At the annual coronation ball on Feb. 7, the Springfield St. Patrick’s Parade Committee crowned Anna O’Toole, a Minnechaug Regional High School senior, the 2026 Springfield colleen.
Page 3
Food truck ordinance advances after first-step vote
Food truck businesses in Springfield could soon be getting more regulations after the City Council approved the first step of a food truck ordinance at its March 9 meeting.
Page 4
Students learn to ice skate with U.S. Olympic skater, Thunderbirds
Springfield Square One pre-school students were treated to an Olympic sized ice-skating lesson during a field trip to the Olympia Ice Center in West Springfield on March 12.
Page 5
DiZoglio continues legislative audit push
By Sarah Heinonen sheinonen@thereminder.com
SPRINGFIELD — The 2026
state election may not be until the fall, but candidates are already making the rounds across the commonwealth to introduce themselves and make their case to voters. Massachusetts Auditor Diana DiZoglio may be running unopposed, but that does not mean she is without opponents.
On a recent trip to Springfield, she sat down with Reminder Publishing to discuss the role of the auditor and the controversy she has become embroiled in.
DiZoglio said most residents in the state do not know what the state auditor does.
“I’m not the IRS,” she said, referring to the federal Internal Revenue Service. “I don’t audit individual people.” Instead, she said the auditor reviews the expenditures of the state government. She said that for the first time in decades, the auditor’s office completed audits of all departments in the executive branch, as required every three years by law.
While DiZoglio may have auditing the executive branch down to a science, efforts to audit the state Legislature have created controversy and litigation.
DiZoglio has plenty of experience with the Legislature. She served six years as a state representative beginning in 2013, after which she was elected to the state Senate until she was elected to the office of auditor in 2022.
DiZoglio said she decided to run for auditor to use what she had learned about state government to ensure Massachusetts operates with transparency and equity.
DiZoglio’s platform at that time included reinstating the ability to audit the Legislature. In
2024, DiZoglio delivered on that campaign promise when a ballot question she championed was passed by 72% of voters. She said she intends to review state contracts, settlements and receipts to see how the state is spending tax dollars, but the leadership in the Legislature, namely Senate President Karen Spilka and her counterpart in the state House of Representatives, Speaker Ronald Mariano, argue that it would violate the separation of powers as laid out in the state’s constitution.
DiZoglio said that argument is “complete baloney,” because it conflicts with history. She said auditing the Legislature was commonplace until the 1990s when House of Representatives Speaker Charles Flaherty blocked Auditor A. Joseph DeNucci from auditing him. DiZoglio pointed out that Flaherty later admitted to conflicts of interest and was convicted of felony tax evasion.
“If you are refusing an audit, what are you hiding?” DiZoglio asked.
DiZoglio has been pursuing litigation against the Legislature, Mariano and Spilka to force them to comply with an audit. Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell has objected to this, insisting that her office is the only entity authorized to enter into litigation on behalf of the state. Meanwhile, she has filed a motion to dismiss the suit on behalf of the Legislature.
“Gatekeeping justice is not leadership. It’s obstruction,” DiZoglio said. DiZoglio said the Legislature funds the attorney general’s office, creating a conflict of interest. She cited a 12% increase in the attorney general’s fiscal year 2026 budget as a “quid pro quo.”
DiZoglio sought approval from the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court to name attorney,
SPRINGFIELD
Shannon Liss-Riordan, who is willing to represent DiZoglio, as a special assistant attorney general for the purpose of the litigation.
On March 4, Judge Dalila Argaez Wendlandt denied DiZoglio’s
State Auditor Diana DiZoglio speaks at the 2025 MassDem State Convention held Sept. 13, 2025, at the Mass Mutual Center in Springfield. Republican file photo
See DIZOGLIO on page 2
STRM: Wildman and Christie discuss St. Patrick’s Day
By Ryan Feyre rfeyre@thereminder.com
HOLYOKE — Winter’s twilight is mercifully upon us, which means “green season” is about to reach its apex with the St. Patrick’s Day festivities.
On the latest episode of “So That Reminds Me,” Holyoke St. Patrick’s Committee President Jim Wildman and Holyoke Grand Colleen Jadyn Christie sat down with hosts Chris Maza and Tyler Garnet to discuss the 2026 St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, including the 49th annual 10K road race on March 21 and the 73rd St. Patrick’s Parade on March 22.
