Enfield
By Tina Lesniak Correspondent
— The Enfield Fourth
ENFIELD
of July Town Celebration is preparing to welcome thousands of residents and visitors for another year of family-friendly festivities, with organizers promising a mix of beloved traditions and special events marking a historic milestone.
This year’s celebration, scheduled for July 10-12 on the Enfield Town Green, will feature longtime favorites alongside activities commemorating America’s 250th birthday.
“Residents can expect the same great activities they know and love, like our 5K Road Race, children’s activities, craft fair, Taste of Enfield, parade, fireworks, and entertainment on the USA Waste and Recycling Stage,” said Izzy Post Ruhland, the celebration’s marketing director. “This year, we have a lot of special activities planned to commemorate America’s 250th Birthday, including living history demonstrations and our largest fireworks show ever.”
The annual event has humble beginnings. According to Post Ruhland, what is now one of the region’s premiere Independence Day celebrations started as a simple gathering among neighbors.
“This event has grown exponentially over the years,” she said. “It started as a picnic between five families in Brainard Park in Enfield. The picnic grew so large that 41 years ago, we moved to the Enfield Town Green and became an official celebration. Every year, we see people from all over the
region come to celebrate with us, and that is our favorite tradition.”
Behind the scenes, organizing an event of this scale requires months of preparation and a dedicated team of volunteers.
“We are a nonprofit organization consisting of 26 volunteer directors and funded through
sponsorships and donations of services,” Post Ruhland explained.
“Each director has an area they lead in the planning process. Planning begins immediately after the conclusion of the previous year’s Celebration, with our first official meeting in December.”
Community support remains
the foundation of the event’s success. Organizers rely heavily on local businesses, volunteers and sponsors to keep the celebration free and accessible.
“We would not be able to put on this event without the support
ENFIELD
ENFIELD PUBLIC LIBRARY
The following events are organized by the Enfield Public Library, located at 104 Middle Road. For more information, head to enfieldpubliclibrary.org.
Flower Pounding Art Workshop with April Sinnock — Wednesday, July 8, 2026, at 6 p.m. Join local artist April Sinnock for an open art studio night for ages 16 to adult. She will teach tatakizome (tahtah-kee zoh-meh), the Japanese art of pounding flower petals onto paper or fabric to create beautiful designs. All supplies are provided. You are also welcome to bring your own flowers.
The Silver Circus — Thursday, July 9, at 10 a.m. Andrew Silver is a one-man circus featuring spectacular magic, juggling, physical comedy and tons of audience participation. Free tickets available beginning June 29 for kids ages 4 and up online at tinyurl.com/ y2wz5hxy. Everyone needs a ticket!
• Mr. Lobster concert — Mon-
day, July 13, at 2:30 p.m. Every song has an interactive element; everybody’s in the band! Mr. Lobster music is written specifically for ages 3-9, but intended to be enjoyed by everyone. Mr. Lobster is Christian Loftus, an elementary music teacher and songwriter from Manchester, CT.
Baby Rhyme & Read — Tuesday, July 14, at 6:30 p.m. There will be rhymes, action songs and a book for children ages birth to 24 months. Learn new ways to strengthen the bond with your child and nurture their brain development. Infants will spend time on the floor so please bring a blanket for them to lay on.
• Crafty Wednesday — Wednesday, July 15, at 10 a.m. Watch creativity blossom as kids paint their own ceramic bug. Each child will receive a free book! Sponsored by the Enfield Garden Club. Free tickets available beginning July 6 online at tinyurl.com/ ycxybzdb for kids ages 4 and up. Only kids need tickets. Drive in movie on the lawn: “Hoppers” — Friday, July 17, at 9 p.m.
Waddling Ones — Friday, July 17, at 9:30 a.m. Waddling Ones is an early literacy program designed for you and your child ages 12 to 24 months. Reading, rhyming, singing, and talking — beginning from birth — influences
literacy and language development, the foundation of all learning.
WEDNESDAY MATINEES AT THE PEARL STREET
LIBRARY Movies begin at noon. Films are free and everyone is welcome. No need to register. Wednesday, July 8 — The nations of Earth band together to fight off a second alien invasion, 20 years after the first attack brought humanity to the brink of extinction. Using recovered extraterrestrial technology, the alliance readies itself for a massive war. 2 hours. PG-13
• Wednesday, July 15 — When Abby sneaks out to reconnect with Freddy, Bonnie, Chica and Foxy, it will set in motion a terrifying series of events, revealing dark secrets about the true origin of Freddy’s and unleashing a long-forgotten horror hidden away for decades. 1 hour, 44 minutes. PG-13
ENFIELD SENIOR CENTER
The following events take place at the Enfield Senior Center, located at 299 Elm St. For more information call 860-763-7425 or visit enfield-ct.gov/seniors.
• Creative Connections — July 8, 15, 22 and 29. These workshops are designed to encourage creativity, memory sharing, and emotional well-being through simple, accessible art activities. Each session includes a themed project such as painting, collage, or group mural-making, paired with guided conversation and light social interaction. The program focuses on self-expression rather than artistic skill, making it suitable for all ability levels, including participants with dementia. Week 1: Paint Your Peaceful Place – Wednesday, July 8 (5:30–6:30 p.m.) Activity: Watercolor Landscapes;
Week 2: Community Garden Mural – Wednesday, July 15 (5:30–6:30 p.m.) Activity: Collaborative Art Project
Week 3: Postcards From the Heart – Wednesday, July 22 (5:30–6:30 p.m.) Activity: Personalized Postcard Art; Week 4: Memory Stones – Wednesday, July 29 (5:30–6:30 p.m.)
