Timothy Sheehan sat down recently with Reminder Publishing to discuss the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead for the city in 2026.
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DA connects with youth through outreach programs
The public may think of the Hampden County District Attorney’s office only when they have an interaction with law enforcement.
However, District Attorney Anthony Gulluni has made it part of his mission to introduce himself to young people and connect with them on a variety of issues.
Page 3
Springfield woman creating ‘ecosystem’ of trucking, trades
Asiala Rivera has a vision. Where others may see truck driving, electricians and blighted properties, Rivera sees an opportunity to create a workforce development ecosystem.
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MLK’s dream kept alive in Springfield at celebration
By Sarah Heinonen sheinonen@thereminder.com
SPRINGFIELD — Springfield’s 11th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration was filled with song, remarks by elected officials and the words of the city’s schoolchildren, all celebrating accomplishments while acknowledging how far the United States has yet to go.
The theme of this year’s celebration was “Restoring Justice: Reclaiming the Dream.” Springfield Schools Superintendent Sonia Dinnall said children are “the carrier of the dream.” True to her roots as an educator, Dinnall said, “Reclaiming is a verb. It is an action word.” She continued, “It takes the collective efforts of each and every one of us in this room today to do our part to reclaim the dream. And guess what? I dream without action is merely a fantasy.”
Speaking of King, Mayor Domenic Sarno said his principles are universal, but that the laws that came from King’s work and the Civil Rights Movement, namely the Civil Rights Act, the Voting Rights Act and the Fair Housing Act, “are now all under siege.”
He said, “It is up to us, each and every one of you, in what you do every day to continue to carry on the legacy of Dr. King.”
Echoing Sarno, Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll said, “The hard-won gains of the Civil Rights Movement are being stripped away.”
Pointing to Dinnall and City Council President Tracye Whitfield, both the first Black women to serve in their respective roles, Driscoll said, “Representation changes outcomes.”
Reflecting on civil rights leaders, Whitfield said, “I’m standing here today because of the work they did on voting rights.” She
said King believed change starts with everyday people and so the job of children is “being kind when it’s hard” and “standing up when something’s wrong.”
State Rep. Carlos Gonzalez fired up the crowd. He challenged them to think of the world in 10 years’ time and asking what they would be able to tell the children
of today that they did to make their voices heard. He said Springfield is a “great” city because the may-
SPRINGFIELD
Top, The “Songstress of Springfield,” Vanessa Ford, sings “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” a song known as the African American national anthem, at the 2026 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day celebration. Bottom, from left: Tracye Whitfield, Springfield’s first Black woman City Council president, speaks at the Martin Luther King Jr. Day event. Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, flanked by City Council President Tracye Whitfield and state Rep. Orlando Ramos, speaks to the crowd on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Mayor Domenic Sarno and Chief Development Officer Timothy Sheehan sat down recently with Reminder Publishing to discuss the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead for the city in 2026.
The city has seen much economic development in recent years. Sarno said there has been $5 billion of investment in downtown Springfield over the past decade, including $1 billion from MGM Springfield. Touting another development, Sarno said, “What was Eastfield Mall, now Springfield Crossing, is the job they said would never get done.”
Springfield has many more opportunities for development in the near future. Among them, the city is in talks with Durra Panel, an Australian company that makes building materials from wheat waste product. The company will soon be touring potential sites for manufacturing.
The city is preparing for construction of a new district courthouse. Over the past couple of years, there has been significant uncertainty over where the courthouse will be built. While the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance had considered moving the courthouse out of the city, Sarno said he emphatically advocated to keep it in downtown Springfield.
In 2025, developer Peter Picknelly purchased land along the riverfront with a proposal to site the courthouse there, along with housing and a marina. Sarno said he favored that location, but there are also proposals to site the courthouse on Main, State, Liberty, Chestnut, Dwight and Maple streets. DCAMM is expected to decide on a location this year.