While most of the weekend will remain unaltered, there is one notable addition to this year’s festivities: a sensory-friendly viewing area from Elm Street through Maple Street on Appleton Street. According to Wildman, the twoblock section of the route will serve as a designated area for families, children and individuals who want a calmer environment.
The zone will take effect from Elm Street through Maple Street with no emergency lights or flashing lights and no sirens or amplified alarms. Bands during this portion will also play strings only.
Wildman said the idea for this section came from his time marching in the Tralee St. Patrick’s Day parade during a trip to Ireland last year. He shared that the band and music stopped, and they noticed some children with headphones on. When he returned from the trip, Wildman said he made sure to add a similar zone to the Holyoke parade this year. He shared that Magic for Maddie and the Miracle League of Western Massachusetts are sponsoring this initiative.
“I told the parade coordinator, and a few others, I said, ‘we have to do this,’ and they all agreed, we were all in agreement,” Wildman said. “We’re hoping that this is a huge success.”
The remainder of the week-
end will function similarly to past years. Both Wildman and Christie reflected on their excitement for the festivities, including the focus on celebrating surrounding communities.
“It’s very much a dedication for all our regionals; and again, without them, we don’t have much of a parade,” Wildman said. “So, that’s why we try to get out, we try to network with all of them.”
The yearly networking with other communities has yielded a sizable economic impact throughout the region. Wildman said a financial study done 15
years ago found that the parade weekend that year brought in $22 million from events, sales, restaurants, hotels and everything else that factors into the weekend.
This year, Wildman said the goal is to spearhead another financial study. He shared that it’s important to capture the weekend’s impact because the celebration touches people from not just the region, but around the globe.
“We’re broadcasting 22 [News], we have a million viewers, and we have another, I think, three or four hundred thousand that watch us online,” Wildman said. “Outside of that, as
far away as Australia, Poland, Hawaii … we have these people that are from Holyoke that have moved because they can’t make it home for the weekend, they’re still trying to get involved with that homecoming and enjoy the parade.”
The weekend’s camaraderie is felt right at home too, especially by Christie, who reflected on her time as colleen after years of enjoying the annual traditions with her family.
“It’s an incredible honor, getting to know a lot of the young girls who specifically gravitate towards me because of my
DiZoglio
Continued from page 1
request on the basis that she did not provide case law sufficient to support the request, something DiZoglio disputes. Liss-Riordan, who DiZoglio said is working pro bono on her case, lost a bid for state attorney general against Campbell in 2022.
While the litigation is in progress, DiZoglio said, “We have a plan B.” Her office has introduced a ballot question to expand public records requests to include Legislature and governor’s administration with certain exemptions. She said having documents, receipts and records available to the public improves the public’s faith in state government. She said municipalities are subject to public records requests under the law, as is her office. She said the Legislature should be, too.
The attorney general’s office is not the only place DiZoglio thinks Mariano and Spilka are exerting influence. While most of the state representatives in Western Massachusetts have been supportive, she said several legislators who had been in favor of the audit have either gone silent on the issue or have changed
crown,” Christie said. “I’ve done some visits and some tea parties with some of the local little girls, and it’s just amazing just to see how much they look up to you. You walk in and … their jaws drop, this is real.”
The 49th annual road race begins at 1 p.m. on March 21 and the 73rd annual parade starts at 11 a.m. on March 22.
Readers can listen to the full podcast episode by visiting thereminder.com/our-podcast or search “So That Reminds Me” on your favorite podcasting platform.
their position, specifically citing state Sen. Jake Oliviera as one of the latter.
DiZoglio said Senate and House leadership determine what committee positions legislators have, including who is named chair, which comes with a stipend of about $45,000 on top of the base $82,000 salary. Because of this, she said, leadership can “dictate whether the representatives and senators can pay rent or not.” For Oliviera’s part, he stated on Reminder Publishing’s “So That Reminds Me” podcast in a July 2025 episode that he believes DiZoglio is so committed to pursuing the audit to be in the public eye because she is “more interested in raising her personal profile than actually doing her job as auditor.”
In response to those who question her motivations, DiZoglio said, “Respectfully, folks are going to say what they want to say. Absolutely, I’m going to tell people what my priorities are,” while running for auditor. However, she insisted she is pursuing the ability to audit the Legislature because it is her obligation as an independent elected official. “We should not be hiding,” she said, and the people who are against the audit “prefer to do business behind closed doors at the State House.”
