading a book set in Massachusetts is the challenge for May, a book with a sympathetic villain for June and a book found at a Little Free Library, tag sale or used bookstore for July.
Historical Commission member George Kingston set up a table with his own work, one of them being “James Madison Hood: Lincoln’s Consul to the Court of Siam,” detailing Captain James Madison Hood’s life and the political and economical turmoil of the mid-19th century. His website is georgeckingston.com
Kyle Palazzi detailed his 2025 release, “The Body is a Temple,” a horror novella about a woman who finds a soaring sense of confidence after going on a new and revolutionary weight-loss drug, Barbidol, before developing unsettling cravings and recieving a terrifying warning about the drug as her body transforms.
Palazzi also showcased his
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of his releases.
Top row, from left: Event goers fill into the Pleasant View Senior Center, walking through each table. A free raffle for patrons, giving away books and art. Middle row, from left: George Kingston poses with his work. Betsy O’Neill-Sheehan stands behind her table with her books, “Splinter” and “Agi and the Thought Compass.” Bottom row, from left: The front cover of “Agi and the Thought Compass” and a sneak peak at an upcoming release. The East Longmeadow Public Library’s display of books set in Massachusetts, the May challenge in the Massachusetts Center for the Book 2026 Reading Challenge. Author and Poet Thomas John Skarzynski sits behind the table
Reminder Publishing photos by Peter Tuohy See
For the 12th Hampden District, we need walk, not talk Massachusetts residents deserve leaders who invest in their communities, not just talk about it. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case in the 12th Hampden District. In 2006, Rep. Angelo Puppolo was endorsed by the Massachusetts Teachers Association. Speaking to The Republican on the endorsement, he said, “Strengthening public education at all levels is a cornerstone of my beliefs, and is an important issue for our district.”
Yet despite education being a supposed “cornerstone” of his beliefs, Puppolo’s voting record tells a different story. On three occasions in 2016, 2017 and 2019, he voted against the Fair Share Amendment, also known as the “Millionaire’s Tax”. Passed in 2022, the amendment enacted a 4% surtax on residents making more than a million dollars per year. While Puppolo opposed the Fair Share Amendment, his challenger, Michael Lachenmeyer, supports using it to invest in our schools. On his platform page, he states “Residents who make $50,000 a year should
LETTERS
not be taxed at the same rate as those who make $500,000.” For Lachenmeyer, this policy is a no-brainer, especially considering the benefits public education has reaped since the Fair Share Amendment was passed.
In May 2025, the legislature passed a bill investing in public education and transportation across the Commonwealth. It provides support for special education programs, as well as funding for construction projects. All of this was possible because of Fair Share Support. “This bill answers the clear message that our residents sent us in 2022— to invest these dollars across the state to continue building the high-quality education and transportation systems Massachusetts deserves,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka. The results are clear: millions invested back into our schools. These are investments Wilbraham, Monson, East Longmeadow, and Springfield need. Constituents deserve better than an elected official who pays lip service to investing in our communities, yet fails to utilize his power to do so. As the daughter of a public school teacher, I’ve seen what happens when we fail to invest in our schools. My mother left her special education job in Chicopee for Wilbraham, not by choice, but
because the pay and support simply weren’t there. This is a story that’s far from unique. According to a study by Education Resource Strategies, schools serving lower-income communities, like Chicopee, lost 29% of their teachers over a year. Wealthier districts lost 19%. That’s exactly the kind of gap Fair Share funding should fix.
The numbers don’t lie. When we don’t invest in education, the most economically stressed communities in the Commonwealth are hit the hardest. Who better to contribute more than the wealthiest among us?
We deserve a representative who will fight to make that a reality. We need someone, like Michael Lachenmeyer, who will take action. Please join me in voting for him on September 1.
Cayla Bartosz Wilbraham
Supporting the legislative audit
Many thanks to Sarah Heinonen of the Reminder on her interview with Massachusetts State Auditor Diana DiZoglio on her ongoing efforts to audit the Massachusetts state legislature.
From left, Kyle Palazzi poses with his two current releases, “The Body is a Temple” and “All We Have to Fear.” Author Linda Cardillo promotes a wide variety of her releases. Musician Roger Tincknell performs songs on the acoustic guitar to senior center guests and event patrons.
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brand new release, “All We Have to Fear,” a “bleakly honest, darkly funny exploration of marriage, parenthood and the weight of unresolved trauma – ultimately asking whether love, it its imperfect forms, can be enough to save us from ourselves,” according to the novel’s description.
Palazzi can be found on social media, @kylepalazziwrites.
Betsy O’Neill-Sheehan had
Reminder Publishing photos by Peter Tuohy
two of her books on display, the first place Writers Digest winner “Splinter” and the children’s book, “Agi and the Thought Compass.” “Splinter” is told from two character perspectives and will “take you on a dive into the heart of a survivor, through college parties and chess games, fire and confusion, friendship and hope,” according to the book’s description.
“Agi and the Thought Com pass,” with illustrations by Manuel S. Herrera, helps learners of all ages navigate their thoughts. She can be found at betsyoneillsheehan.com.
On the November 2024 Massachusetts state ballot voters approved Democratic State Auditor DiZoglio to audit the state legislature. The ballot initiative won with a 72% approval totaling over two million votes . I contacted my State Senator Jake Oliveira office numerous times during 2025 for updates with responses from from one of his aides that ranged from no updates to the ballot question raised Massachusetts Constitutional issues.
State Senate President Karen Spilka and State House Speaker Ron Mariano and Attorney General Andrea Campbell continue to stonewall on the ability to audit the state Legislature. The issue is now tied up with legal issues all the way up to Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court. If this ballot question was a state constitutional issue why was it approved by AG Campbell and what was the cost to state taxpayers?