Once the new courthouse is built, the site of the existing Springfield District Courthouse will offer another opportunity for redevelopment. “That’s prime property,” Sarno said. Sheehan said he is working on a master plan for that property, the juvenile court building at 80 State St. and
Old First Church at 50 Elm St.
Sheehan said Gov. Maura Healey recently declared Western Massachusetts to be a “quantum computing hub.” Quantum computing has the ability to process vast amounts of data in relatively short periods of time, taking hours to compute what would normally take months. Springfield Technical Community College was awarded a $1 million grant to study what will be needed to create a quantum computing center and how much it will cost.
While the technology is exciting to some, Sarno said, “All I want to hear about is jobs.”
Jobs are also on Sarno’s mind when it comes to CRRC, the Springfield-based affiliate of a Chinese railcar manufacturer that is experiencing difficulties importing its materials. Sarno explained that the materials and parts are imported from China and have been seized by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol.
In March, the company is expected to lay off 161 employees.
“These are good paying jobs, good American manufacturing jobs. Doesn’t this defeat the purpose? Wasn’t it supposed to support jobs here?” Sarno said of President Donald Trump’s tariff policies.
Another federal issue that is impacting Springfield is Congress’s struggle to agree on Medicare and Medicaid subsidies. The programs are an integral part of hospital funding and are expected to add to market pressures felt by Mercy Medical Center and Baystate Health. Mercy suspended its maternity and newborn services in November 2025 due to staffing constraints. Meanwhile, Baystate, the largest employer in Western Massachusetts, announced it was seeking voluntary separations for some of its 13,000 employees.
Noting that Baystate offers the only level one trauma center in the Pioneer Valley, Sarno said he has been working with the state to “keep Baystate moving forward and thriving.”
While large companies like Baystate are important, Sarno
said the small businesses that make up the fabric of downtown Springfield are vital. “People got to come back to work,” he said. “It’s hurting the ecosystem of downtown.” Many companies embraced remote work or downsized during the coronavirus pandemic. Despite the crisis having passed, remote employment has become the new normal for many. Sheehan predicted it will take 20 to 25 years for office real estate to fully recover from the impacts of COVID-19.
In the meantime, Sheehan said, the small businesses that rely on foot traffic are suffering. “It’s the coffee shop, the lunch counter,” he said. Retail shops also experience the loss.
That said, Sheehan estimated that the city’s small businesses are 80% recovered. He said Springfield is an easy city to access for commuters and there has been an “incremental, steady comeback.”
Housing is a major priority for the city. Sarno said MGM Springfield has yet to make good on its promise to build hous-
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or and other leaders are the children of immigrants. “That’s the American Dream,” the Springfield Democrat said. “America is a great country where we all rise to the top.”
The program included music from the children from Martin Luther King Jr. Charter School of Excellence, the Community
Music School of Springfield and Children’s Chorus of Springfield.
The Martin Luther King Jr. Charter School of Excellence Steppers also performed. Youth from Martin Luther King Jr. Family Services’ King’s Kids program read letters to King, while those from Parent Villages read poems. Mah’dee Naylor Jr. finished his poem, saying, “The dream was never meant to be framed. It was meant to be lived, defended and reclaimed.”
ing at 101 State St. He said he recently voiced his displeasure at a meeting with the owners.
“Lots of work was done to make MGM happen. Now, they have to hold up their end of the bargain,” he said. Sarno pointed to 31 Elm St. as an example of successful housing development in the city. He said there was much skepticism when first proposed, but the market-rate units are completely full. Likewise, Sheehan said developments in downtown Springfield have yielded more return than expected.
Another location for potential housing is the shuttered Vibra Hospital at 1400 State St. Abutting blunt Park and Roger Putnam Vocational Technical Academy, the 17-acre site would be a prime location for housing development. The city had tried to acquire the property, but there is a $10 million lien on it, and the owners have allowed it to fall into disrepair. The city has since sued the owners of the property.