Activity: Painted Story Stones. To reserve a spot, register online through your MyRec account or call 860-763-7425.
Sheryl Faye Performance — Thursday, July 9 at 1:30 p.m. Sheryl Faye is an award-winning, internationally touring actress and honors graduate of Emerson College, known for bringing historical figures to life through powerful storytelling. In this inspiring program, she portrays Eleanor Roosevelt, who overcame a difficult childhood to become the longest-serving First Lady of the United States, a champion for women’s rights, civil rights, and refugees, a delegate to the United Nations, and one of the most admired and influential figures of the 20th century. Advance tickets are required and may be picked up at the Senior Center Front Desk.
Connecticut Belles Performance: A Tribute to America
250 — Thursday, July 16, at 1:30 p.m. for a special patriotic performance celebrating America’s 250th Anniversary. The Connecticut Belles are an all-female close-harmony singing trio from the Hartford area. Enjoy an uplifting musical tribute featuring beloved classics such as Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree, God Bless America, America the Beautiful, You’re a Grand Old Flag, This Land Is Your Land, and more. This program honors our nation’s history, heritage, and the men and women who have served our country
through music, nostalgia, and American pride. Advance tickets are required and may be picked up at the Senior Center Front Desk.
• Military Research Presentation — Friday, July 17, at 1:30 p.m. Have you ever wanted to learn more about a family member’s military service but didn’t know where to start? Dr. Alex Beckstrand, infantry officer, USMCR and founder of Legacies of Service LLC shares a real-life research journey that uncovered a veteran’s long-forgotten story of service and sacrifice. Attendees will learn practical tools and strategies for researching military records and tracing their own family’s military history. Beckstrand holds a Ph.D. in History from the University of Connecticut, serves as an officer in the Marine Corps Reserve, and works in the aerospace industry. To reserve a spot, register online through your MyRec account or call 860-763-7425.
• Broadway Music, History and More Through the Ages: With Mary and Mary — Friday, July 31, at 1:30 p.m. Enfield natives turned New Hampshire residents, Mary Elizabeth and Mary Hastings return to bring the magic of Broadway to life with a dramatic and informative performance of beloved musical numbers. Blending rich harmonies with iconic scenes and snapshots of theatre then and now, they guide audiences through the evolution of musical theater spanning before, during, and after Broadway’s Golden Age. They first performed together at JFK Middle School years ago, and now their show is both a celebration of iconic songs and a living tribute to the history behind them. To reserve a spot, register online through your MyRec account or call 860-763-7425.
Eagle Scout project gives new life to Enfield Sharing Shed ENFIELD
By Tina Lesniak Correspondent
ENFIELD — What began as a desire to give back to the community has resulted in a lasting improvement to one of Enfield’s most-used recycling and donation resources.
For his Eagle Scout service project, Theodore Dandurand chose to renovate the interior of the Sharing Shed at the Enfield Transfer Station, transforming the well-used space into a cleaner, safer and more organized resource for residents.
“I wanted to complete a project that would have a lasting benefit for my community,” Dandurand said. “The Sharing Shed was already an important resource, but the inside had become damaged over time. The moldy insulation and lack of organization made it less useful. By renovating the interior, I could help make it cleaner, safer, and more organized so it could continue serving people for years to come. It was meaningful because I knew I was improving something many people rely on.”
Like all Eagle Scout projects, the effort required months of planning before any construction began.
“The first step was planning what needed to be done and getting approval for the project,” Dandurand explained. “Next was getting the funding and resources needed to complete the project.”
Once preparations were complete, volunteers got to work removing every item from the shed and stripping out old, moldy insulation. The team thoroughly cleaned the interior before installing durable sheathing panels on every wall, creating a brighter and more functional space.
The project also included building and painting two new shelves, reusing several existing shelves, labeling storage areas and painting a sign on the door explaining which items are appropriate for donation.
“By the end of the project, the shed was cleaner, more organized, and easier for the community to use,” Dandurand said.
The improvements were designed with long-term use in mind.
“My goal was to improve the Sharing Shed so it would be easier and safer for people to use,” he said. “The new walls, shelving, and labels make it much more organized, while the sign helps people understand what belongs in the shed. I believe the project achieved that because it made the space more welcoming and easier to maintain for everyone who uses it.”
Coordinating a large volunteer effort presented its own challenges.
“One challenge was removing all of the old materials and making sure the space was properly cleaned before we started rebuilding,” Dandurand said. “Another was coordinating the different jobs so volunteers stayed productive throughout the day.”
He overcame those obstacles through careful preparation and leadership.
“I divided the project into smaller tasks, such as removing materials, installing the wall panels, building shelves, painting, labeling and cleaning up,” he said. “I assigned volunteers to differ-
ent jobs based on what needed to be done, explained each task before we started, and checked in throughout the day to answer questions and keep everyone on schedule. I tried to make sure everyone knew how their work contributed to the final project.”
The experience reinforced valuable leadership lessons that extend well beyond construction.
“This project taught me how important planning and communication are,” Dandurand said. “I learned how to organize a project from start to finish, delegate responsibilities, and solve problems when things didn’t go exactly as planned. I also gained more confidence in leading a group and making decisions while keeping everyone working toward the same goal.”
Looking back, Dandurand says the greatest reward came from seeing the dramatic transformation.
“I’m most proud of seeing the transformation of the inside of the shed,” he said. “It went from being cluttered and damaged to clean, organized, and much more functional. Seeing the finished
shelves, wall panels, labels, and sign made all of the hard work worthwhile.”
He added that if he were to do the project again, he would “allow a little more extra time in the schedule in case unexpected delays came up.”
Dandurand also expressed gratitude to those who helped make the project possible.