The Question 1 2024 ballot results were a clear indication that Massachusetts residents want more transparency and accountability from the Legislature after decades of questionable leadership in the Massachusetts State House.
Fran Bogdanowicz Longmeadow
Longmeadow students to perform ‘Little Women’
By Peter Tuohy ptuohy@thereminder.com
LONGMEADOW — A cornerstone of American literature, created in Massachusetts nearly two centuries ago, is being brought to life on-stage by the Longmeadow High School Drama Club.
The stage adaption of Louisa May Alcott’s “Little Women,” presented by the LHS Drama Club, opens on May 1 at 7 p.m. with a second performance on May 2 at 5 p.m. Tickets will be available for $10 at the door of the LHS auditorium.
“Little Women” is the 1868 coming-of-age novel set in New England that follows March sisters, Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy, detailing their lives from childhood to becoming adults in the wake of the American Civil War. Alcott wrote it in her family home in Concord, using the house as inspiration for the March residence.
Clara Hindley plays Meg, Sophia Rea plays Jo, Evia Valania plays Beth and Asia Mae Silvi plays Amy.
The productions at LHS are focused on being student-driven, according to Drama Club
Advisor Julia Fournier. The club comes to a consensus on which students will direct based on who is interested in the position, with this production being co-directed by a senior and junior. Choosing the show is also a collaborative process, with students suggesting ideas and holding rounds of voting before coming to a pick.
She added that the student directors run auditions and then the advisors work together with the directors to decide casting. Day-to-day rehearsals
By Peter Tuohy ptuohy@thereminder.com
LONGMEADOW — Road widening construction outside of the new Longmeadow Middle School is calling for the removal of six mature trees alongside Williams Street and a resident is taking action in an attempt to prevent it. The Select Board voted to remove four trees at 410 Williams St. at a hearing on April 6 and the other two at 458 Williams St. at a hearing on April 16 after presentations from Tighe & Bond Principal Engineer Jean Christy and Tree Warden Leah Wallner.
The process began with Wallner denying the removal due to resident objections at a public shade hearing on March 26. She told Reminder Publishing that she is required under state law to deny the removal if the public makes an objection, regardless of her own review or opinion.
Tighe & Bond, the engineering consultants for the $151 million middle school build, called for a hearing with the Select Board to appeal Wallner’s decision. Christy said the removals are necessary to accommodate planned roadway improvements at the
middle school, specifically road widening to make room for a leftturn lane into the middle school while driving east.
Wallner then submitted a letter to the Select Board stating that it was her professional opinion that removal should be approved for the six trees on April 2.
Davey Resource Group, an organization hired by the town to conduct a conditions assessment of over 9,000 trees in 2022, found that these six trees were all in fair or good condition, but Wallner has found since then that the construction would eventually lead
to the mortality of the trees due to root loss over time. She added that the trees may also become a high threat to windthrow toward the sidewalk and household sides of the street if not removed.
She also said that the two trees at 458 Williams St. were found to have trunk decay and previous construction damage.
“It is my job to protect the trees to the fullest of my abilities, but I also need to advocate for the removal of trees when the risk of failure exceeds an acceptable level,” Wallner said in her letter.
“While under non-construction circumstances, I would advocate for these trees to be retained or for plans to be altered. As the plans are not to be altered, and area abutting a middle school is highly trafficked by pedestrians, the level of risk for retaining these trees well exceeds the acceptable level due to the volume of targets and the consequence of failure.”
Select Board member Dan Zwirko said that this is a standard practice, done to ensure that roads are safe.
“We have a combined middle school that’s going to be built in this location,” Zwirko said.
“There’s going to be more students walking, riding, getting
dropped off at this location, and what [Wallner] said, who’s also an arborist by the way, that when the trunk or the base of the tree is affected, it could cause potential safety harm or danger to the children. To me, that’s really the most important piece of all of this. I don’t think any of us want to remove trees in town, I think we all love Longmeadow for the various trees across all of the town, but at the same point, we’re also going to be planting several additional trees as well to mitigate the impact.”
Select Board member Andrew Lam asked Wallner if planting more trees would be possible, and Wallner said that she already has submitted a grant application to plant 65 trees along Bliss, Williams and Laurel streets.
“We’ve been averaging almost 200 tree plantings a year,” Wallner said. “We’ve exceeded removals with plantings. It would be no sweat off my back to add new trees. I understand we’re not putting in an automatically mature tree and it will take time to get large.”
Resident Michael Kallock told Reminder Publishing there was
HAMPDEN/WILBRAHAM
Wilbraham ballot finalized as annual town election approaches
By Peter Tuohy ptuohy@thereminder.com
WILBRAHAM — The Wilbraham annual town election ballot has been finalized by Town Clerk Deborah Brennan and shows contested races for the Select Board and the Board of Assessors.
The election will be held on May 16 at Minnechaug Regional High School from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Those who are not currently registered to vote must do so by May 1 at 5 p.m. if they would like to vote in this election or the Annual Town Meeting on May 11, also held at Minnechaug at 6:30 p.m.
The last day to request a vote by mail ballot is May 11 at 5 p.m. The town clerk’s office is reminding voters that vote by
mail applications are on the town website and the in-person office, 240 Springfield St., open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Vote by mail ballots can also be requested at sec.state.ma.us/MailInRequestWeb/MailInBallot.
One seat is open on the Select Board and Chair Michael Squindo is seeking reelectionto a threeyear term, but is challenged by newcomer Ryan Thomas Costello. Squindo joined the Select Board in 2023 after winning his race against incumbent Carmela Blair by just 28 votes.