Experience the local news coverage you love in
St. Patrick’s Committee President Jim Wildman and Holyoke Grand Colleen Jadyn Christie sat down with hosts Chris Maza and Tyler Garnet on the latest episode of “So That Reminds Me.”
Reminder Publishing photo by Debbie Gardner
Anna O’Toole crowned 2026 Springfield colleen
By Peter Tuohy ptuohy@thereminder.com
WILBRAHAM
— At the annual coronation ball on Feb. 7, the Springfield St. Patrick’s Parade Committee crowned Anna O’Toole, a Minnechaug Regional High School senior, the 2026 Springfield colleen. O’Toole will represent Irish pride in the parade on March 22 in Holyoke.
“I am so proud to be this year’s 2026 colleen,” O’Toole said to Reminder Publishing. “I’m very excited to be able to represent the wonderful Springfield community that was so welcoming to my grandparents when they came over from Ireland in the ‘60s. It will be great to interact with the youth in Springfield as well, and to be able to inspire young girls to run for colleen when they are older. I want to share the love for my heritage and spark interest in the youth to do the same.”
Outside of being this year’s colleen, O’Toole said she loves to get involved with the community through the National Honor Society at Minnechaug. She also
loves going to the beach, playing with her dogs, spending time with family, reading the Bible and playing volleyball.
Growing up in an Irish family, she added that she was inspired to run for colleen from a young age, because her aunts Siobhan O’Toole and Kathleen O’Toole were crowned in 1993 and 1989.
“When I was little, my Mema would show us pictures of the both of them in their tiaras and sashes representing the Springfield community and it always sparked my interest,” O’Toole said. “What really pushed me to run for the title this year was because I wanted one grand chance to represent my grandparents before going off to college next year.”
She said that the process to becoming a colleen was nerve-wracking, but fun at the same time.
“It is really cool to be able to put yourself out there like that to gain the opportunity to represent something bigger than yourself, which is the community,” O’Toole said.
Becoming a colleen is a multi-
step process, O’Toole added. First, a preliminary contest featured eight competitors vying for five spots on the court through individual and onstage interviews. The court for 2026 will all ride in the parade alongside O’Toole and includes East Longmeadow’s Anna Flanagan and Sophia Dow; Longmeadow’s Siobhan MacDonnell; and Springfield’s Emma Westbrooks.
During the ball, where a colleen is crowned, there is a group interview with the judges to introduce the court, another individual interview and an onstage presentation with questions from the judges.
To younger girls who aspire to be crowned the colleen one day, O’Toole said she would tell them to be “unafraid of putting yourself out there when expressing the love for your heritage.”
“It is a special thing that we should be proud of and cherish, if it weren’t for our relatives we wouldn’t be here today,” O’Toole said. “I would also share how special it is to travel to the birthplace of your grandparents or your
relatives, if granted the chance. When I traveled to Ireland ,I was able to explore where my grandparents grew up and it made me
so much more
for
Springfield City Council debates public speak out pilot
By Dennis Hackett dhackett@thereminder.com
SPRINGFIELD — The public speak out sessions prior to Springfield’s City Council meetings could soon be part of the agenda for regular meetings if a pilot introduced at the council’s March 9 meeting moves forward.
This effort, spearheaded by Council President Tracye Whitfield, came about after some residents were concerned about councilors not being present during public comment, which takes place prior to City Council
meetings. At Large Councilor Justin Hurst presented the pilot program to the rest of the council in Whitfield’s place.
“I know there were a number of occasions where individuals have come before the City Council looking to speak to the entire body or the majority of the body and folks have not been present,” Hurst said. By including public comment in the meeting agenda, Hurst said the council would be able to move right into its agenda rather than waiting to start. The meetings are scheduled for 6:30 p.m., while the public speak out
is scheduled for 6 p.m.
Associate City Solicitor Thomas Moore said that the goal of the pilot is to increase participation from the public and the councilors, and to help meetings run more efficiently. By accepting the pilot program, Moore explained that Rule 3 of the City Council Rules and Orders would be put on a 90day moratorium while the pilot would take its place for that time. At the end of the 90-day period, the rules would go back in place and the council would
See SPEAK OUT on page 4
grateful
the amazing heritage they gave me. It also sparked my curiosity to learn more about Ireland as a whole.”
Anna O’Toole after being crowned at the coronation ball on Feb. 7. On her left is her grandmother Josie O’Toole and on her right is her grandfather Austin O’Toole.