“This project showed me that even improving an existing resource can make a big difference,” he said. “I appreciate everyone who volunteered their time and the American Legion Post 101 in Somers that supported my project through their donation. Without it, my project would not have been possible. Completing my Eagle Scout project strengthened my leadership skills and showed me how rewarding it is to leave something better than I found it.”
Thanks to those efforts, the Sharing Shed is now better equipped to serve Enfield residents for years to come and act as an enduring example of community service and leadership in action.
Enfield Public Schools announces 2026–2027 teacher of the year
ENFIELD — Enfield Public Schools announced Nicole Catuccio of Enfield High School as the 2026-2027 Teacher of the Year.
A dedicated social studies educator, Catuccio teaches Advanced Placement Comparative Government, AP U.S. Government and Civics in Action, where she works to inspire students to become active, informed and engaged citizens.
Catuccio began her career at Enfield High School and credits her colleagues and mentors for shaping her growth as an educator. “This honor reflects the incredible support of my coworkers, especially my 3rd Floor E Wing team, who continue to challenge and inspire me every day,” she said.
Known for fostering an inclusive and supportive classroom environment, Catuccio strives to
ensure every student feels seen and valued, according to the district. Through her work with students and commitment to building a safe, welcoming space, she emphasizes both academic and personal growth.
Beyond the classroom, Catuccio is dedicated to continued professional development and leadership, EPS said. She aspires to become a mentor teacher to support and guide the next gen-
eration of educators. She is also participating in the Iron Horse Half Marathon with Project Purple in honor of her former cooperating teacher, demonstrating her commitment to community and service.
Catuccio expressed deep gratitude to her mentor, Erin Clark, for encouragement and guidance throughout her career. She also shared appreciation for her students: “You are the reason I love
what I do. Watching you grow, gain confidence, and find your voice is the most rewarding part of teaching.”
When not teaching, Catuccio enjoys running, having completed three marathons, spending time with her family and enjoying the outdoors. Catuccio embodies excellence in teaching, a passion for student success and a commitment to the Enfield community, EPS said.
Bumpa Built: A 3D creation of the imagination
By Miasha Lee Correspondent
SOMERS — Bumpa Built’s mission is to help people bring their ideas to life, inspiring creative confidence through 3D-printed fidget toys and collectibles. What started as CEO Adam Rivard printing a bearded dragon toy in his garage has grown into a full suite of offerings.
“This is our accidental business,” said Rivard. “My wife Jackie and I had full-time jobs that we really enjoyed and had no intention of starting a business, but slowly people started to hear about it and wanted more.”
He continued, “When someone has an idea and they see it on a computer screen, then in a matter of a day or two it’s in their hands. That’s an amazing experience that a lot of folks haven’t got to experience.”
Established in 2023, Bumpa Built makes a line of products called Bippits, which are articulated sensory toys for children and adults that come in different sizes and ranges. They sell those in-store at 48 South Road, Unit 11, and wholesale to retailers across the country in 350 stores. They have classes, workshops and birthday parties where people can get exposed to using 3D printing as a technology to put their designs on display. They also sell 3D printers and the material for them with the idea that the children and adults that come through the classes get inspired enough to want to do it at home. Rivard has been doing industrial 3D printing for 18 years in the aerospace industry. About three years ago, his son asked him to print a dragon. Rivard went and found a bearded dragon model online, printed it out, and
it blew him away.
“Up until that point, I had never made anything for fun,” said Rivard. “I had always made brackets and things for airplanes. We printed this little bearded dragon, and it came out in these rainbow colors, and it was really cool. We took that to a Fourth of July party, and the other kids thought it was the coolest thing ever, so they wanted their own.”
Originally, the idea was for Bumpa Built to be a makerspace where people could learn to use different tools to bring their ideas to life. Rivard’s dad, Mark, was a carpenter while he was growing up and taught him how to use his hands to make things. When Rivard first met his wife, they were building a house, and his dad also taught her how to build things. All the grandchildren in their family call his dad “Bumpa,” so they named it Bumpa Built to pass on his legacy of teaching people how to bring their ideas to life. Mark had never heard of the name bumpa before, and since then, because of Bumpa Built, he has met several other bumpas across the country.
“It’s exciting to watch,” he said. “I’m very proud of Adam and the impact Bumpa Built has had, not only in the town of Somers, but around the world.”
“My dad inspired my creativity and passion for building things by involving me in everything he did from a very young age,” said Rivard. “From working on projects around our house, to fixing dirt bikes in our garage, and even building computers from spare parts, he taught me that anything is possible with hard work and creativity.”
By the end of 2023, and into the beginning of 2024, Rivard
and his wife went from one little 3D printer in their basement to 70 3D printers and a full-time staff of employees working in their basement. They shipped orders all over the world, selling close to half a million items in the first six months. After those first six months, Rivard made the decision to leave his career in aerospace and take a real try at making this a full-time thing so in April 2024, Rivard went full-time with Bumpa Built. The next big move was getting it out of their house, so they bought the space they’re currently in and moved in at the beginning of 2025.
Right now, Rivard’s biggest goal is to expand Bumpa Built’s retail footprint, pushing it to be in 500 stores by the end of this year. To support that, he’ll move the production side of the business out into a new location and hire new team members.
“We feel very strongly about having a business with a mission that helps people,” Rivard said. “Bringing something to the community that is new, different and inspiring means a lot to me. I like empowering people to see their potential.” He went on to say, “Our motto from the very beginning has been
inspiring creative confidence, and the whole idea is we want to create a space where anyone of any age has an idea that they feel the confidence and they have the resources that they can make that happen. And it’s been really cool to build that in the town I grew up in and the town that we live in; making something local and seeing it grow nationwide.” Go to bumpabuilt.com to find classes, products and more information. You can also follow Bumpa Built on social media. Their social media handle across all platforms is @bumpabippits.