One seat is open on the Board of Assessors as well, with Chair John Wesolowski seeking reelection to another three-year term after uncontested runs in 2020 and 2023. The race this year will look
out who you are, balancing family and personal goals, navigating relationships — are very relatable for high school students.”
are in the hands of the students from then on.
“As advisors, we’re there to guide and support and make sure everything is running safely and smoothly, but we try to step back and let students take ownership,” Fournier said. “A lot of our role ends up being behind the scenes, coordinating sets, costumes, props, parent volunteers, all of that.”
Fournier said “Little Women” stood out during the selection process because of the timeless nature of the story.
“A lot of students already had some connection to it, either through the book or a movie version, and it has such a great range of characters, many of whom are the same age as our actors,” Fournier said. “There’s really something for everyone, and even though it’s set during the Civil War, the themes — figuring
One of the most important parts of the rehearsal process in theater is a shared sense of purpose, according to Fournier. She said when everyone involved understands the story being told and feels invested in the material, everything starts to come together.
“Our students are super talented, of course, but that sense of teamwork and ownership is what really makes a production feel cohesive,” Fournier said. “One of my favorite parts of this process has just been watching everything come together. The students have worked incredibly hard, especially with limited resources. We’ve gotten really creative with sourcing and putting together 1800s-style costumes and props, and it’s been amazing to see their problem-solving and teamwork. It’s also been really rewarding to watch our student directors grow into their roles and lead the group.”
a little different for Wesolowski, as he is met by challenger Daniel Fernandes this time around.
Two seats are open for Wilbraham representatives in the Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School District School Committee.
School Committee member Michael Tirabassi is seeking reelection for his second term. He joined the committee in 2023 with 945 votes, winning alongside incumbent and current member Sherrill Caruana, who joined in 2017 and is not running for reelection. Newcomer William Metzger Jr. will run for the open seat.
John Caltabiano is running uncontested for reelection on a three-year term in the Water Commission. He joined in 2025 with 529 votes on a one-year
term. Aaron James Shepard is also running uncontested for a five-year term with the Wilbraham Housing Authority.
Two seats are open for the Library Board of Trustees. Candidates include incumbent Ronnie Haislip-Hansberry and Marylou
nothing wrong with the trees and that he made it clear to the Select Board to leave them alone. Western Housing Court public documents show Kallock filed a civil complaint against the town, each member of the Select Board and Wallner on April 23, claiming violations of Chapter 87, Sections 1-4 of state law.
“The whole thing is not necessary,” Kallock said. “They have nothing to do with the Williams Middle School project, nothing in both time and distance, so that’s essentially what this case is about.”
He said he’s looking for a pre-
liminary injunction to prevent the trees from coming down and that he wants a judge to decide before anything happens. Public documents also show a hearing for the preliminary injunction request was scheduled for April 29 at 9 a.m.
Town Manager Lyn Simmons told Reminder Publishing that the town’s standard practice is not to comment on pending litigation, but that she hadn’t received any filing at the time of publication.
Construction for the project is set to begin in July with a fall 2028 move-in.
Fabbo. Haislip-Hansberry joined the board after winning an uncontested one-year term in 2025. Open seats with no certified candidates are for three-year and two-year terms on the Cemetery Commission and a five-year term on the Planning Board.
WILBRAHAM ELECTION INFORMATION
WILBRAHAM — The Wilbraham town clerk’s office announces that early vote by mail/absentee ballots are now available for the upcoming annual town election scheduled for Saturday, May 16. A request in writing is required for obtaining a ballot. An application to request a vote by mail/absentee ballot can be found on the town website or by going here: wilbraham-ma.gov/934/ Vote-By-Mail. You may also apply online for a vote by mail ballot here: state.ma.us/MailInRequestWeb/MailInBallot.aspx. The last day and time to apply for a vote by mail ballot or absentee mail in ballot is Monday, May 11, at 5 p.m. The last day and time to apply for an in-person absentee ballot is Friday, May 15, at noon. Please call 413-596-2800, ext. 200 if you have any questions.
Longmeadow warrant finalized as Annual Town Meeting approaches
By Peter Tuohy ptuohy@thereminder.com
LONGMEADOW — The warrant has been finalized for Longmeadow’s Annual Town Meeting, located at Longmeadow High School on May 12 at 7 p.m.
Voters will look at 32 articles in total, many concerning the transferring, appropriation or approval of town funds, all of which have been recommended by the Finance Committee besides Article 7, the fiber project. Others look toward amending the town bylaws.
Article 2 looks to transfer the sum of $450,000 from available funds supplementing the fiscal year 2026 snow and ice budget after a harsher winter caused costs to exceed the original budget appropriation of $125,000.
Article 3 sees if the town will transfer $12,000 to fund commemoration events and activities to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, coordinated by the Revolution 250 Task Force.
Article 4 is to fund DPW fence repairs for $15,000, along with annual playground inspection and maintenance for $5,000. The goal is to eventually fund these through the operating budget, but the FY27 budget did not allow for the funds, according to the Finance Committee.
Article 5 looks to add $50,000 to the other post-employment benefits stablization fund. OPEB are benefits other than pension or retirement income that are earned during employment but payable upon retirement.
Center Elementary School is in focus, as Article 6 would appropriate, borrow or transfer money to pay for final design and construction costs for the roof. The amount of money is to
LONGMEADOW — On Sunday, May 3, the Longmeadow Democratic Town Committee will host its Democrat of the Year Breakfast at Twin Hills Country Club in Longmeadow, where the committee will honor Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni as the 2026 Democrat of the Year.