Sarno said a private developer
is interested in the property and would be willing to preserve the historic part of the building that was once Springfield City Hospital’s tuberculosis isolation ward. However, the property owners have refused to engage with the developer, as it had refused to respond to the city during its negotiations. “We don’t want it to become a zombie property,” Sarno said.
“Housing development for all income levels is critically important,” Sheehan said. Setting aside the tax revenue it creates, it draws more people into Springfield. Sarno explained that the city has a population of about 155,000. If it drops below 150,000, the city is eligible for a lower tier of Community Development Block Grant funding from the state. With housing comes the need for schools. There are plans to renovate several of Springfield’s schools, including Gerena Community, and White and Washington Street schools. “We’ve done the most rehabbed schools in Massachusetts,” Sarno said.
Mayor Domenic Sarno speaks at the city’s menorah lighting in December 2025. Reminder Publishing file photo
Top row, from left: A booth for the Executive Office of Veterans Services is set up next to a booth selling T-shirts. Someone adds a photo to an oversized piece of artwork with the message, “Justice looks like me.” Bottom, Artist Frankie Borrero works on a painting at a booth at the Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration.
Reminder Publishing photos by Sarah Heinonen
Gomez shares his legislative goals for 2026
By Sarah Heinonen sheinonen@thereminder.com
SPRINGFIELD — January 2026 marks the middle of the state’s two-year legislative session, and Reminder Publishing reached out to lawmakers to discuss their goals for the year ahead. State Sen. Adam Gomez shared his priorities and what bills he is focused on.
“With ICE raids still threatening our communities and ongoing funding challenges under the current federal administration,” the Springfield Democrat said, “I’ve filed legislation to end 287(g) agreements,” which authorize ICE to delegate immigration officer functions to state and local law enforcement. The legislation would also establish an immigration legal defense fund. “These are common sense, dignity-driven
policies that reflect our values and our responsibility to stand up for the people who call our state home,” he said. Gomez is continuing work on bills he launched in 2025, including an amendment to the state’s cannabis legislation. The legislation would prohibit any cannabis seller licensed under state law from receiving credit from a distributor for more than 60 days. Anyone in violation of this would receive a $5,000 fine. It would also create a list of licensees in violation of this rule and prohibit cannabis sale or delivery for credit and prevents a change in ownership of the license until the violation is settled. The bill provides an opportunity to apply for an exception if the business is “seriously damaged” by circumstances beyond the owner’s control, including rioting, fire, explosion
or an act of God. The bill is in the process of being reconciled with a similar bill in the state House of Representatives.
The senator also supports the so-called “Raise the Age” bill, which would increase the age at which offenders are no longer processed under the juvenile justice system from age 18 to 21. Proponents of raising the age point out that 18-yearolds are not considered mature enough to legally purchase or consume alcohol, tobacco or cannabis. They argue that maturity should be similarly considered in the legal system, although opponents note that 18-year-olds can vote and serve in the military.
The final priority for Gomez is housing access. He has filed legislation that would legislation to improve emergency housing assistance for
children and families experiencing homelessness, prohibit landlords from running credit reports on tenants with housing subsidies and create a program to help recently incarcerated people understand housing options, find pathways to housing and receive financial supports.
DA connects with youth through outreach programs
By Sarah Heinonen sheinonen@thereminder.com
SPRINGFIELD — The public may think of the Hampden County District Attorney’s office only when they have an interaction with law enforcement. However, District Attorney Anthony Gulluni has made it part of his mission to introduce himself to young people and connect with them on a variety of issues.
“Public safety is my end goal, but there’s a lot of ways we can get there,” Gulluni said. His office has a robust series of outreach presentations and programs, which Director of Community Safety and Outreach Antonio Simmons said is “unique” to the Hampden County district attorney’s office.
“I started talking about this when I was elected in 2014,” Gulluni said. He took office as the national opioid crisis was worsening into an epidemic. The public health and safety emergency led the office to partner with experts and begin educating young people and families.