Jackie Rivard, Adam Rivard and his parents Mark and Debra Rivard.
Enfield resident receives Girl Scout Gold Award
By Miasha Lee Correspondent
ENFIELD — Emily Birdsey of the Enfield Girl Scout Troop earned the most prestigious honor in the Girl Scouts of Connecticut organization, the Gold Award, for her community-impacting project.
“I was really excited,” said Birdsey. “After all the hard work I put in, it was a lot of fun. The Gold Award to me, is giving back to the community with all that you’ve learned over the years in Girl Scouts and making a big difference in the world.”
Birdsey was inspired by her older sister to become a Girl Scout and has been one for 13 years. She told Reminder Publishing it’s an amazing group of females who empower each other to learn new things and give back to their community.
Girl Scouts of Connecticut is a statewide nonprofit that is dedicated to building girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. CEO Elicia Pegues Spearman said, “To earn the Gold Award, a Girl Scout identifies an issue affecting her community, drafts a plan to address a root cause, and then leads a
team of volunteers to implement it. When the project is complete, Gold Award Girl Scouts and their teams will have made a sustainable impact on their community that continues to last beyond their involvement.”
Birdsey first learned about the Gold Award from her troop leader and fellow Girl Scouts. She wanted to earn the award because she wanted to continue giving back to her community.
For her project, Birdsey created a mental health and wellness initiative that uses art as a tool for children and teens to express emotions, build coping skills and support well-being. She designed an activity booklet featuring art-based exercises and led hands-on sessions through the Enfield Public Library and Hartford Boys & Girls Club.
“I chose mental health and art for my project because I personally struggle with mental health and art is my passion,” said Birdsey. “When I struggled through my mental health, I used art to help me, and I wanted to share what I do with other people.”
Birdsey completed over 100 hours of work and her project leaves lasting resources for community leaders to continue
offering creative mental health programming.
“I’m very happy with the outcome,” Birdsey said. “I love seeing how it impacts the kids and how excited they got after I came. I felt that I met my goals including my booklet, which I gave to
the Boys & Girls Club and my local library so they can continue on leading those events.”
Birdsey will be attending Central Connecticut State University, where she willll major in art. She aspires to become an art teacher.
Governor increases food assistance benefit
HARTFORD, CT — Gov. Ned
Lamont on June 25 announced that the families of more than 350,000 children in Connecticut are receiving a special summertime food assistance benefit in the amount of $120 per child through the Summer EBT program.
Administered by the Connecticut Department of Social Services in partnership with the Connecticut State Department of Education, the program functions similar to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and provides extra food assistance benefits to families with children to help pay for food during the summer months while school is not in session. In total, more than $42 million in S-EBT funding is expected to be provided to Connecticut families this summer.
Those who qualify include families with children who are already enrolled in SNAP, the Temporary Family Assistance Program, or who are on Husky A with an income less than 185% of the federal poverty level. Additionally, families who were determined eligible for free or reduced-price school meals during the 20252026 school year will automatically receive these benefits.
“These additional food benefits
will help provide support to families during the summer months while kids are on break from school to ensure they continue to have access to nutritious food,” Lamont said. “Our administration remains committed to increasing food security for families.”
“We know how much families rely on school meals during the year, and this benefit helps make sure that support doesn’t disappear the moment summer break begins,” Connecticut Social Services Commissioner Andrea Barton Reeves said. “Our goal is to make this as simple as possible — most families don’t have to do anything at all to receive it.”
The funds were electronically distributed last weekend to the majority of families who qualify. Families who were not automatically enrolled in S-EBT can apply for the program until Aug. 31 by visiting the program’s website at portal.ct.gov/sebt.
All families who qualify will receive the benefits either on their SNAP card or a previously issued EBT card, such as last year’s S-EBT card. All new families will be mailed a card. Mailed S-EBT cards may take several weeks to arrive due to the large number being printed. Anyone who did not
receive the card and believe they qualify should call Connecticut’s S-EBT customer service line at 1-844-503-6871, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Anyone who needs a replacement card should call 1-888-328-2666. For more information on S-EBT, including a list of frequently asked questions, visit the program’s website at portal. ct.gov/sebt.
Universal free school breakfast to start this fall
All Connecticut students enrolled in K-12 public schools that participate in the School Breakfast Program will have access to free school breakfasts starting in the 2026-2027 school year as a result of the fiscal year 2027 state budget that Lamont signed into law last month. The budget provides $12 million to fund these breakfasts at no cost to families, helping ensure that all students have access to a healthy meal at the start of the school day.
Enfield Girl Scout Emily Birdsey recently received the Gold Award. Photo credit: Girl Scouts of Connecticut
Candidate makes primary about Mass. sewer discharges
By Daniel Jackson djackson@repub.com
ENFIELD — Thomas Tyler’s billboard stands on the banks of the Connecticut River, hoping to catch motorists’ eyes as they travel the bridge carrying Route 140 from Windsor Locks into East Windsor.
“Stop the sewage spills,” it reads. “Elect Tom Tyler.”
And with that, Massachusetts municipalities’ water woes — and the stink it causes with the state downstream — have become an issue in Connecticut’s election season. At the same time, one lawmaker south of the border has begun to meet with officials in Holyoke in an effort to find a regional solution to the problem.
Like hundreds of communities across the nation, the cities of Springfield, Chicopee and Holyoke constructed sewer systems decades ago that collect both stormwater and sewage, and get overwhelmed during bouts of heavy rain.
Last year, the three municipalities sent about 717 million gallons of untreated wastewater down the Connecticut River, according to Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection.