At Large City Councilor Justin Hurst speaks about a pilot program that would incorporate the public speak out section of the council’s meeting as part of the meeting’s regular agenda.
Photo credit: Focus Springfield
Operations Director: Curtis Panlilio
Executive Editor: Chris Maza
Managing Editors: Dennis Hackett, Ryan Feyre
Staff Writers: Sarah Heinonen, Deb Gardner, Amy Porter, Trent Levakis, Cliff Clark, Tyler Garnet, Peter Tuohy
Graphic Design Manager: Beth Thurber
Graphic Design Department: Leigh Catchepaugh, Lorie Perry, Sophia McClellan, Susan Bartlett, Jim Johnson-Corwin, Molly Arnio
Sales Manager: Scott Greene
Account Executives: Matt Mahaney, Paula Dimauro, Lisa Nolan, Jeanette Grenier, Paul Poutre, Andy Shaw, Laura Tassistro
Classified Account Managers: Roxanne Miller-Longtin, Evan Marcyoniak, Shannon Spada
Sales Support: Carolyn Napolitan
Financial Department: Nancy Banning
Food truck ordinance advances after first-step vote
By Dennis Hackett dhackett@thereminder.com
SPRINGFIELD — Food truck businesses in Springfield could soon be getting more regulations after the City Council approved the first step of a food truck ordinance at its March 9 meeting.
DPW Director Christopher Cignoli initially brought the ordinance before the council during a November meeting with initial stipulations around a permitting fee, a required 500-foot buffer from a permanent food establishment and hours of operation.
At the March 9 meeting, Cignoli recommended that the price of the permit be $350 for a six-month period with a $150 renewal fee, the buffer from residential property would be 500 feet and that the hours of operation should be expanded.
Ward 5 Councilor Lavar Click-Bruce, who chairs the Maintenance and Development Committee, explained that passing the ordinance was important and there needed to be clear guidelines in place for operating food trucks.
“We must ensure we are protecting the quality of life in our neighborhoods, this includes considerations such as hours of operation … I would also like us to look at restroom access, generator noise, buffer zones, parking and the process for obtaining special permits for mobile food truck operators,” he said.
Click-Bruce added that he would like the council to have a say in the approval of the special permits.
One sticking point for many of the councilors was the fee associated with the special permit.
Ward 1 Councilor Maria Perez said that one issue food truck owners presented to the committee about the fee was the difference between operating a food truck and a restaurant.
“The presentation that they presented was very valid, because they are seasonal businesses and the type of food that they serve — this came from the committee — is not as great as the restaurants,” she said.
Speak Out
then be able to debate about moving forward with the pilot.
Moore explained that while councilors are able to engage
At Large Councilor Jose Delgado said in addition to creating guidelines for food trucks, the council should work to make it beneficial to the city in addition to being a revenue generator for the truck owners.
“Food trucks are not new; they’ve been around for a while. You go to Los Angeles, you go to any major city, they’ve got food truck parks, you go to Puerto Rico, they find different ways to really make a thing out of it and I think we really need to think together with the city about what we can do with that,” he said.
Ward 4 Councilor Victor Davila said that one of his concerns was parking and wanted to make sure that parking plans needed to be submitted for a special permit. Cignoli explained that in addition to the plans, there were conditions that need to be met.
“It was kind of two-fold, number 1 does the food truck business have enough parking for it, we want to make sure it does. And also, at the same time, if there is a primary business operating there that that is not negatively impacted as well,” Cignoli said.
Davila added that one of his biggest concerns was the 500foot buffer zone and said he wanted that to be resolved in committee before it passed the first step.
“We might be shooting our-
in a back-and-forth with public speakers as the rules stand, if the pilot were adopted, councilors would not be able to respond to comments, as is the case in many of the surrounding communities, per the Open Meeting Law. He added that the pilot is in the spirit of what the council does for pub-
selves in the foot if we start restricting 500 feet. It’s going to take a lot of spaces away that are going to be available. I’m afraid that we are going to be in return shrinking the possibility of spaces for these places to operate,” he said.
While he was in favor of sending the ordinance back to committee, Click-Bruce said he wanted input from the rest of the council after he circulated an email to the council for feedback that he said received no responses.
“I’m begging everyone to give input; it doesn’t make sense for us to keep having meetings to keep having meetings. Give input so Chris can actually put in what we want so that way he can present to us where we’re coming at from a body and we can move forward with this,” he said.