Appreciated for his commit-
be expended under the direction of the School Building Committee. Phase one of a flat roof replacement was approved at the Annual Town Meeting in 2022 for $695,000, but an updated estimate exceeded funds for the project. The article requires a ⅔ majority vote to pass.
Article 7 for the proposed fiber project has been heavily discussed going into Town Meeting and proposes the town will pay about $8.6 million for the first phase and half of phase two of the $27 million project’s borrowing plan. This would increase average property taxes by about $97 per year for a total of about $2,140 over the loan’s 20-year span. The article requires a ⅔ majority vote to pass.
The first phase and first half of the second phase would include the construction of the central fiber hub and the connection to 1,600 single-family homes, 30 commercial units and 20 multi-dwelling units.
The $8.6 million comes from an assumed 40% take rate, the percentage of residents who sign onto fiber.
Select Board member Vineeth Hemavathi said at a meeting on April 6 that the assumption comes from experiences in other Western Massachusetts towns with fiber, where 40% has been the lowest take rate seen, adding that a fiber project has not failed in any town.
More coverage of the fiber project can be found at thereminder.com.
Article 8 is to see if the town will accept the act creating the Massachusetts Municpal Wholesale Electric Comany, apply to MMWEC for admission as a member and agree to comply with the terms and conditions of membership, fixed by the by-
laws of MMWEC.
MMWEC is a nonprofit that helps municipal utilities manage power supply, financing and energy resources. The town and Municpal Light Plan can explore funding opportunities for the fiber buildout by joining MMWEC. It could also provide better borrowing terms than what the town currently has available through debt exclusion.
Article 9 is for the approval of the $93.3 million operating budget, to fix the FY27 salary and compensation of the moderator at $1,000 and the Select Board members at $2,000 each and to provide for a reserve fund. The general fund is also priced at around $83.2 million and appropriated from general taxation.
Articles 10 and 11 consider capital funds and projects, seeking to approve around $3.2 million for capital projects in Article 10 and transferring $423,267 from the operating stablization fund to the capital stabilzation fund in Artile 11.
Article 12 is to transfer $367,000 from stormwater retained earnings to pay costs of a stormwater capacity study and catch basin repair. The goal of the project is to develop a comprehensive flood vulnerability assessment for flood-prone areas.
Article 13 puts $175,025 toward paying the FY27 district improvement financing debt service, which requires the town to annually budget for the debt service relating to the Dwight Road and Maple Street district improvement financing program. An ambulance capital account looks to be created from $235,547 in Article 14.
Unexpended bond proceeds for water mains of around $463,000 are no longer needed for the projects they were approved for and
ment to building safer and stronger communities through innovative educational and outreach programs, Gulluni is being recognized for his years of service as well as his vision for the future.
“The LDTC is pleased to present Attorney Gulluni with the Longmeadow Democratic Town Committee’s ‘Democrat of the Year’ award for his achievements and service to our Commonwealth,” said LDTC Chair Barbara Wenig. “The award is given to an individual who exemplifies Democratic values and works to build a better future for residents of our State.”
Among other contributions, Gulluni is being recognized for enacting the EACH program which provides young offenders with intensive support and programming focused on physical and mental health, education and job training. EACH is the first of its kind in Massachusetts and is
look to be transferred to the Western Drive water mains replacement project in Aricle 15. The project in total is expected to cost around $8.5 million. The transferred funds are funds that can only be used for water projects.
Article 16 is similar and looks to transfer around $572,500 of unexpended bond proceeds to slip lining and manhole rehab, which is expected to cost $2.5 million and was approved at a Special Town Meeting in November 2025.
Articles 18 and 19 would establish funding limits for the Council on Aging revolving fund and the town’s athletic field signage revolving fund, with both including payments from the fund to be expended by the directors of up to $250,000.
Additional funding articles include around $180,000 for the community pools amenities improvement project in Article 21, $15,015 for the preservation of collections at the Storrs House Museum project in Article 22, $71,000 for the Bliss Park clay courts project in Article 23, $125,000 for the Longmeadow Adult Center Home modification fund in Article 24 and $5,000 for the Longmeadow Tree Committee arboretum on the green project in Article 25.
Article 27 wants to amend Chapter 8, Article 10 of the town’s general bylaws by deleting language that prevents members of the Historic District Commission from serving more than two consecutive three-year terms. This is the only board with this type of language and the Commission has struggled to fill vacant positions in the past several years, according to the article.
Article 28 replaces language in the snow removal bylaw, such as defining fire hydrant clearance
already receiving national attention for its innovation and potential effectiveness with this critical population.
Special guests at this year’s event include U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, Massachusetts Democratic Party Chair Steve Kerrigan, Governor’s Councilor Tara Jacobs, state Sen. Jake Oliveira, state Rep. Brian Ashe and Sheriff Nick Cocchi.
Dan Zwirko, vice chair of the Longmeadow Select Board, will be recognized with the LDTC Member Achievement Award. Among his achievements, Dan
and the timeframe a person must clear snow or ice from sidewalks on their property with penalties for violations.
Article 29 would amend the bylaws to include that cryptocurrency teller machines pose risks to customers, including financial fraud, money laundering and lack of recourse for users. The purpose is to prohibit the use of cryptocurrency ATMs within the town in an effort to protect the citizens.
There are two citizen petitions on the warrant, including Article 31, an amendment to the animals bylaw to include a dangerous dog ordinance. The amendment’s purpose is to safeguard residents, visitors and domestic animals by imposing strict standards for the ownership and control of dogs that present a risk to the public.