Tyler, a Democrat, is seeking to unseat incumbent state representative John Santanella, a fellow Democrat representing a district
made up of the western half of Enfield that borders the Connecticut River. A primary election is scheduled for Aug. 11.
The former attorney for the town of Enfield has made the sewer discharges from Massachusetts a primary pillar of his pitch to voters, saying the discharges are both an environmental and public safety issue.
“Little if any coordination has occurred within Connecticut state government about this,” Tyler’s campaign website reads. “Tom will take the fight to Hartford to clean up the river.”
The sewer discharges coming down from Massachusetts became a topic of concern last year. Enfield’s Town Council discussed the matter last June. And in August, two Connecticut lawmakers sent the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency a formal letter demanding the agency prevent the overflows dumped by municipalities upstream. After heavy rains, the lawmakers wrote, solid waste can be seen floating by.
Santanella, meanwhile, said he believes that some are overstating the ease in which the sewer discharges can be addressed. The freshman lawmaker, who also sits on the Enfield Town Council, said there is little a state lawmaker can do about what is “very much a federal issue,” as the waterbody
is navigable, and the cities in question are in another state.
The Springfield Water and Sewer Commission has a long-term plan to make changes to its wastewater system to comply with an administrative order by the EPA.
In 2023, it finished a $137 million pump station on York Street to better handle heavy storms, part of the $300 million the commission has spent on addressing sewer discharges since the 1990s, according to commission spokesperson Jaimye Bartak.
Chicopee and Holyoke entered into consent decrees with the EPA, agreements that are monitored by the courts.
“The legal action that has needed to be taken has been taken,” Santanella said, “and the consent decrees are governing at the moment. There’s no value to go back to court on these issues, because they’ve already been settled through negotiation.”
Santanella grew up along the river, which carried the wastewater discharges downstream for decades.
“We knew that fishing wasn’t the best immediately after significant rainstorms in the river,” he said.
Tyler said in an email Tuesday he was unavailable for comment, as he was preparing for a court hearing that afternoon after the
Santanella campaign filed a lawsuit challenging the process for how local election officials certified Tyler’s primary petition.
“Instead of addressing important environmental public safety issues, such as all of the raw sewage continuously being dumped into the Connecticut River, Santanella is trying to lawyer his way out of having an election opponent,” Tyler wrote on Facebook recently.
Santanella, who said he has
backed legislation for renewable energy and clean water, also supported a proposal during the most recent legislative session that would have mandated notifications when untreated wastewater is discharged in Connecticut.
Regional officials have begun to meet Zawistowski was one of the
On Tuesday, June 30, a billboard featuring Enfield Democrat Tom Tyler stands in East Windsor, Connecticut, challenging State Rep. John Santaniello over pollution in the Connecticut River linked to Western Massachusetts. The billboard overlooks the
Photo credit: Douglas Hook / The Republican
Springfield takes center stage for Jazz & Roots Festival
By Miasha Lee Correspondent
SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield Jazz & Roots Festival is returning to the historic Court Square. On July 10-11, get ready for an unforgettable weekend of music, culture and community. This year’s festival has an artist lineup spanning New Orleans funk, Afro-Cuban jazz and global roots.
Executive Director Kristin Neville of Blues to Green, the nonprofit organization that presents the Springfield Jazz & Roots Festival, said, “Attendees can expect an exciting mix of nationally acclaimed artists and outstanding local talent, along with youth performances, family-friendly activities, local vendors, and a welcoming downtown atmosphere full of energy and discovery.”
They’re also excited about special offerings beyond the stage, including a talk with Etienne Charles about Gullah culture and history and its connection to America’s 250th; a Stories & Songs event with All the Rivers and the First Gen Ensemble, sharing immigrant experiences through music and theater; an Afro-Cuban music and jazz workshop led by Zaccai Curtis; and a mural paint party lifting up the stories of youth, families and immigration in Springfield.
The festival will also screen short films, including a Blues to Green project focused on the Puerto Rican community in Western Massachusetts and climate justice and resilience, so people can expect not only great performances, but a fuller cultural experience rooted in music, storytelling and community.
The Springfield Jazz & Roots Festival is a free annual music and arts festival in Downtown Springfield that celebrates jazz, roots and the cultures of the African diaspora. It brings together nationally acclaimed artists, outstanding local performers, youth ensembles, family arts activities, educational programming, local vendors and community organizations for a public gathering in the heart of the city.
From the beginning, Neville said the vision was to create a free, high-quality cultural event that would honor Black and diasporic musical traditions while also helping transform how people see Springfield. She wanted it to be a place where residents could feel pride in their city, where local artists and businesses could be uplifted, and where people from different backgrounds could come together through music in a spirit of joy and shared humanity.
“It also felt important from the start to celebrate Springfield’s cultural diversity and reflect that richness through artists from near and far,” Neville said. “Part of
the inspiration behind the festival was to spotlight the extraordinary contributions that Afro-descended communities have made to our shared culture, including so much of the music we listen to today, while also honoring the many cultures that shape Springfield itself.”
And for her, especially through her late husband Charles Neville’s life in music as a touring artist with the Neville Brothers from New Orleans, it was important not just to present the art, but to create opportunities for people to better understand the social, cultural and historical contexts out of which the music comes. “There are stories in this music,” Neville said. “There are joys and struggles. And there is artistry and creative excellence that deserve to be recognized and honored.”
In an upcoming episode of “So That Reminds Me,” Neville also talked about her inspiration in organizing the festival.
“I felt inspired to try to work with music as a vehicle to bring people together, foster unity, healing and awareness, and action around social and environmental issues,” she said.
