Cancer Connection to offer services at Springfield location
An organization that has cared for cancer patients in Northampton for more than 25 years is looking to provide the same care to patients in the Springfield area. Cancer Connection is opening a second location in Bicentennial Plaza.
Page 2
Activist Lachenmeyer to challenge Puppolo in Democratic primary This fall, voters will have a choice of who will represent them in the state House of Representitives’ 12th Hampden District.
Page 3
Hurst questions election commissioner about votes cast City councilors had questions for Election Commissioner Gladys Oyola-Lopez and Deputy Commissioner Chelsea Parmentier about what appeared to be a discrepancy in the number of votes cast in the 2025 municipal election.
Page 4
Hoop Up Springfield allows teens to imagine futures
By Sarah Heinonen sheinonen@thereminder.com
SPRINGFIELD — Hundreds of middle and high schoolers ran drills, practiced dribbling and shot baskets at the 10th Hoop Up Springfield, but the most important activities happened off the court. Participants had the opportunity to visit a job fair, listen to a guest speaker talk about entrepreneurship and tour the campus of American International College, where the event took place.
Hoop Up Springfield is a program hosted by the Hampden District Attorney’s Office.
“There’s a lot of different ways to achieve public safety,” said District Attorney Anthony Gulluni. While the DA’s office’s primary role is prosecuting crimes, he said that engaging positively with young people also plays a role in protecting the public.
Gulluni said the allure of a three-on-three basketball tournament and cheerleader clinic draws in students, but the event then provides them with a chance to explore opportunities for summer jobs or college enrollment. “A lot of these young people would be first-generation college students,” he said. He also remarked, “Work is a really important thing for us. Instead of idle hands, people are working, making some money.”
Students who attended the job fair learned information about summer jobs working for businesses and organizations, including Big Y, the Boys & Girls Club, Pho Saigon, the Valley Opportunity Council and Springfield Parks, Building and Recreation Management. There were also representatives from the Massachusetts State Police, Springfield Police Department and the U.S. Army.
Denise Vozella, public rela-
tions and community manager at AIC, said the college is glad to partner with the district attorney’s office for Hoop Up Springfield. “I kind of think of AIC as ‘The Lit-
tle Engine That Could,’” she said, referring to the popular children’s book. “We’re small but mighty.” Events like Hoop Up Springfield bring local students — the same
population the college serves — to the campus, she said. Several members of the col-
SPRINGFIELD
Top row, participants line up to shoot baskets at Hoop Up Springfield on April 20. Bottom row, from left: A student tosses a basketball during a drill at the 10th Hoop Up Springfield. Two students learn about summer job opportunities at American International College during the Hoop Up Springfield job fair.
Reminder Publishing photos by Sarah Heinonen
Cancer Connection to offer services at Springfield location
By Sarah Heinonen sheinonen@thereminder.com
SPRINGFIELD — An organization that has cared for cancer patients in Northampton for more than 25 years is looking to provide the same care to patients in the Springfield area. Cancer Connection is opening a second location in Bicentennial Plaza.
Executive Director Chelsea Kline described Cancer Connection as a “warm haven” for cancer patients and their families. She first became familiar with Cancer Connection years ago when her mother was diagnosed with cancer, and Kline was her primary care giver. Her mother — now cancer free — still volunteers with the organization.
Cancer Connection offers integrative therapies including massage, reiki, acupuncture and reflexology. According to Cancer Connection website, these therapies can help relieve stress and the side effects of some cancer treatments. The organization also offers support groups, workshops and weekly programs, such as knitting, cooking, rest to heal, qigong, yoga, creative writing and mindfulness. All Cancer Connection services are free of charge.
One of Cancer Connections’s services is the befriender, a person dedicated to speaking with and listening, either in-person or over the phone, to the patient or their caregiver. “Our oneon-one emotional support is a safe place to scream, cry and anything in between,” Kline said. In addition to listening, befrienders can help people determine which of Cancer Connection’s other services might benefit them or refer the person to another organization for specialty services.
When asked why now was the time to open a second location, Kline said, “We long had a dream of being able to help more people.” With cancer diagnoses continuing to rise, she said, “The need for our services is greater than ever.” Springfield was chosen because it is relatively close to the organization’s existing location, and Kline said the organization was seeking somewhere that was more racially diverse.
Because the organization’s Northampton model of a site for services and a thrift shop to help fund services has been successful, she said the same model was used for the Springfield location.
Integrative Health Group is
located at 1502 Allen St. Kline said Cancer Connection will co-locate there, as their services are aligned. A few doors over, at 1510 Allen St., will be the thrift shop.
Kline said Cancer Connection is hiring more staff for the
Springfield location, including a bilingual befriender to serve the Spanish-speaking population. They are also seeking volunteers to operate the thrift shop.