It adds a definition of a “dangerous” dog, strengthens owner responsibility, increases fines, mandates insurance coverage and grants animal control officers 24-hour inspection authority to ensure compliance. Resident Sally Hage drafted the amendment after a dog that had already been labeled “dangerous” by the Select Board, attacked both her and her dog while out on a walk.
Article 32, the other citizen petition, is to see if the town will vote to allow the installation of fixed ground-mount, photo voltaic or thermal flat-plate solat panels within the side lot lines of residential property. It requires a majority ⅔ vote to pass.
The installation of groundmount solar panels on either the side or front of a home is in conflict with zoning bylaws, and the Planning Board will make a recommendation on the Town Meeting floor. The entire warrant can be read in full at longmeadowma. gov/283/Town-Meeting
coordinated the Blueberry Elementary School painting project with volunteers from the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department and helped organize two town cleanups. And Andrea Chasen, chair of the Longmeadow Energy & Sustainability Committee will be receiving the LDTC Member Appreciation Award for her efforts as a key player in advancing the LDTC’s work and outreach. For more information regarding the Democrat of the Year Breakfast, contact longmeadowdems@gmail.com. Reservations are required.
Mass Fair Housing welcomes new head, keeps fighting discrimination
By Sarah Heinonen sheinonen@thereminder.com
HOLYOKE — April is Fair Housing Month, commemorating President Lyndon B. Johnson signing the Fair Housing Act on April 11, 1968. But while the law is nearly 60 years old, organizations are still fighting for fair housing every day. One of those organizations is Holyoke-based Mass Fair Housing, which recently welcomed Executive Director Vineeth Hemavathi.
Despite logging just two weeks on the job so far, Hemavathi is no stranger to Mass Fair Housing. The lawyer, with a background in housing and domestic violence, spent the past year working with Harvard Law School’s Housing Justice for Survivors Project. Prior to that, however, he was a staff attorney at Mass Fair Housing.
Speaking of returning to the organization as its leader, Hemavathi said, “When this opened, I had to go for this role that was different in this organization that I love.”
By Sarah Heinonen sheinonen@thereminder.com
SPRINGFIELD — This fall, voters will have a choice of who will represent them in the state House of Representitives’ 12th Hampden District. While Angelo Puppolo has held the seat, which represents Wilbraham and parts of East Longmeadow, Monson and Springfield, since 2007, he is facing a challenge in the Sept. 1 Democratic primary from Springfield resident Michael Lachenmeyer.
“My journey into politics was a long one,” Lachenmeyer said. When reflecting on his reasons for entering politics, he said that his grandparents grew up during the Great Depression of the 1930s. Through policies such as the New Deal and the GI Bill, they were able to build their way into the middle class. “Our government has gotten away from that kind of policy of upward mobility,” he said.
Lachenmeyer became involved in activism while in college at Loyola University Chicago. He founded a chapter of the Indivisible Movement, a grassroots organizing group, and worked with the Sunrise Movement, a climate justice organization. He returned to Western Massachusetts after completing a master’s degree at the University of Chicago.
A background in activism has given Lachenmeyer a particular perspective on the relationship between organizers and politicians. He said, “There are definitely things activists can accomplish more than politicians but there are ways politicians can accomplish more. Ideally, I think the two work together. It’s the job of activists to put pressure on legislators but legislators can put pressure on their colleagues.”
When Donald Trump was reelected as president in 2024, Lachenmeyer decided to become more politically involved. In March 2025, Lachenmeyer joined Mass-Care — Massachusetts Campaign for Single Payer Health Care — on a visit to Beacon Hill to lobby Puppolo on behalf of the organization’s cause. Lachenmeyer said Puppolo shared with them that he supported the idea but was unwilling to do so publicly. Lachenmeyer was deeply disappointed in his representative.
Lachenmeyer learned more about Puppolo’s record in the House and found information that further bothered him. He said Puppolo receives an annual $20,000 stipend to chair the House Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs, but that the committee has had no meetings or bills before it.
According to malegislature.gov, however, the committee has met every two months since the beginning of the legislative cycle and is scheduled to meet again on May 29. There are no bills currently before the committee.
The candidate questions some of the decisions Puppolo had made during his tenure in the House. In 2016, Puppolo was one of 12
Mass Fair Housing is one of four fair housing organizations in Massachusetts and the oldest. It serves people from Worcester County to the Berkshires. Last year, the organization helped more than 500 people, more than half of whom live in Hampden County — mostly in Springfield, Holyoke and Chicopee. Hemavathi said that is largely because there are larger populations in those cities and more rental units.
Aside from direct legal services, Mass Fair Housing tests for housing discrimination. “It’s kind of like Secret Shopper,” Hemavathi said. He explained that a housing ad may include discriminatory language, or someone may come to them believing they have been discriminated against.
A member of the organization will approach the landlord posing as a potential tenant to determine if there is discrimination taking place.
Mass Fair Housing also offers educational know-yourrights events. Hemavathi said many people do not know they
Democrats who voted against a bill to allow transgender people to use the bathroom that aligns with their gender identity. Lachenmeyer also took issue with a statement Puppolo made to Reminder Publishing in January 2025, when he described the “migrant issue” is “the elephant in the room.”
Platform
Lachenmeyer’s platform is ambitious. He said, “I’m big on affordability and anti-corruption.”
Currently, most Massachusetts residents pay a flat state income tax of 5%. Lachenmeyer is in favor of adopting tax brackets that are tied to income, similar to the model used by the federal government. “A graduated income tax would raise a lot of money from people in the eastern part of the state and benefit people in Western Massachusetts,” he said. The communities surrounding Interstate 495 in eastern Massachusetts tend to have higher per capita incomes than those in Western Massachusetts.