Neville’s hope is that this year’s festival will once again bring thousands of people downtown for a joyful, inspiring experience and leave them feeling more connected to the music, to one another and to Springfield itself. She wants the festival to be a place not only of celebration, but also of recognition: a place where people can experience beauty and enjoyment while understanding more about the histories, communities and lived experiences carried in the art.
“This year feels especially meaningful because we’re returning to Court Square, where the festival first began,” Neville said. “I want the legacy of the festival to be that it helped show what’s possible when a city invests in culture, community and joy. If it has helped people feel more pride in Springfield, more connection to one another, and more belief in a joyful, creative, just, and compassionate future, that would be a
legacy I’d be very proud of.”
For more info and updates, go to springfieldjazzfest.com.
Neville will also talk about the Jazz & Roots Festival on the July 3 episode of “So That Reminds Me” with hosts Ryan Feyre and Tyler Garnet. To listen to the episode when it airs head to there
minder.com/ourpodcast or search “So That Reminds Me” on your favorite podcasting platform. The 2026 lineup includes:
• Dumpstaphunk: The legendary New Orleans funk powerhouse carries forward the Neville family legacy with explosive live energy.
• Omar Sosa: The visionary Cuban pianist blends Afro-Cuban roots and global jazz into a rich, rhythmic sound.
• Etienne Charles: Gullah Roots: The Trinidad-born trumpeter connects jazz with the history of the African diaspora.
• Zaccai Curtis: Cubop Lives!: The Grammy-winning pianist leads an ensemble at the intersection of bebop and Afro-Cuban jazz.
Global & Local Standouts: From the immigrant-led ensemble All the Rivers and Uganda-rooted Zikina to Springfield favorites like Malado!, Chestina Thrower, and the vin-
tage swing of Dan Gabel and the Gabeltones.
• David Rivera y La Bámbula: The Puerto Rican singer, songwriter and drummer blends trop-
ical rhythms, R&B, hip-hop and Caribbean dance traditions into a bold, rhythm-forward sound. Managing Editor Dennis Hackett contributed to this report.
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From left: Endea Owens & the Cookout performing at last year’s festival. The crowd dancing and jamming along to the music.
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Lamont announces state grants to preserve 1,243 acres of land
HARTFORD — Gov. Ned Lamont on June 23 announced that his administration is awarding $9.4 million in state grants to support the purchase and protection of more than 1,243 acres of open space through 14 properties in 15 communities. Additionally, $2.4 million is being awarded to support the improvement of 15 urban green and community garden spaces.
Funding is provided through the Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Grant Program (OSWA) and the Urban Green and Community Gardens Grant Program, both of which are administered by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.
“Open space provides benefits to residents across Connecticut and makes our state a great place to live,” Lamont said. “These community assets provide free recreational opportunities and connect our residents to all the health benefits that come from spending time outdoors.”
Recent statutory changes to these programs have made them more accessible and equitable
and have led to sharp upticks in the pace of conservation recently. Within the OSWA program, underserved communities are now eligible for reimbursement of the incidental costs associated with land conservation. These statutory changes also included adding Environmental Justice Communities to the eligible locations for projects for UGCG and for increased funding for OSWA. This opened the door for more than 40 additional municipalities to benefit from both programs.
Additionally, nonprofits were also added as eligible entities for UGCG, which has increased participation. As a result of these changes, UGCG received the most applications and biggest demand for funding that it has seen since the program’s inception in 2007.
“The Lamont administration, our partners in the state Legislature, and land conservation stakeholders remain focused and committed to protecting open space and realizing the recreational and environmental benefits it provides as we continue to work toward Connecticut’s open space
goal,” DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes said. “DEEP is proud of the recent statutory changes made in conjunction with advocates and the state legislature that have increased access and equity in these two programs. DEEP is excited to work with all these wonderful partners to bring tangible benefits to more communities across Connecticut.”
Since OSWA began in 1998, more than $199.6 million in Community Investment Act and state bond funding has been awarded to municipalities, nonprofit land conservation organizations, and water companies to assist in the purchase of more than 49,000 acres of publicly accessible land. Since 2019, almost $66 million has been awarded through OSWA to protect almost 14,000 acres. Additionally, since 2019, $4.4 million has been awarded for 36 projects through UGCG, with 2.4 million and 15 of those projects coming in just this award year alone thanks to recent statutory changes.
The grants awarded today are the 28th grant round under both programs. The application pe-
riod for the 29th grant round of both programs is now open. Applications for OSWA and OSWA appraisals will be due by Nov. 6 and OSWA appraisal reviews and UGCG applications will be due by Dec. 4. For application materials and instructions, visit portal.ct.gov/deep/openspace/open-space.
Among the awardees was the town of Enfield which we received $250,000 for renovations to the Barnes Boat Launch. Barnes Boat Launch is currently a 1.12-acre paved, flood-prone and underutilized parcel within the Thompsonville neighborhood in the town of Enfield. This project aims to convert the launch into an ADA-accessible, resilient, and welcoming waterfront park, where the public can safely enjoy the Connecticut River while continuing to support small boat access. The project proposes to create a community beach zone, with gentle slopes and natural surfacing, to facilitate access and enjoyment of the water’s edge. Terraced hillside seating will enhance passive recreation and prevent erosion. New benches,
trash receptacles, and interpretive signage will complete the site’s transformation into a new, safe, and welcoming riverfront park.