While the ribbon cutting for the new location took place on Saturday, April 25, Kline said
she expects Cancer Connection to be fully open and offering all services by late May. The thrift shop will accept donations in early May. To learn more about Cancer Connection, visit cancer-connection.org.
Mass Fair Housing welcomes new head, keeps fighting discrimination
By Sarah Heinonen sheinonen@thereminder.com
HOLYOKE — April is Fair Housing Month, commemorating President Lyndon B. Johnson signing the Fair Housing Act on April 11, 1968. But while the law is nearly 60 years old, organizations are still fighting for fair housing every day. One of those organizations is Holyoke-based Mass Fair Housing, which recently welcomed Executive Director Vineeth Hemavathi.
Despite logging just two weeks on the job so far, Hemavathi is no stranger to Mass Fair Housing. The lawyer, with a background in housing and domestic violence, spent the past year working with Harvard Law School’s Housing Justice for Survivors Project. Prior to that, however, he was a staff attorney at Mass Fair Housing.
Speaking of returning to the organization as its leader, Hemavathi said, “When this opened, I had to go for this role that was different in this organization that I love.”
Mass Fair Housing is one of four fair housing organizations in Massachusetts and the oldest. It serves people from Worcester County to the Berkshires. Last year, the organization helped more than 500 people, more than half of whom live in Hampden County — mostly in Springfield, Holyoke and Chicopee. Hema-
Hoop Up
Continued from page 1
vathi said that is largely because there are larger populations in those cities and more rental units.
Aside from direct legal services, Mass Fair Housing tests for housing discrimination. “It’s kind of like Secret Shopper,” Hemavathi said. He explained that a housing ad may include discriminatory language, or someone may come to them believing they have been discriminated against.
A member of the organization will approach the landlord posing as a potential tenant to determine if there is discrimination taking place.
Mass Fair Housing also offers educational know-your-rights events. Hemavathi said many people do not know they have been discriminated against because they do not know the law. While many people think of discrimination as being race-based — 86% of Black people face housing discrimination — one of the most common discriminations Mass Fair Housing sees is against people with disabilities, including veterans and the elderly.
“Landlords cannot deny reasonable accommodations unless it is a financial or administrative burden,” Hemavathi said. Such accommodations may include a ramp, an accessible parking space or grab bars for the shower. “Because we get people the modifications they need, it helps people age in place,” Hemavathi
lege’s Student Athletic Advisory Council led tours of the campus for the teen participants. One of the council members, Ryan Levis, said the tours gave him a chance to show various aspects of AIC to potential students. “I think there’s assumptions about AIC. It’s nice to take them on a tour and see their eyes light up.”
said. He added that it also relieves pressure on overwhelmed state and local shelters.
Another common target of discrimination is families with children under 6 years of age. In Massachusetts, owners of property built before 1978 are required to comply with lead laws if children under 6 reside in the unit. That includes testing and deleading, if needed. Hemavathi said many landlords do not want to cover the cost of deleading, so they will deny the rental or not respond to a prospective tenant.
“We see families with children under 6 that have been looking for two years, and they keep getting denied, but don’t know why,” Hemavathi said. “Sometimes folks have a sense that something is wrong, but don’t know what it is.”
Occasionally, landlords will not rent to people with children, which is also illegal. They might say they are “too noisy” or that features in the unit would be “unsafe,” rather than leaving that determination to the parent.
Another widespread type of housing discrimination that Mass Fair Housing is working to combat occurs against people who have a housing voucher, be it because they are low-income, seniors or individuals with disabilities. He said it can take years for someone to receive a voucher through the federal Housing
AIC President Nicole Cestero said in a press release that the college is proud to continue its partnership with the Hampden District Attorney’s Office. “We are honored to partner with DA Gulluni’s office to provide a safe, welcoming space where youth can enjoy the tournament, explore summer job opportunities, and begin to imagine themselves as students at a college like AIC. It’s also rewarding for our student athletes who appreciate the chance to contribute to this impactful community event.”
Choice Voucher Program, which pays a percentage of the tenant’s housing costs. Hemavathi said that, due to stereotypes about people who have vouchers, landlords may deny renting them.
“At Mass Fair Housing, we believe everybody deserves housing,” Hemavathi said. He said stable housing makes it easier to secure and retain a job, keep their children in one school district, and make plans for their future.
As a nonprofit, Mass Fair Housing is working to stabilize
SO THAT REMINDS ME
its funding, Hemavathi said. One amendment to the proposed state budget would support the commonwealth’s fair housing organizations, while another would support Mass Fair Housing, in particular. While the organization and others like it have long relied on federal funding for a portion of their operating costs, those funds are now in question, Hemavathi said.
To learn more about Mass Fair Housing, visit massfairhousing.org.