Meanwhile, he said, a single-payer health care system would “raise all boats.” Between 2010 and 2019, 19 states had single-payer health care bills going
have been discriminated against because they do not know the law. While many people think of discrimination as being racebased — 86% of Black people face housing discrimination — one of the most common discriminations Mass Fair Housing sees is against people with disabilities, including veterans and the elderly.
“Landlords cannot deny reasonable accommodations unless it is a financial or administrative burden,” Hemavathi said. Such accommodations may include a ramp, an accessible parking space or grab bars for the shower. “Because we get people the modifications they need, it helps people age in place,” Hemavathi said. He added that it also relieves pressure on overwhelmed state and local shelters.
Another common target of discrimination is families with children under 6 years of age. In Massachusetts, owners of property built before 1978 are required to comply with lead laws if children under 6 reside in the
through their legislatures. The results have been a mixed bag. Vermont passed universal health care in 2011, but the state shelved the program in 2014 because of financing issues. In 2022, Oregon passed a constitutional amendment guaranteeing universal health care and is designing a single-payer model, which could be enacted as soon as fall 2027. Colorado is currently conducting a feasibility study on single-payer health care in the state. Federally, Vermont U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders filed the Medicare for All Act in 2025. The legislation was referred to the Senate Committee on Finance.
“I want to see high speed rail,” Lachenmeyer said, adding a 45-minute commute to Boston would be a vehcile for demographic and economic growth. While the Compass Rail passenger rail plan the state has been pursuing does not include a high-speed rail option, Lachenmeyer said it may be possible as a future addition, although he opined that the federal government, which provides much of the railroad funding, is not interested.
Lachenmeyer also wants to see changes to the way Chapter 70 school aid is calculated.
unit. That includes testing and deleading, if needed. Hemavathi said many landlords do not want to cover the cost of deleading, so they will deny the rental or not respond to a prospective tenant.
“We see families with children under 6 that have been looking for two years, and they keep getting denied, but don’t know why,” Hemavathi said. “Sometimes folks have a sense that something is wrong, but don’t know what it is.”
Occasionally, landlords will not rent to people with children, which is also illegal. They might say they are “too noisy” or that features in the unit would be “unsafe,” rather than leaving that determination to the parent.
Another widespread type of housing discrimination that Mass Fair Housing is working to combat occurs against people who have a housing voucher, be it because they are low-income, seniors or individuals with disabilities. He said it can take years for someone to receive a voucher through the federal Housing
“Funding education primarily through property taxes bakes in inequities,” he said, adding that the formula should incorporate inflation. While he praised the Fair Share Amendment, which passed in 2022 and instituted a 4% surcharge on personal income over $1 million, he disagreed with how the revenue has been spent. He acknowledged the benefits of free community college and free buses but said the state should channel as much of the revenue as possible into public K-12 education.
Choice Voucher Program, which pays a percentage of the tenant’s housing costs. Hemavathi said that, due to stereotypes about people who have vouchers, landlords may deny renting them.
“At Mass Fair Housing, we believe everybody deserves housing,” Hemavathi said. He said stable housing makes it easier to secure and retain a job, keep their children in one school district, and make plans for their future.
As a nonprofit, Mass Fair Housing is working to stabilize its funding, Hemavathi said. One amendment to the proposed state budget would support the commonwealth’s fair housing organizations, while another would support Mass Fair Housing, in particular. While the organization and others like it have long relied on federal funding for a portion of their operating costs, those funds are now in question, Hemavathi said.
To learn more about Mass Fair Housing, visit massfairhousing.org.
Taking a position on whether the state auditor should be able to audit the Legislature, a contentious issue making its way through the state’s Supreme Judicial Court, the candidate said, “I think that’s very important for people’s trust in the government.” Lachenmeyer would also institute 10-year term limits for state legislators and an eight-year limit for the speaker of the House, ban legislators from trading stocks while
SeeLACHENMEYER on page 12
Longmeadow Police Dept. wins first ‘Battle of the Badges’
LONGMEADOW — In the town of Longmeadow, Massachusetts, two departments that typically work together to protect the community turned foes. The first-ever “Battle of the Badges” sponsored by Longmeadow Parks & Recreation Department featured the Longmeadow Police Department vs. the Longmeadow Fire Department in a five-versus-five basketball game. Bragging rights were on the line as both departments wanted to bring home the win in front of their families and friends.
LPD started the game hot, quickly jumping to a 13-0 lead led by former Springfield College basketball player and current Lt. Michael Jurkowski. The crowd cheered and laughed as they watched, and even the LPD’s K-9 was fully focused on the game, though more so on the basketball itself. The LFD initially struggled to get on the board, but they had no quit in them. Their supporting friends and
families cheered them on, and slowly they began to put up some points. Both teams put their bodies on the line as they crashed to the floor, trying to put their team in the best position to win. Though the LFD was battling, the LPD was still too much in the first half, shooting well from beyond the arc and getting easy buckets in transition. They jumped to a 23-9 lead and looked like they had full control to end the first half.
The LFD’s belief never wavered, though, as they came out in the second half ready to go. They quickly battled back into the game by being physical on the glass and getting easy putback attempts. Slowly, they began to cut the lead and brought energy back to their supporters.
At the end of the third quarter, the LPD’s lead was down to 11.