Connecticut’s open space goals Connecticut General Statutes Section 23-8 establishes a goal of protecting 673,210 acres — approximately 21% of the state’s land base — as open space. The goal calls for 320,576 acres (10%) to be held by DEEP as part of the state’s system of parks, forests, fisheries and natural resource management areas, and 352,634 acres (11%) to be acquired by DEEP’s partners, which include municipalities, nonprofit land conservation organizations and water companies. As of December 31, 2025, DEEP estimates that its partners held approximately 256,568 acres, 72.7% of their share of the state’s open space goal, and that DEEP held approximately 265,830 acres, 82.9% of its share of the state’s goal. In total, 522,398 acres have been preserved (77.6% of the total goal), leaving an additional 150,812 acres remaining to meet the 21% open space goal.
STCC announces 1,455 students dean’s list for spring 2026
SPRINGFIELD — Springfield Technical Community College recently celebrated the 1,455 students who were named to the spring 2026 dean’s list. The dean’s list is published
Sewage
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Connecticut lawmakers to write to the EPA about the Massachusetts sewer discharges.
“People started really noticing it this past year,” Zawistowski said. “I think people just took it for granted, and all of a sudden people just got fed up.”
U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, the Democrat representing the district that includes Enfield, wrote a letter partially addressed to Zawistowski in September, saying residents
each semester to recognize excellence in academic performance. To be considered, degree-seeking students must earn 12 or more college level credits in the current semester, or a to-
in Enfield had been contacting his office for four months about the wastewater in the river.
He told the lawmaker he supported efforts in Congress to provide funding for public water projects, but he said communities in Western Massachusetts were at risk of being affected by a Trump administration effort to “undercut more than $2.4 billion in congressional support for cleanup projects in distressed areas of the country.”
Starting in December, Zawistowski has held a handful of meetings with Holyoke officials where they hold roundtable dis-
tal of 12 or more combined college-level credits earned during the fall and spring semesters, and achieve a 3.3 or above grade point average. Student names are listed un-
cussions, compare notes and brainstorm new approaches to the decades-old problem of sewer discharges into the river, according to the lawmaker. They plan to meet again in September.
The effort doesn’t even have an official name, Zawistowski said, but eventually the group would like to involve officials from New Hampshire and Vermont. A representative from a nonprofit agency in New York has participated in the meetings.
Funding to address the sewer discharges, Zawistowski said, has to come from the federal govern
der the towns or cities in which they reside.
ment. But one question is how to get federal funding going to Boston to flow more to the western part of Massachusetts, she said.
Mary Monahan, former public works director for Holyoke who now provides consulting services as the city recently hired a company to handle its wastewater, said the funding for addressing combined sewer systems in places like Hartford, Connecticut, are different than in Western Massachusetts.
In Connecticut, the state funded much of the efforts. In Western Massachusetts, ratepayers have picked up much of the tab.
Holyoke has spent about $100 million to address its sewer discharges, Monahan said. It has to perform about $45 million worth of work to comply with its consent decree.
There is a proposal in Congress to create a dedicated funding stream to address projects in the Connecticut River watershed, but it has sat in a committee in the U.S. Senate, according to Monahan. The meetings, she said, entail “putting all this brain power together in the same room” from people who share a common goal, even if priorities differ.
“If we can get some leadership from the political side of things, maybe we can make some big things happen,” Monahan said. While the measure, similar to the law on the books in Massachusetts, overwhelmingly passed the Connecticut House, it failed to make it through the Connecticut Senate, according to state Rep. Tami Zawistowski, a Republican representing the district across the river from Santanella.
Enfield Sumner Conklin, Abdelrahman Failla, Isabelle Jacques, Kaitlyn R. Landry, Sharlene N.
Lopez, Rachel D. McCoy, Kade J. Redman, Madison L. Schoen and Zongyu Xie.
Somers Mia R. Cosker and William J. Riddle.
Annual Mt. Caramel Society Italian Festa returns July 31
By Dennis Hackett dhackett@thereminder.com
ENFIELD — Enfield’s Our Lady of Mt. Caramel Society is pulling out all the stops for its 100th annual Italian Festa, which takes place July 31 to Aug. 2.
This year’s three-day event includes homemade Italian food, a carnival, performances from local musicians, religious observations and special guest appearances from Deana Martin and Tony Orlando.
The Mt. Caramel Society was founded in 1926 by Italian immigrants that came to the Thompsonville section of Enfield.
“They came here, they were willing to work hard, they brought their culture, their faith in God and they wanted to be good Americans and their kids to be Americans, so they’d have opportunity,” Mt. Caramel Society President Carl Sferrazza said. “And they brought most of all, their faith in God, in this case the Blessed Mother, Our Lady of Mt. Caramel.”
Sferrazza added that there is a connection between current and former members because they were their parents, aunts and uncles.
“We carry forth their memory and the values that they brought to America 100 years, which is our faith in God, our love of the United States, a love of family
and friends, our food and our music,” he said. “And those values were what they built their life upon, the foundation 100 years ago, and I’d like to think that today they’re not antiquated ideals, that we still continue today to honor them by living our life that way and I know they’d be proud of us.”
Sferrazza said people can look forward to homemade Italian food throughout the festival.
“All the food that we serve here, there are no food trucks, we won’t allow it. We want to control the quality of the food as well as the price,” he said. “We know that we are catering to our family and friends and residents, so all the food here is prepared in our kitchens upstairs by the members of Mt. Caramel, so it’s not a food truck thing like the Big E. If I can brag a little bit, we are known for the quality of our Italian food.”
Sferrazza added that while attendees can expect traditional Italian food like spaghetti and meatballs, the society’s fried dough is “legendary.” For desserts, Sferrazza said people will be able to try food from “Cake Boss,” as the festival is partnering with Maurizio Belgiovine, the director of operations at Carlo’s Bakery.
The festival kicks off on Thursday, July 30, with a religious candlelight procession followed by free coffee, soda and
TheReminder.com
Every month 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 monthly.