“It proved community engagement was important to making progress,” Gulluni said. Since then, engagement, particularly with middle school and high school students, has been a key part of the office’s strategy to reduce crime and increase public safety. It has also allowed the office to pull back the curtain and be transparent about how law enforcement and the legal system work.
In 2025 alone, members of Gulluni’s office engaged with about 14,000 young people at schools and community events. Most of the engagement is done through preventative programs. Just Once explores the dangers of experimenting with drugs and prescription medicines. There is also the 1 in 11: Preventing Dating Violence presentation, and presentations about internet, social media and gaming safety.
Hoop Up Springfield invites youth to American International College Sports Complex “with the lure of a basketball game,” Gulluni said, but provides an opportunity to show them the college’s campus and encourages them to picture themselves going to college, as well as applying for a summer job.
The district attorney’s office recently launched Herizon, a program aimed at teaching girls about leadership and goal setting and giving them a safe space to share their challenges. Gulluni said it “exceeded expectations,” with more than 30 girls taking part in the voluntary program. The program is run by women in the office, providing the girls with a chance to see a potential future working in the legal system. Court tours allow students to see themselves working in the legal system, be it in law enforcement, as a prosecutor or as a judge. “Opportunities are everywhere,” Gulluni said.
Simmons said storytelling is the “key” factor in engaging with
youth because it lets them put themselves in the situations that are discussed.
Rather than purchasing readymade presentations, the programs are all designed by the Gulluni’s office. It has allowed them to tailor presentations on the issues affecting particular towns and cities in Hampden County. Videos feature experienced local prosecutors, victims and former perpetrators.
Simmons said it is “getting harder” to present developmentally appropriate material to middle schoolers. He said young people are exposed to swearing, nudity and adult topics at earlier ages than in the past.
The “scared straight” programs that were common in the 1990s and early 2000s are the wrong approach to interacting with students, Gulluni said. Rather than intimidation, he said, “It’s talking to people at their level. There’s a lot of scary stuff out there, but we’ve been able to package it in a way that breaks that down. We’re going into schools all over the county with a fundamental philosophy that every kid can do great things.”
Gulluni shared a story about visiting Chestnut Legacy School. The crowd of 200 eighth graders were restless at the beginning of the
Tech Foundry graduates fall 2025 cohort
SPRINGFIELD — On Jan. 13, Tech Foundry, Western Massachusetts’s preeminent IT support training program, graduated its fall 2025 cohort of students, who dedicated 18 weeks to advancing their technology skills to prepare for entry-level tech roles in helpdesk, systems and network administration. Students have completed Tech Foundry’s rigorous classroom training, month-long internships and earned Google IT Support Certificates.
Kalord Lee and Dondre Scott were elected by their classmates to speak during the ceremony. They both remarked on the unwavering support of the Tech Foundry staff and their fellow classmates throughout the program. Scott went further to say, “Everyone at Tech Foundry taught me that tech wasn’t the end game. It was the
starting point … Success doesn’t end at one job. It’s the journey to gaining the life you want to live … The best thing Tech Foundry taught me is that my success is going to mirror the effort that I put in.” Scott is one of the first graduates to obtain a full-time tech job, launching his career at Paragus IT.
Jose Delgado, Springfield City Council vice president, shared his personal journey with the graduates, imploring them to work hard and never give up on their dreams no matter what obstacles lie in the way. “I enjoyed getting to meet this cohort of students and I’m excited for their future. Their energy and enthusiasm for the program was on full display. Tech Foundry is giving students hope and building the future IT professionals right here in Springfield. “
Tech Foundry CEO Tricia Ca-
BIG Y ANNOUNCES PROMOTIONS
SPRINGFIELD — Big Y is announcing a series of promotions within the company as part of its continued focus on nurturing talent, supporting a culture of growth and recognizing the hard work and passion of its employees. Samuel K. Baidoo, pharmacy manager, supermarket; Ashley M. Boland Cordero, deli/kitchen manager, supermarket; Audrey J. Dulude, employee services representative, supermarket Dennis M. Sheehan, Jr., night manager, supermarket of Springfield were all promoted. According to Michael J. Galat, vice president of employee services, “Big Y is dedicated to providing the tools, resources and training necessary to support our employees as they grow in their careers. We are proud to see them develop new capabilities and embrace greater responsibility.”