On the latest episode of “So That Reminds Me” regular host Tyler Garnet was put into the guest chair as hosts Dennis Hackett and Ryan Feyre talked with him about the budget issues in South Hadley and the challenges covering a difficult budget season as voters shot down two potential overrides. Dennis and Ryan also give updates on some stories around the area and a quick sports minute with the NHL and NBA playoffs in full swing and baseball season getting underway. Head to thereminder.com/ourpodcast or search “So That Reminds Me” on your favorite podcasting platform to listen.
Cancer Connection Executive Director Chelsea Kline walks through the Integrative Health Group offices that offer services to cancer patients as well as carers.
Republican photo by Douglas Hook
Vineeth Hemavathi, the new executive director of Mass Fair Housing. Reminder Publishing file photo
Activist Lachenmeyer to challenge Puppolo in Democratic primary
By Sarah Heinonen sheinonen@thereminder.com
SPRINGFIELD — This fall, voters will have a choice of who will represent them in the state House of Representitives’ 12th Hampden District. While Angelo Puppolo has held the seat, which represents Wilbraham and parts of East Longmeadow, Monson and Springfield, since 2007, he is facing a challenge in the Sept. 1 Democratic primary from Springfield resident Michael Lachenmeyer.
“My journey into politics was a long one,” Lachenmeyer said. When reflecting on his reasons for entering politics, he said that his grandparents grew up during the Great Depression of the 1930s. Through policies such as the New Deal and the GI Bill, they were able to build their way into the middle class. “Our government has gotten away from that kind of policy of upward mobility,” he said.
Lachenmeyer became involved in activism while in college at Loyola University Chicago. He founded a chapter of the Indivisible Movement, a grassroots organizing group, and worked with the Sunrise Movement, a climate justice organization. He returned to Western Massachusetts after completing a master’s degree at the University of Chicago.
A background in activism has given Lachenmeyer a particular perspective on the relationship between organizers and politi-
cians. He said, “There are definitely things activists can accomplish more than politicians but there are ways politicians can accomplish more. Ideally, I think the two work together. It’s the job of activists to put pressure on legislators but legislators can put pressure on their colleagues.”
When Donald Trump was reelected as president in 2024, Lachenmeyer decided to become more politically involved. In March 2025, Lachenmeyer joined Mass-Care — Massachusetts Campaign for Single Payer Health Care — on a visit to Beacon Hill to lobby Puppolo on behalf of the organization’s cause. Lachenmeyer said Puppolo shared with them that he supported the idea but was unwilling to do so publicly. Lachenmeyer was deeply disappointed in his representative.
Lachenmeyer learned more about Puppolo’s record in the House and found information that further bothered him. He said Puppolo receives an annual $20,000 stipend to chair the House Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs, but that the committee has had no meetings or bills before it. According to malegislature.gov, however, the committee has met every two months since the beginning of the legislative cycle and is scheduled to meet again on May 29. There are no bills currently before the committee.
The candidate questions some of the decisions Puppolo had made during his tenure in the
House. In 2016, Puppolo was one of 12 Democrats who voted against a bill to allow transgender people to use the bathroom that aligns with their gender identity. Lachenmeyer also took issue with a statement Puppolo made to Reminder Publishing in January 2025, when he described the “migrant issue” is “the elephant in the room.”
Platform
Lachenmeyer’s platform is ambitious. He said, “I’m big on affordability and anti-corruption.”
Currently, most Massachusetts residents pay a flat state income tax of 5%. Lachenmeyer is in favor of adopting tax brackets that are tied to income, similar to the model used by the federal government. “A graduated income tax would raise a lot of money from people in the eastern part of the state and benefit people in Western Massachusetts,” he said. The communities surrounding Interstate 495 in eastern Massachusetts tend to have higher per capita incomes than those in Western Massachusetts.
Meanwhile, he said, a single-payer health care system would “raise all boats.” Between 2010 and 2019, 19 states had single-payer health care bills going through their legislatures. The results have been a mixed bag. Vermont passed universal health care in 2011, but the state shelved the program in 2014 because of financing issues. In 2022, Oregon passed a constitutional
amendment guaranteeing universal health care and is designing a single-payer model, which could be enacted as soon as fall 2027.
Colorado is currently conducting a feasibility study on single-payer health care in the state. Federally, Vermont U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders filed the Medicare for All Act in 2025. The legislation was referred to the Senate Committee on Finance.
“I want to see high speed rail,” Lachenmeyer said, adding a 45-minute commute to Boston would be a vehcile for demographic and economic growth. While the Compass Rail passenger rail plan the state has been pursuing does not include a highspeed rail option, Lachenmeyer said it may be possible as a future addition, although he opined that the federal government, which provides much of the railroad funding, is not interested.
Lachenmeyer also wants to see changes to the way Chapter 70 school aid is calculated.