Cignoli said that the intent was to have the ordinance ready by May 1 to make sure food truck owners are aware there is a new process. He noted that getting the information to the food truck owners could take until the end of the year.
“The intent was to have it in place for the spring so that food vendors, even though we had a great turnout from the food vendors, we do know that a lot of them probably will not know
lic speak out.
“It will be something the council really should be aware of and cognizant of as we’re doing the program is to really embrace the role of just listening and taking information,” he said. “It really takes a lot of the current rule and moves it into the regular meeting agenda, and then it reinforces the idea that councilors themselves should be passive participants in the public speak out session.”
Ward 8 Councilor Zaida Govan said she supported trying the pilot because there are times councilors are not at the public speak out before the meeting.
“What I’ve noticed in the last few years that I’ve been on the council is that people come to public speak out and nobody’s
Every week we will provide you with a complete listings of deaths from the preceding week from throughout Greater Springfield. We are doing this as a convenience to our readers in case you miss an obit in the daily paper. We hope you find this useful and that you will refer to it weekly.
CHICOPEE
Sharlene M. Benson
Bruce N. Centerbar
Maria Beatriz DosSantos
Jean-Louis G. Gagne
Marion J. Grenier
Rosanna Potorski Parks
William R. Parenteau
Pauline M. Pouliot
Christopher P. Scala
EAST LONGMEADOW
Jane Sonack Bedard
Annette R. Levesque
Leonard Napier Palmer Jr.
Josephine A. Raimer
Sigmund A. “Siggy” Saracino
Michael J. Del Viscio
HAMPDEN
Chrysanthi “Hrisa” Papoutsakis
HOLYOKE
James H. Fleming
Mary Ann Labreche
Shirley A. LeTellier
Genowefa Nawolski (Siwik)
LONGMEADOW
Thelma A. Gardner
Barbara S. Thomas
LUDLOW
Sandra Lee Kulig
Dorothy “Dottie” Szlichta
SOUTH HADLEY
Margaret Dumbaugh
Leo M. Roberts
Barbara L. Roy
SPRINGFIELD
Stephen J. Collins Jr.
Vincent A. Falcone
Jacqueline B. Ferioli
Dorothy Louise “Dotti” Hershman
Most Reverend Timothy A. McDonnell
Elsie Paschal Nespor
Michael W. Rodd
Marion T. Tatro
WILBRAHAM
Lawrence P. Cloutier
Mary M. Parker
Martha-Jane C. Toelken
that there is a new regulation that will be in place. We rather would spend the time in the winter and spring getting that information to them,” he said.
At Large Councilor Justin Hurst said the ordinance could always be revised in the future.
“An ordinance of this nature that is as complex as this one is, it’s probably impossible to get it perfect, but what I will say is that we can always come back to the table after we see it rolled out and make any necessary amendments,” he said.
Ward 8 Councilor Zaida Govan said she was concerned about an additional fee for the business owners.
“I’ve had a few food truck owners talk about how expensive it is to gettheir trucks on the road because they have to pay Fire, Police, the Health Department, a few fees associated with that and then to add another fee on top of it might be a bit of a burden,” she said.
While a motion to send the ordinance back to committee was denied, the council voted to approve the first step of the ordinance. That approval advances it to the Maintenance and Development Committee for further review before it returns to the full council for a second and final vote.
listening to them because nobody’s here,” she said. “Having it during the meeting would be a good idea. The main reason I would like for it to pass is because this is what the constituents have asked for.”
Ward 1 Councilor Maria Perez suggested sending the pilot to the General Government Committee for further discussion before voting on it. At Large Councilor Kateri Walsh agreed and said she had concerns about the pilot as it was written.
“I am particularly concerned about any suggestions or indications that we would limit anybody’s right to speak and I think that’s in there,” she said. She also said she was concerned that people would miss their opportunity to speak if the time of public speak changed by becoming part of the regular meeting. In response, Moore explained that the public speak out would take place prior to the voting items on the agenda and estimated that it would be around 6:40 p.m. for most meetings. Hurst also suggested that the regular council meeting could begin at 6 p.m. with the change. Ultimately, the council voted to send the pilot back to the council’s General Government Committee for further review.
Ward 5 City Councilor Lavar Click-Bruce discusses a potential food truck ordinance during the March 9 City Council Meeting.
Photo credit: Focus Springfield
Students learn to skate with Olympic skater, Thunderbirds
By Peter Tuohy ptuohy@thereminder.com
WEST SPRINGFIELD —
Springfield Square One preschool students were treated to an Olympic sized ice-skating lesson during a field trip to the Olympia Ice Center in West Springfield on March 12.