navan added, “Every graduation ceremony for Tech Foundry is special, showcasing the perseverance of the people we serve. I was honored by the number of community members, family and friends who came to support the
accomplishments of this group of students, and thankful for the community of supporters and partners that make this work possible. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for the fall 2025 cohort.”
State Sen. Adam Gomez. Reminder Publishing file photo
The Tech Foundry fall 2025 cohort recently graduated. Reminder Publishing submitted photo
District Attorney Anthony Gulluni speaks to eighth graders at Birchland Park Middle School in East Longmeadow as part of his office’s Adopt-aClass outreach program.
Reminder
photo
Springfield woman creating ‘ecosystem’ of trucking, trades
By Sarah Heinonen sheinonen@thereminder.com
SPRINGFIELD — Asiala Rivera has a vision. Where others may see truck driving, electricians and blighted properties, Rivera sees an opportunity to create a workforce development ecosystem.
Six years ago, Rivera worked for the national dairy manufacturer HP Hood, but as was the case for so many people, when the coronavirus pandemic shut down much of the country’s business, she lost her job.
“COVID really shook me up,” Rivera said. “I knew life had changed.” In addition to being out of work, Rivera had three children at home and would become pregnant with her fourth in 2023.
Rivera’s husband was a truck driver, and she realized that many of the skills and knowledge she had acquired in her old job could be used in trucking. She decided to create her own freight brokerage firm, CCR Freight Logistics. A freight brokerage is a company that acts as an intermediary between manufacturers or shippers and trucking companies who transport the goods to their destinations. She said CCR Freight Logistics is the first Black-owned brokerage in Massachusetts.
By Sarah Heinonen sheinonen@thereminder.com
SPRINGFIELD — It was only the second year of operation for the O’Dell Women’s Center Foundation, but it made a substantial impact in the city of Springfield and surrounding communities. In 2025, the foundation awarded $550,000 in grants and emergency funding to nonprofits that improve the lives of women.
The O’Dell Women’s Center was established in 2023 to aid the circumstances and future prospects of women in Springfield. Located at 45 Lyman St., the center offers educational and career opportunities and community support programs. It also houses Dress for Success Western Massachusetts, a nonprofit that helps women prepare for job interviews. In its first year of philanthropic giving, the foundation distributed $250,000. After more than doubling that amount in 2025, the organization has set goals to distribute $750,000 at
SPRINGFIELD — Dakin Humane Society has named Dr. Katie Spaulding medical director of its organization, according to Executive Director Meg Talbert. Recently, Spaulding worked as an infection preventionist for the Hawaii State Department of
Because Rivera can work from her living room, she said freight brokering gave her the opportunity to be home and “be present” with her youngest son throughout his first year. She said, “That’s something I didn’t have with any of my other kids.”
Rivera threw herself into the freight industry, researching the industry and making connections. She said, “Anyone can get started. It takes a lot of hard work, a lot of door knocking, a lot of cold calls, a lot of research.”
During Rivera’s research into the freight industry, she discovered how rampant the issue of predatory truck leasing is. Companies often lease their trucks to drivers who are paid by the mile, but Rivera said some companies use predatory practices to lock drivers into exclusive contracts and pay a fraction of the going rate.
“It’s a flat-out scam,” she said. While a bill to address this problem is working its way through the U.S. House of Representatives, Rivera decided to raise awareness of issues like these. She started a “Truckucation” program, to educate people who are new to the trucking industry about their rights, opportunities and how to pursue their goals.
the end of this year and $1 million in 2027.