To start the fourth quarter, LFD began to capitalize on LPD’s missed shots, and for the first time since the start of the game, LFD had cut the lead to single digits. Both teams, breathing hard, knew this was their last chance to win the game. The LPD did a good job of answering with points as the LFD tried to crawl back into the game. With under five minutes left, LFD’s Erik Fickett hit a big three-pointer to cut the lead to six. Time was against them, and though they got it to six, the police department held them off and kept answering with points of their own.
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
Mary Ellen Carey
Lisa J. Grilley
Claire Y. Henault
Aaron Thomas Kuschka
Jeannine M. Martell
Orminda M. Oliveira (Do Souto)
Barbara K. Parent
Florinda M. Ribeiro
EAST LONGMEADOW
Giovanni Montefusco
Colleen Smith (Moore)
HOLYOKE
Celia Drobiak
Edward F. Dupont
Irene Kopeski
Marion Fernandes McCormick
Sarah Peterson
LONGMEADOW
Rita Barr (Baskin)
Stephan John Wilfred Platzer
LUDLOW
David M. Fernandes
Irene Rua Gonzaga “Tina” Teles (Dos Santos)
SOUTH HADLEY
Donald David
Monica M. Lindberg
John D. Magnino
SPRINGFIELD
Jean Marie Biancomano
James Brandon Fortune
Patrick A. Hassett
Katherine L. Kane
Edgar Valle
Fred Frank Wojnarowicz
WILBRAHAM
Joan Davis
James R. Garneau
Christopher Miguel Rodriguez
In the end, the Longmeadow Police Department held on
Lachenmeyer
Continued from page 11
in office and ban legislators from working as lobbyists for five years after leaving office to limit what he described as a “revolving door” of influence. Lachenmeyer admits that his goals are more progressive than those of many other legislators, but he is not deterred. “The job of a politician is to try to move the window,” he said. “The compromise becomes partway between how things are and what we want
to win 39-30. Despite the outcome, both sides wore smiles, and friends and families showed support regardless of who they rooted for. A group picture concluded the event, and LPD received T-shirts for their win. In Longmeadow’s first-ever “Battle of the Badges”, the Longmeadow Police Department gets the win and goes up 1-0 in the history books with a new tradition potentially being born.
to see.” Over time, the status quo shifts. An example, he pointed to U.S. Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Ayanna Pressley and Rashida Tlaib — who were given the collective nickname, “The Squad” when elected in 2018. The progressive representatives may not have been able to get all their priorities passed, but those issues have received greater attention through their presence in the House of Representatives. “Change comes slowly,” Lachenmeyer said. “But it’s worth sticking with it to eventually reach our goals.”
Longmeadow’s Police and Fire departments hosted the first “Battle of the Badges” basketball game with the police winning 39-30.
Reminder Publishing submitted photos
The Best Damn Panini: Krave in East Longmeadow
By Dennis Hackett dhackett@thereminder.com
EAST LONGMEADOW —
Having worked exclusively in East Longmeadow over the past year, I have come to appreciate the town’s many lunch stops. I am happy to report that another excellent spot recently opened its doors.
Krave Restaurant, which opened in March, offers a variety of bowls, salads and paninis. Krave offers signature bowls and paninis, like the Orchard bowl, which comes with gorgonzola, candied walnuts, tomatoes, chickpeas and cucumbers, or the Philly panini, which comes with roasted peppers, caramelized onions, sauteed mushrooms, shredded cheese and garlic mayo. Patrons also have the opportunity to make their own bowls or paninis, giving people the opportunity to pick from any of Krave’s ingredients.
In my many trips to Dunkin’ since Krave opened, the delicious smells from the kitchen have caught my nose as I have walked by, making me constantly say to myself “I’ll try it one day.” I am kicking myself because of how long I waited to try something. My first experience with Krave was outstanding.
Walking up to the counter, patrons are immediately greeted with a bevy of options, going station to station, working with staff to add different ingredients to a bowl or a panini. The staff also greets you with a big smile, ready to help you put together your order. If you’re in a rush, Krave also offers online ordering.
To me, barbecue chicken is a go-to sandwich, whether it has grilled or fried chicken and whatever other toppings you want to toss in there, so when I
As wine professionals we often face terrible misconceptions and slanders against our favorite grapes. We hear that cabernet sauvignon is a graceless fruit bomb (tell that to Bordeaux), that riesling is too sweet (there is a whole category of dry riesling called “trocken”), and that zinfandel is overwhelmingly heavy (not so in the hands of California’s new generation of winemakers!). However, no grape is more frequently misunderstood than our dear, beautiful chardonnay. Too often we’re told that it’s too buttery, too oaky or too sweet. It is true that there was a time when many California wineries made a name for themselves by making the biggest and boldest examples of chardonnay out there, using large percentages of new oak barrels and malolactic fermentation to maximize the butter and vanilla notes in their white wines. This, along with California’s famous sunshine and the ripeness that can result from it, led to wines that, while sometimes finely crafted, were out of balance.
This grape is famously versatile and flexible though, known in the industry as “the winemaker’s grape” because of its ability to express itself in so many different ways. For example, cool climate chardonnays from places like Santa Barbara and Chablis are generally crisp, refreshing and bone-dry white wines with ample acidity. Explore Burgundy or Oregon and you’ll find chardonnays of unparalleled complexity and balance that integrate with oak so beautifully that you’ll barely notice that it’s there. Furthermore, many chardonnays do not undergo malolactic fermentation, the conversion of malic (apple) acid to lactic (buttery) acids, at all. As you may be gathering, many of the features of the grape that some don’t care for are in fact de-
saw Krave had a BBQ panini, I knew that was my first victim. Topped with a golden barbecue sauce and a chipotle ranch, and filled with bacon, crispy onions and shredded cheese, my mouth was watering looking at the menu. I combined those ingredients with a protein add on of blackened chicken, and it was the perfect combination of savory and sweet with the sweet taste of the golden barbecue and the subtle kick of the chicken.