The students hit the ice alongside U.S. Olympic figure skater Tiffany Scott Pryor, who competed in the 2002 Winter Olympics, members of the Springfield Thunderbirds organization with their mascot, Boomer, the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department and staff from the American Hockey League.
In addition to skating in the Winter Olympics, Pryor won the 2003 USA Championship, skated four times at the World Championship and even served as Amy Poehler’s stunt double in the 2007 film, “Blades of Glory.”
She said that it’s really exciting to have as many kids as possible learn about ice-skating and that this is a “fun zone where they can be themselves and try it out.”
“I think that living in New England, it’s very important that we have some kind of activity in the wintertime,” Pryor said. “Maybe the kids will go home and ask their parents if they can do ice-skating and, you know, any activity is good activity.”
Square One is a private, nonprofit organization that provides early learning services to over 500 infants, toddlers and school-age children each day and supports 1,500 families a year to overcome challenges in their lives.
Square One Vice President of Development and Communication Kristine Allard said the field trip is a beautiful collaboration with all the organizations involved, all in the name of introducing the kids to the sport of skating.
“Our pre-schoolers are ages 3-5,” Allard said. “This is the perfect opportunity for them to try something new and see what they like, to see what they’re naturally skilled at, to see where their interests are. It’s a great opportunity for some of these kids.”
Allard said that the organization is really grateful for the friends in the community who step up to make it a magical ex-
perience. She said it gets bigger and better every year.
Olympia Ice donates the time for the students every year, the skates are on loan from the city of Springfield and West Springfield’s Bob “The Bike Man” Charland donates helmets every year, with 75 for this field trip.
“It’s great to see the kids out on the ice,” Charland said. “It’s also nice to see them working with other deputies from the [Hampden County] Sheriff’s Department, showing the positive side of law enforcement with kids.”
Western Massachusetts Regional Women’s Correctional Center Assistant Superintendent Colleen Stocks said the Sheriff’s Department and Square One have had a nice, long-standing relationship, and that she loves to see all the staff come and interact with the students.
“They feel like little kids again and the kids have so much fun,” Stocks said. “There’s something about being in the room with people who are all so invested and take their time and their care, they love what they do. We can’t get enough of this, it just fills you up.”
She added that whether the students skate or don’t speak as much, they’re putting themselves out there by trying and doing something different, and hopefully they learn how to take a chance and be fearless.
Thunderbirds President Nathan Costa said it’s a great event that gives kids the chance to get
STCC to host eighth annual Community Dental Day offering free dental care
SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield Technical Community College Dental Sciences Department, in partnership with the Valley District Dental Society, will host the eighth annual Community Dental Day on Saturday, March 28, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., in Building 20 at STCC.
This free event provides an opportunity for area residents who may not be receiving regular dental care to obtain necessary treatment at no cost.
Licensed dentists from the Valley District Dental Society, along with STCC dental hygiene and assisting students, will provide a range of services, including patient education, health screenings, diagnosis, X-rays and limited treatments such as fillings, extractions, sealants and assessments of urgent issues. While cleanings will not be provided during the event, patients needing one may schedule a lowcost follow-up visit at STCC’s dental clinic.
“Community Dental Day plays an important role in helping meet the needs of our community while giving our students meaningful, real-world clinical experience,” said Christopher Scott, dean of the School of Health and Patient Simulation at STCC. “We invite community members who need dental care to make use of this no-cost service. Through our collaboration with local dental professionals, we’re able to provide high-quality care while also equipping our students with the
skills they need to succeed in their future careers.”
STCC offers pathways to dental careers through two programs. Students can seek a two-year associate degree in Dental Hygiene or a one-year certificate in Dental Assisting.
Dr. Michael Nardi, an event organizer with the Valley District Dental Society volunteer dentists, highlighted the impact of Community Dental Day.
“Too often, people delay getting dental treatment because it can be expensive or difficult to access,” Nardi said. “This event allows us to offer timely care to individuals who need it most, while also helping them understand how to maintain their oral health in the long run. I’m proud to take part in an initiative that has such a positive impact on our community.”
Valley District Dental Society is a supporter of STCC through generous financial support for scholarships and dental kits. The event is open to the public, and no insurance is required. Patients can also return to STCC’s dental clinic for affordable follow-up care if needed.