ENFIELD
Lynn S. Ballard (St. Germain)
Robert Michael Bellucci
David W. Boilard
Patricia S. Boulette (Mabey)
Robert John “Bob” Crescitelli
Richard G. Dooley
Paul J. Raschi
Lorraine Roczniak
Richard A Ruggiero Dolores (Dee) Shover
Ann M. “Kapiak” Snyder
Julie Stefaniak (Dahl) Peege L. Stevens Evelinn (Arroyo) Velazquez
Kyle C. Whitney SOMERS
Robert George Normand
Italian pastries. On Friday, July 31, Johnny Six Guns will be performing and on Sunday, July 2, Brat Pack will be performing. Sferrazza said Saturday’s performance is the “pinnacle” with Martin’s appearance.
“Deana Martin, the daughter of Dean Martin, who performed here 2006 until 2016, every year, will be returning to perform that night. Those years that she was here, as a gesture of goodwill to Mt. Caramel, she always called on one of her celebrity friends,” he said.
Some of those celebrity friends include Mary Wilson, Bobby Rydell and Joe Piscopo.
This year, Sferrazza said the celebrity friend is Tony Orlando, who is coming out of retirement for the festival.
Sferrazza said his wife suggested getting Martin to perform for the first time in 2006 after seeing she was going to perform at Foxwoods. He then picked up her book “Through my Father’s Eyes,” and found out that his favorite food was pasta fazool. His wife then made pasta fazool to bring to a meet and greet following her Foxwoods performance.
“I asked her if she’d come here and I explained that our resources are limited and her husband John stepped in and said it’s not always about the money it’s about relationships. As I was leaving, John says, ‘you know maybe some time we can come,’ and Deana said, ‘nope, we’re going this year,’” he said.
On Sunday morning, there will be an outdoor mass at 9 a.m.
“This particular mass, because it’s 100 years, will be celebrated by the archbishop of Hartford.
of our community,” Post Ruhland said. “Relying entirely on sponsorships and donations, our community makes it happen. In addition, we rely on hundreds of volunteers to assist with the setup, weekend operations, and break down. We truly could not do this without the support we receive.”
Like many large-scale events,
The mass is a combination of a traditional mass, but some of the readings are in Italian and it’s just a great opportunity for people to come and see,” he said.
Following the mass, the society will take the statue of the Blessed Mother and put it on a float and process with the float through the streets of Thompsonville. Alongside the procession, a Boston-based Italian marching band will perform.
While Sferrazza said Thompsonville initially was the Italian section of Enfield, he said the society continues the tradition in honor of the society’s founders and religious beliefs.
He added that preparations for the festival are done entirely by the members of the society.
“What you’ll see is, usually starting right after the Fourth of July, our members will get out of work, change into their clothes and come and we work together to make this happen,” he said.
Reflecting on the 100th anniversary, Sferrazza said he wanted to honor the society’s founders with the festival.
“It’s a celebration — not just of the current members — but we really want to pay homage and respect to our founders, pretty heroic people. Uneducated, but hard-working, brick layers, stone masons, carpenters, they left their country, they left their family behind to come to America, so their children could be Americans and have a better way of life,” he said.
“I think they’d be pretty proud that 100 years have gone by and the seeds that they planted back in 1926 continue today.”
Sferrazza said the society is a 501c3 nonprofit and they give
the celebration faces annual operational and financial challenges. However, organizers continue to adapt and improve.
“Every year poses challenges with different operational and financial needs,” Post Ruhland said. “We are constantly learning from previous years and adapting as well as working with our sponsors and key partners to ensure an enjoyable celebration for all who attend!”
For Post Ruhland, the event’s
back to the community by allowing people to use its field as a town park, offering its hall for the town to use for ceremonies and events, hosting a dinner fundraiser for Wreaths Across America in Enfield and much more. The society also hosts a “Mt. Caramel style” pasta supper once a month.
“We’re very community oriented and that’s what we want to do is we want to be good neighbors and help all those different charities,” he said.
Everything the society does is catered to families.
“Coming into Mt. Caramel I feel that time stands still, it still feels like may the 1950s, 1960s, by design,” he said. “We all know the reality of our world today, but it’s a reprieve from what’s going on outside, and you come here and you see your neighbors or people you went to high school with, you get a folding chair, you sit in front of the band stand, you eat some great food, it’s local, it’s safe, everything we do here is catered for families.”
Sferrazza said the festival is an opportunity for the public and members of the society to celebrate the society’s values.
“It’s a very special place, certainly for me and for a lot of people that grew up in town. For the people that didn’t grow up in town it’s a great opportunity to come and try something here that’s a little different,” he said.
Tickets for the festival are $5 and children under 12 get in for free. The festival runs from 5-11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 5-10 p.m. on Sunday.
Enfield’s Our Lady of Mt. Caramel Society is located at 93 Park Ave.
lasting appeal lies in its ability to bring people together.
“To me, the Enfield Fourth of July Town Celebration continues to be a mainstay in the community because it embodies everything that makes Enfield and the surrounding area a community,” she said. “From our sponsors and volunteers, to the guests who come from all over year after year, the community comes together to celebrate the Fourth of July at a fun, family friendly, free event.”
As anticipation builds, organizers are eager to welcome attendees.
“We have so many exciting things planned for this year!” Post Ruhland said. “We cannot wait to see everyone come out July 10 to 12.”
The celebration’s organizers also expressed gratitude to their title sponsors: The town of Enfield, Bud Light, Channel 3 and USA Waste and Recycling. A full schedule of events and additional information can be found at enfieldcelebration.org, with real-time updates available through the Enfield Fourth of July Town Celebration Facebook page and Instagram account @enfieldfojtc.