Executive Director Margaret Tantillo explained that the foundation’s funding cycle opens to applications in July and closes in September. In 2025, $450,000 in grants were awarded to nine organizations and institutions for programs that help remove barriers to educational, economic and social stability.
• Bay Path University — to support a new emergency assistance initiative for Springfield-based students facing unexpected crises, which will help women remain enrolled.
• Dress for Success Western Massachusetts — to provide a continuum of career support and help women achieve longterm financial independence.
• Girls Inc. of the Valley — to support the Eureka! Program, a no-cost, five-year STEM initiative.
• The Gray House — to strengthen adult education services for low-income migrants
Health and served as a One Health subcommittee member for the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists’ Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Task Force.
While living in Hawaii, Spaulding spent six years working with various animal welfare
She said it is a pathway into the industry beyond simply helping people obtain their commercial driver’s license.
Not content to focus only on the freight industry, Rivera said she is looking to build a workforce development program and revitalize housing at the same time. Rivera, whose father was a tradesperson, wants to “reinvigorate a love of the trades,” including plumbing, electrical and carpentry. To do this, she is working with investors to pilot a pre-apprenticeship program at a three-level house on Fort Pleasant Avenue in Springfield. The ground floor will act as a learning hub for tradecraft; the second floor will have opportunities for hands-on, supervised learning and the third floor will allow people to renovate the apartment and put what they have learned to use.
“There’s a lot of red tape under apprenticeship programs” and “it can be hard to get a slot,” Rivera said. She believes her pre-apprenticeship program could give people an advantage.
Rather than selling the building when done, Rivera said she wants to create low-income housing opportunities. She foresees the housing helping people who are reentering the workforce af-
ter incarceration, and perhaps some of those people would enter the trucking industry. Using this model with multiple multi-family homes, she plans to build a portfolio of properties in Spring-
and refugees.
It Takes a Village — to expand basic needs programming that fills critical service gaps for low-income women and families.
• MassHire Holyoke — to implement the GLOW program in Springfield, a holistic workforce initiative combining intensive case management, job placement and wraparound support.
• South End Community Center — to offer safe, reliable childcare through afterschool, vacation, summer and school-closure programs, supporting parents’ ability to work and pursue education.
• Tech Foundry — to deliver digital literacy instruction, professional development and career mapping for women participating through YWCA programming.
• United Way of Pioneer Valley — to increase food pantry access and strengthening Thrive Financial Wellness program-
organizations across the islands to provide accessible veterinary care and perform surgical sterilization for the free-roaming cat population there. She also worked as a marine animal stranding volunteer veterinarian with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
CHICOPEE
Dcn. Gerald S. Campion
Jean J. Croteau Sr.
Nora Bridget Healy
Robert J. Hopkins
Teresa A. Perlak
France E. Talbot
Carol Voyik
Antoni Wieczorek
Donna M. Woods
John J. Zajdel
EAST LONGMEADOW
Brian A. Falk
William R. Fielding
Rose B. Lupi
Antoinette M. Maccarini
HOLYOKE
Patricia Curran
Richard Guyott Sr. Susan Sheehan
Helen M. Werenski
LUDLOW
Daniel D. Bator
Patricia Faulds
Irene M. Smith
Kevin R. Woods LONGMEADOW
Eugene G. Loncrini
Janice G. Orszulak
Diana J. Srebnick
SOUTH HADLEY
Mateem Ul Haq Malik
James Patrick Shea
Anne J. Szafranowicz SPRINGFIELD
Jeffrey J. Albert Cira “Gilda” Cardenuto
Dolores A. Costello
Gloria M. Fernandes
Nicolina Ferullo
Margaret M. “Peggy” Fitzgerald
Frank A. Gentile Jr.
Sheryl L. Karolinski
John S. Musiak
John Naberezny
Jean L. Provost
Jordan H. Rosenkrantz
Phyllis Ann Skorka
WILBRAHAM
Laurette Bishop
Anthony G. Laino
Marion V. Sears
ming through individualized financial coaching for underserved women.
