One Tough Cookie CERAMIC COAT YOUR CAR EAST LONGMEADOW | LONGMEADOW | HAMPDEN | WILBRAHAM WWW.THEREMINDER.COM
JULY 30, 2026 | FREE
FOR DELIVERY CONCERNS OR TO STOP DELIVERY, CALL 413-788-1316 OR EMAIL HMULLIGAN@THEREMINDER.COM
Bliss Park’s new playground officially opens By Peter Tuohy
ptuohy@thereminder.com
LONGMEADOW — The joyful sounds of children climbing, sliding and swinging filled the air at Bliss Park as Longmeadow residents, families, project partners and elected officials gathered to celebrate the opening of the park’s brand new playground. Town Manager Lyn Simmons, Select Board Chair Dan Zwirko, state Sen. Jake Oliveira and state Rep. Brian Ashe spoke before cutting the ribbon to open the playground on July 21. “The playground was thoughtfully designed as a multi-generational space where people of all ages and abilities can play,” Simmons said. “It includes ground level accessible features, such as a We-Go-Round … allowing visitors to participate at their own comfort level and ability. Throughout the playground, there are opportunities to climb, slide, swing, spin, balance, explore and create. Its open-play features, varied elevations and sensory rich elements encourage discovery, creativity, physical activity and inclusive play.” The Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund, the town’s Community Preservation Act and capital improvement plan funded the project. Simmons said this was the first time Longmeadow had received funding from the Land and Water Conservation Fund in 30 years. Oliveira said parks like these make sure playscapes are accessible and available for everyone. He joked that he may still have splinters from the wooden playground he would use growing up. He thanked the town of Longmeadow for being a “strong partner,” voters for approving the Community Preservation Act
IN THIS
EDITION EAST LONGMEADOW
Pleasant View Senior Center prepares for annual variety show East Longmeadow’s Pleasant View Senior Center is preparing for its annual variety show on Aug. 13.
Page 6
LONGMEADOW
Longmeadow Select Board sets in-person early voting dates The Longmeadow Select Board has set the inperson early voting dates for both the primary and general elections.
Page 8
Above, from right to left: Select Board member Vineeth Hemavathi, state Sen. Jake Oliveira, state Rep. Brian Ashe, Select Board Chair Dan Zwirko. Select Board member Andrew Lam, Assistant Town Manager Michael Barbieri and Town Manager Lyn Simmons celebrate the ribbon cutting. At right: the town celebrated Bliss Park’s new playground opening on July 21.
WILBRAHAM
Boards discuss interim plan for middle school repairs The Wilbraham Select Board and Hampden Selectboard have begun to lay out a plan intended to improve the conditions of Wilbraham Middle School until the Massachusetts School Building Authority gives a decision on the school’s acceptance into the core program.
Reminder Publishing photos by Peter Tuohy
at Town Meeting and everyone in the community that “comes together and supports the investments needed to make sure that future generations have access to playscapes like this.”
Page 10
See BLISS PARK on page 3
ONLY 4 DAYS LEFT! LAST DAY SUNDAY, AUGUST 2 !!
EVERYTHING MUST GO! Stock Up on Perennials & Flowering Shrubs!
Flowering Annuals
Hydrangeas
MINIMUM OF
50% OFF
*
EVERYTHING!
New Shipments of Flowering Plants just arrived!
Roses
YES...EVERYTHING!!
Hanging Baskets
Perennials
Tropical Plants
NORTHERN VALLEY GARDENS Like Us On (Formerly East Longmeadow Flowers)
236 South Main St. (Rt. 5) • East Windsor, CT (right next to Dunkin Donuts)
*OFF REGULAR PRICE