Community Dental Day is open to the public on a first-comefirst-served basis. Please call 413755-4900 if you have questions.
out there and skate when they might not have the opportunity otherwise.
“It’s not just the Thunderbirds here, it’s a collaboration of other local organizations,” Costa said. “It’s just so cool to come down, take part and see the kids have some fun.”
From left: U.S. Olympic skater Tiffany Scott Pryor and her daughter, Savannah, members from the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department, the Springfield Thunderbirds and Square One. Thunderbirds mascot, Boomer, skates alongside a Square One pre-school student.
Reminder Publishing photos by Peter Tuohy
WESTERN NEW ENGLAND UNIVERSITY VS JOHNSON & WALES
HOCKEY
The Western New England University women’s hockey team defeated Johnson & Wales University 4-1 in the CNE semifinals on Feb. 28 at the Olympia Ice Center in West Springfield.
REMINDER SPORTS PHOTOS TAKEN BY DAVID HOSMER
Ziya Damas reaches to block the passing lane.
Mabel Gerard eyes the goal on the breakaway.
Kaylin O'Connor passes the puck down the wall.
Michaela Birmingham makes the pass from the blue line.
Zoe Galanoudis celebrates her goal in the first period to tie the game.
Lilly Ainley gets ready for the puck drop.
Katie Collins gets past the defense to get the shot off.
Rachael Irving bats the shot away in traffic.
Valerie DuVal plays defense in front of the goal.
Zoe Galanoudis takes her shot from the sidewall and scores.
Leah Dube sprints through center ice.
By Tyler Garnet tgarnet@thereminder.com
CHICOPEE — For one night only, Jess Miller is bringing the nationally touring hit comedy showcase “Funny Women of a Certain Age” to Western Massachusetts on Saturday, March 21, at the Portuguese Club, 149 Exchange St. Dominic Monti, an intern with JMC Entertainment — the company associated with this show — talked about the upcoming event.
“Instead of raising money for a charitable cause, this show is all about bringing the community together for a full evening event. Great energy, catered dinner buffet, and three top comics to help you relax and make you laugh,” Monti stated.
Guests can get ready for an exclusive night of unforgettable laughter, great food and powerhouse talent, according to the press release.
The evening includes a buffet style dinner service followed by a high-energy evening of stand-up featuring Carole Montgomery, Vicky Kuperman and Missy Hall.
“This is more than a comedy show, it’s a full evening out,” Miller said. “Great food, great company and nationally recognized talent all in one room. Western Mass. is in for a very special night.”
Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. and dinner will be served at 5:45 p.m. The show begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $69.
By Dennis Hackett dhackett@thereminder.com
I might be a big scaredy cat when it comes to horror, but one series I cannot get enough of is Capcom’s “Resident Evil” survival horror saga.
Although some animated and live action films have had terrible reception over the years, “Resident Evil” is largely known for its survival horror and horror action games, starting with the origi-
Montgomery, Vicky Kuperman and Missy Hall are all scheduled to perform
The comedy show series, created and produced by Montgomery, an acclaimed comedian, celebrates the fearless humor of women who have lived enough life to tell it like it is, according to organizers.
The show has appeared on Showtime three times, premiering as the network’s highest-rated comedy special of the year. Now, audiences in Western Massachusetts will experience the energy live and up close.
The night will feature dinner and comedy, and, as the press release says, “[is] built
nal in 1996. The series revolves around different protagonists dealing with the fallout from the research of the Umbrella Corporation, a pharmaceutical company secretly creating bio-organic weapons in the hopes of taking over the world by selling their viruses to the highest bidders. These viruses turn people into zombies or even more horrific creatures, which eventually led to the destruction of Raccoon City, a town in the U.S. specifically built
for women who aren’t interested in being background characters anymore.”
Monti explained, “We’re very excited to bring ‘Funny Women of a Certain Age’ to Chicopee. The group was formed by Carole Montgomery because, as women age, they are booked less and less as comedians. This group tells the hilarious story of what life is like as you get older, and have a truly remarkable sense of relatable humor. Whether it’s your first comedy show or one of many, their performance is more than just standing up on the stage
for Umbrella to do its research, at the end of “Resident Evil 3.” Despite the company eventually going under as result of its crimes, other organizations and Umbrella’s remnants pick up their pieces in future installments.