“These partnerships reflect our belief that economic stability is built through coordinated, community-driven solutions,” Keely Krantz, founder and president of the O’Dell Women’s Center Foundation, said in a press release about the funding. “When women have access to basic needs, education, and career opportunities, entire families and communities are strengthened.”
While it was outside the planned funding cycle, the foundation found itself in a position to help when the federal government shutdown in October 2025 and Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program funding was withheld the following month. Families across the country found themselves without enough money to feed their families. With nowhere else to turn, people flooded into food pantries.
“The shelves were literally bare,” Tantillo recalled. The
Administration (NOAA)/Hawaii Department of Land & Natural Resources (DLNR), and was hired as a veterinarian for the Marine Mammal Center’s Ke Kai Ola Hawaiian Monk Seal hospital. Spaulding began practicing shelter medicine at Dakin Humane Society in 2010 as the adoption center veterinarian, and is particularly interested in infectious disease prevention and control, and antimicrobial resistance. She also has a special interest in alternative sterilization methods to traditional spay/neuter for the management of free-roaming cat populations.
According to Talbert, “Having Dr. Spaulding rejoin Dakin is truly a full circle moment. We are fortunate to welcome her back to the place where she launched her career. She returns with added experience and perspective gained from her impressive accomplishments both at Dakin and in Hawaii. Our staff, volunteers and colleagues respected and appreciated working with her before, and are celebrating her return as our medical director. Additionally, her expertise and interests are much aligned with Dakin’s strategic goals of helping people and animals in the community, and she is excited to see Dakin expand its ability to become a place of learning for animal welfare professionals. Dr. Spaulding has an unwavering commitment to making veterinary care accessible, and providing resources for people who need help in caring for their pets.”
As Dakin’s medical director,
field and beyond. “It all kind of wraps around in its own ecosystem,” Rivera said. “We need to have such a push for trucking and trades.”
foundation distributed $100,000 in emergency funds to several food pantries in the Springfield area, helping them restock. In the year ahead, Tantillo said, the O’Dell Women’s Center is planning to expand the use of its 10,000-square-foot building, allowing no-cost use for “like-minded” organizations and individuals whose work aligns with the center’s mission.
“It’s so special to me,” Tantillo said. “It’s another way that we deliver philanthropy.” She said the center is also piloting its “Bridging Navigator” program, a one-on-one peer mentorship for “women who are stuck where they’re at,” largely due to socio-economic reasons. She explained that the mentors, women who have experience with similar circumstances, will help people see and pursue a path forward. For more information about volunteering or receiving services through the O’Dell Women’s Center, visit odellwomenscenter.com.
Spaulding is responsible for delivering high-quality, effective medical care to adoption center animals including diagnosis, treatment, surgery, and follow-up, as well as overseeing the adoption center medical functions, and maintaining compliance with applicable laws and protocols. She is one of five veterinarians at Dakin; two serve the needs of the Community Spay/Neuter Clinic, and two others are part of the team at Dakin’s Pet Health Center.
Spaulding graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Wildlife Biology and Ecology from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and holds a dual DVM/MPH (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine/Masters in Public Health) degree from Iowa State University/University of Iowa.
Asiala Rivera, owner of CCR Freight Logistics. Reminder Publishing submitted photo Dr. Katie Spaulding.
Photo credit: Dakin Humane Society
A delectable breakfast style pizza comes to Indian Orchard
By Ryan Feyre rfeyre@thereminder.com
The diabolical blend of mushrooms on a pizza is about as common as snow this winter, but a breakfast style pizza is somehow rarer than witnessing a polar bear crossing the Massachusetts turnpike. Eggs, cheese and bacon on any kind of crust is a breakaway layup, a meatball down the middle, a 75-yard touchdown with nothing but green grass in front of you. But for whatever reason, the scrumptious concoction is typically nowhere to be found.