Staff Writers Sarah Heinonen and Peter Tuohy can attest to the way my jaw dropped when I saw the size of my panini when I opened the container in the newsroom. The box had two huge halves of my panini on a pressed ciabatta bread. The picture included with this review does not do the sandwich justice; it was massive.
Coincidentally we also ended up having food from Krave for a company lunch meeting, where I was able to try a bit more of the menu, while still snagging a corner piece of the BBQ panini. I tried another golden barbecue staple, Krave’s Good as Gold bowl, which in addition to what comes on the BBQ panini, comes with avocado smash, roasted peppers and cucumbers.
The versatility and options to create your own meals stand out the most to me, so while I love their BBQ panini, I am excited to be able to come up with my own concoctions on future visits, whether that is a new panini or bowl.
Just a short distance from our East Longmeadow office, Krave is going to become a staple of my lunch rotation at work, with plenty of more things for me to try.
Krave Restaurant is located at 59 Maple St. in East Longmeadow.
cisions made in the winery rather than innate traits of the variety. Which leads me to three of our favorite domestic producers that are producing medium-bodied and balanced chardonnays that will change your mind about the grape.
First up we have Osmote’s Cayuga Lake Chardonnay. Osmote is the project Ben Ricardi, a Finger Lakes native who initially worked in California until returning home in 2017 to make wine in upstate New York. This is a cool climate region, one that you’d initially think would be inhospitable to wine grapes, but in the Finger Lakes the proximity to large bodies of water moderates the chill of winter slightly, allowing the grapes to reach ripeness. The Cayuga Lake chardonnay is light bodied and thirst quenching with a lean angularity more reminiscent of Chablis than California. Mineral with a touch of citrus peel. This is as light an ethereal as chardonnay gets. ($21.99)
Next, we have Scar of the Sea’s Vino de Los Ranchos Chardonnay. Scar of the Sea is the project of up and coming star Mikey Guigni, a young winemaker rapidly gaining attention for a hands of winemaking style that yields supple, balanced wines that sing with food. Sourced from a pair of organic vineyards on California’s central coast, this wine is aged on the lees for a year and a half before being bottled unfiltered. Crisp but textured, this wine showcases cool climate minerality with hints of golden apple and brioche. ($34.99)
Catch and Release produce their Fair Trade Chardonnay from a vineyard located between the Russian River and the north end of the Mayacamas mountain range in Mendocino County. This wine comes in at a low 11.8% alcohol, proving that California chardonnay can in fact be light
on its feet. The wine undergoes a mild malolactic fermentation and aging in neutral oak barrels that impart no flavor while allowing the wine to breathe, softening the edges of the wine and adding a bit of mouthfeel. The result is a chardonnay that is easy-drinking and
refreshing with a bright acidity and mouth watering notes of lime, minerality and a
Krave’s BBQ panini.
Jake Robidoux led the Spartans with 4 goals and an assist.
East Longmeadow defender Luca Scibelli (R) employs the poke check.
EL’s Cohen Bachicha guards the Dutchmen’s Lee Wallen.
Gavin Goncalves gains control of the ball near mid-field.
East Longmeadow’s Kevin Baker (L) looks to disrupt Dutchmen attacker Joey Aloy.
Daniel Fisk attacks the net as Guilderland’s Jack Whitney defends.
Luke Miller defends the East Longmeadow crease.
Zach Sares shoots and scores, tying the game at 5-5.
Middie Joe Mazza runs stride for stride with Guilderland’s Jackson Eberz.
Enrico E. Oliveri and Renee L. Oliveri to Kimberly Anne Oliveri, 7 Melody Lane
Global Homes Properties LLC, to Andrew T. Silva and Alicia R. Silva, 2 Happy Acres
Jeffrey A. Abrahamson to Leo A. Florian and Roberta L. Fitzpatrick, 232 Pinehurst
Saga Communications of New England LLC, to 45 Fisher Ave.
Robert K. Rosler to Craig A. Hanson and Tyna S. Hanson, 25 Winding Brook Lane
William F. Johnson and Pamela H. Johnson to Manuel Goncalves and Daniela Almella, 35 Fraser Drive
HAMPDEN
Elena J. Green to Ryan Gonyea and Christine Kandrotas, 107 Baldwin Drive
LONGMEADOW
Heidi D. O’Connor to Liam Christopher O’Connor, James Patrick O’Connor and Heidi D. O’Connor, life estate, 44 Bliss Rd. $100
Manuel A. Santiago III, to Quercus Properties LLC, 252 Pinewood Drive
$510,000 LUDLOW
Amanda D. Lipson and Amanda Deanna Lipson to David T. Lipson, 136 East Akard St.
Bretta Construction LLC, to Wisllen Queiroz Santos, 42 Loopley St.
Jeffrey E. Salvador and Amanda R. Salvador to Daniel J. Kleeberg and Nanette Kleeberg, 45 Canterbury St. $300,000
Joe Webb to Michelle Batista Pires and Alexander James Neshe, 88 Chapin St. $170,000 PALMER
Cheata An to Wesley N. Paro and Cyndi A. Paro, 1240 South Main St.
SPRINGFIELD
Andrzej Lipior to Osmar Salcedo, 115 Hampden St.
Brian R. Goodreau to Victoria A. Goodreau, 23 Strathmore St.
Christopher A. Slater and Michelle E. Slater to Jonathan A. Rentas and Lydia Y. Velazquez, 33 Drexel St.