My first introduction to “Resident Evil” was with “Resident Evil 4,” which came out in 2005. Several years after its release, I got my first taste of it when a neighbor brought the game over for us to try, and I was immediately enamored by the game’s protagonist, Leon S. Kennedy, known for his cheesy one liners, combat prowess and being an extremely cool character beloved by many. While I did not ever finish that game, Leon stuck with me from that point on as one of my favorite characters in the medium.
Years later, when Capcom started giving the series modern remakes, starting with 2019’s “Resident Evil 2 Remake,” which also stars Leon, I finally began to sink my teeth into the series and finished that and 2023’s “Resident Evil 4 Remake,” cementing them as two of my favorite games of all time.
When I learned that the latest installment, “Resident Evil Requiem” would be blending the series’ survival horror roots with the action from 4, 5 and 6, along with bringing Leon back as one of the game’s two protagonists, I was sold immediately.
“Requiem” also stars Grace Ashcroft, an FBI agent tasked with looking into the mysterious deaths of survivors from Raccoon City who have become infected
and making you laugh – it’s a full evening out with comics who tell it as it is.”
The dinner menu, included with all tickets, features slow braised corned beef with mustard cream sauce or pasta primavera with eggplant parmesan, butter braised cabbage with fresh herbs, roasted baby potatoes with Irish butter, glazed carrots, fresh bread and salad.
“It’s also the perfect opportunity to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day,” Monti said about the dinner buffet. “It’s just what we need in a world that is full of
with the T-virus, the virus from the original game, that has been lying dormant in the survivors’ bodies for close to 30 years. In the game’s opening minutes, Grace is abducted by Victor Gideon, a former Umbrella researcher, and whisked away to the Rhodes Hill Care Center, a house of horrors under the guise of an experimental treatment facility. Leon, a survivor of Raccoon City, is also in search of a cure for the T-virus, which leads to him tracking down Gideon. Eventually, his search leads him back to where it all began, the bombedout husk of Raccoon City.
Players get the best of both worlds in terms of the gameplay that “Resident Evil” has come to offer over the years. Grace, in her first real field action, gives players the traditional survival horror mechanics from the series’ roots, focusing on puzzle solving, limited resources and plenty of scares as she is chased through the care center by both traditional zombies and even more terrifying creatures. On the other hand, Leon has been doing this for 30 years, so he’s at the top of his game, blowing through hordes of zombies with a full arsenal of weapons, taking notes from entries like 4.
Capcom nailed the blend of gameplay styles, with both shining and taking up about half of the game’s 12-hour runtime. I loved the game’s brisk pace, which feels like a breath of fresh air compared to other, bloated AAA video games that can take dozens of hours to finish. One of the greatest decisions they made was offering players the choice
noise and chaos.”
With limited seating and national buzz behind the show, early purchase is strongly encouraged, according to organizers. Tickets and additional information are available at jessmillercomedy.com.
“We’re trying to bring really great comedy to Western Massachusetts, instead of just having big shows in Boston or New York City,” Monti said. “This is the type of national comedy you would see, but this time, in a local community.”
to play in a first-person perspective like in 7 and 8, or playing in a third-person perspective like the modern remakes.
“Requiem” has a very high replay value with plenty of things for players to collect and discover, as well as the ability to carry over certain things from previous playthroughs, including weapons and the knowledge of the game’s puzzles to make those later playthroughs smoother.
“Requiem” follows a similar narrative formula to prior “Resident Evil” games, starting as grounded as you can for a zombie game before exploding into an off the wall experience full of action and crazy set pieces. The game also serves as a capper for the saga with Umbrella, sprinkling the seeds for a new, bigger threat in future entries. It is also chock full of references and nods to the prior games, serving as a great farewell to the series’ history while leaving room for familiar characters to return.
“Resident Evil Requiem” is an excellent blend of the series roots in survival horror and its later action-oriented entries, while also finding a balance between treading familiar ground with fan-favorite characters and forging new paths with new characters. “Requiem” serves as a great entry point for new players while also giving longtime players one of the series’ best entries.
“Resident Evil Requiem” is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2 and PC.
Carole
Colon, 88 Prospect St.
Daniel J. Leclair to Ryan F. Neal and Kayla M. O’Donnell, 134 Lukasik St.
Donna Marie Weber to Veteran Stan LLC, 79 Kaveney St.
Edward J. Brewer and Roseanne P. Brewer to Kyle Gemme and Kari Scytkowski,
Gonzalez to Cynthia Gonzalez and Rogelio Rosario, 16 Edmund
T. Judd and Julie Judd to James V. Arone and Paige E.