Truth be told, I kind of understand why. There are many factors restaurant owners must reckon with, including demand, price of ingredients and if the style of pizza even makes sense within their brand or hours of operation. Maybe everything does make sense for them to have the item on the menu, but they’d rather be 2012 Nick Young than 2018 Jayson Tatum dunking on LeBron in Game 7. I don’t know, maybe I’m just clueless and there is a plethora of locales that serve it. In any event, my lamenting recently ceased when one of my colleagues sent me a press release about a newly minted restaurant in Indian Orchard called “Taste of Traditions.” My interest in the establishment piqued when I was apprised of their win at the Latino Economic Development Corporation Cook-off competition, but my curiosity reached its apex when I saw that the new diner-style restaurant featured the coveted breakfast pizza on its menu. My head perked up like a dog that just heard its owner lock their car.
The item’s original makeup is scrambled eggs with melted provolone and mozzarella on naan bread, topped with arugula and tomatoes. But my eating habits are questionable, so I substituted the tomatoes with bacon. My short-term memory isn’t always sharp, but it was probably the best decision I made that day.
presentation, but not long after the program began, they settled down and “they were pretty silent for 45 minutes or so,” he said, adding that the teachers were surprised at their students were rapt by the presentation. He explained, “We’ve got it down to a little bit of a science. Grab these young people’s attention, talk about interesting topics. We’ve gotten many kids to laugh, to cry, to sit there, wide-eyed.” There is no hard data on the efficacy of the outreach programs.
The texture clash was what I wanted. The eggs’ fluffy perfection runs up against the tantalizing crisp of the bacon bits; the melted provolone and mozzarella counterbalances that texture dichotomy by offering a buttery sweetness to the dish’s base. And
Simmons said, “It’s hard to measure whether you prevented somebody from committing a crime.”
But he believes they are working. He said, high schoolers tell Gulluni that they still remember him coming to their school in fifth grade. People share the impact the programs have had on them. Young people return week after week for voluntary programs. “Some kids are showing up in our Future Lawyers of Springfield program,” Gulluni said. Young people are not the only age group Gulluni visits. Outreach programs on elder abuse and
although the naan bread could’ve maybe been a tad crispier, I found the flatbread to be the ideal canvas to buttress the flavors above it. Hunger abated, I had finally found the coveted breakfast style pizza I’ve been looking for.
As for the ambience, Taste of Traditions provides an extremely welcoming space, as evidenced by the bevy of plants and many
scams are popular at senior centers and nursing homes, and there is a presentation for mandated reporters. A Stop the Swerve event is scheduled for April 2 at the Basketball Hall of Fame. People will see video presentations, enter contests, experience sobriety testing and try goggles that simulate intoxication. Such events are aimed at what Simmons called, “prevention be
fore prosecution.”
No matter which program the district attorney’s office presents, Gulluni said, “We work to make sure we’re protecting the most vulnerable.”
puzzles available for customers to ostensibly solve. The spot, located at 174 Main St. in Indian Orchard, invokes a classic diner feel, but there’s an added tranquility and warmth to how everything is presented. When I have the time, I’ll have to bask in its glow a little more.
And when I do, I’ll also have to explore its menu. Aside from
the pizza, Taste of Traditions serves a breakfast sandwich, Cuban sandwich, a brisket biscuit, grilled cheese, kafta and much more. The restaurant is open 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the weekends. They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner all day and also cater for larger events.
Reminder Publishing photo by Ryan Feyre
Putnam’s Victory Henry blocks SciTech’s Jayden Vellon.
Sci-Tech’s Jayden Vellon was named MVP in his team’s win.
Sci-Tech’s Vashin McNeil looks to the referee for the call.
Sci-Tech’s Anthony Sanchez Jr. dribbles over midcourt.
Putnam’s Victory Henry finished the score at the rim.
Sci-Tech’s Isaiah Rodriguez beats the defenders to the basket.
Putnam’s Quinton McMillan Jr. was named MVP for his team.
Sci-Tech’s Alexander Osorio celebrates after draining a three.