“Funding education primarily through property taxes bakes in inequities,” he said, adding that the formula should incorporate inflation. While he praised the Fair Share Amendment, which passed in 2022 and instituted a 4% surcharge on personal income over $1 million, he disagreed with how the revenue has been spent. He acknowledged the benefits of free community college and free buses but said the state should channel as much of the revenue as possible into public K-12 education.
Taking a position on whether the state auditor should be able to audit the Legislature, a contentious issue making its way through the state’s Supreme Judicial Court, the candidate said, “I think that’s very important for people’s trust in the government.” Lachenmeyer would also institute 10-year term limits for state legislators and an eightyear limit for the speaker of the House, ban legislators from trading stocks while in office and ban legislators from working as lobbyists for five years after leaving office to limit what he described as a “revolving door” of influence.
Lachenmeyer admits that his goals are more progressive than those of many other legislators, but he is not deterred. “The job of a politician is to try to move the window,” he said. “The compromise becomes partway between how things are and what we want to see.” Over time, the status quo shifts. An example, he pointed to U.S. Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Ayanna Pressley and Rashida Tlaib — who were given the collective nickname, “The Squad” when elected in 2018. The progressive representatives may not have been able to get all their priorities passed, but those issues have received greater attention through their presence in the House of Representatives.
“Change comes slowly,” Lachenmeyer said. “But it’s worth sticking with it to eventually reach our goals.”
TIE TO SUCCESS — State Rep. Orlando Ramos brought together about a dozen lawmakers, and local civic and business leaders to teach high schoolers at Springfield’s Putnam Vocational Technical Academy one skill they had all mastered: how to tie a tie. With instructional sheets on hand, Ramos, state Rep. Carlos Gonzalez, state Sen. Adam Gomez, Ryan McCollum, Jesse Lederman, Antonio Simmons, Dennis Duquette, Chris Bouzakis, Nick Antonakas and others helped the high schoolers learn a basic knot, half Windsor and full Windsor. The mentorship was designed to help the teens see themselves in professional roles and instill a confidence that will carry them forward into their future careers.
Reminder Publishing photos by Sarah Heinonen
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
Hurst questions election commissioner about votes cast
By Sarah Heinonen sheinonen@thereminder.com
SPRINGFIELD — City councilors had questions for Election Commissioner Gladys Oyola-Lopez and Deputy Commissioner Chelsea Parmentier about what appeared to be a discrepancy in the number of votes cast in the 2025 municipal election.
At Large City Councilor Justin Hurst, the chair of the General Government Subcommittee, began the April 21 meeting by explaining that, after the polls had closed on Nov. 4, 2025, the city’s election website reflected a voter total of 12,623 with 53 or 73 precincts reporting. Later, he said, the website was updated to show a total of 13,100 ballots had been cast. He maintained that the 477 votes would have been enough to change the outcome of some of the close races.
Oyola-Lopez emphasized that all votes had been counted on election night. “The outcome on election night was the outcome after election night,” she said. She explained that the discrepancy that Hurst referred to was the result of a software error. While she was not made aware of it until the end of the night, she said the software had been showing that all precincts had reported their totals all night. When candidates and the media checked the results on the website later that night, it showed all votes were in. However, the results for precincts 2b, 8b and 8b1 had yet to be added to the tally.
SPRINGFIELD — The Rotary Club of Springfield has announced six local nonprofit organizations as recipients of its 2026 Community Grants. These grants will support programs focused on youth development, public safety, housing stability and community improvement.
This year’s grant cycle drew a record number of applicants.
“Over 30 grant applications were received this year — a new record — making it a very difficult decision for the Grants Committee,” said Rotary Club of Springfield President Michael Kelly.
The following organizations and projects were selected for funding: Springfield JCC — Adaptive Equipment & Supplies for Youth
“Results on the election website are not the certified election results,” Oyola-Lopez said. Election results from all municipalities are sent to the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s office for certification before becoming official. Parmentier added, “We don’t declare a winner on election night... there are still provisional ballots to count.”
Despite Oyola-Lopez clarifying that all votes had been counted, Hurst contended, “While it didn’t change the election results, it could have.” He asked her and Parmentier to walk the councilors through the process of tallying votes.
Parmentier explained that the results are stored on a flash drive in each voting machine. Once the polls close, the flash drive and a paper printout that has been signed by all the precinct’s election workers are removed by an election worker and a police officer, and physically transported to City Hall under security.
There, Oyola-Lopez plugs the flash drive into an air-gapped computer — one without an internet connection — and compares the electronic results to the printout, known as a tape, and confirms which precinct the results are from. The results from the precinct’s machines are tallied by the software. Oyola-Lopez assured the councilor that election personnel cannot see who voted for what, only the tallies.
Parmentier said that when there is a slow period, the results
Development and Inclusion:
Funding will be used to purchase adaptive equipment and sensory tools to support children with disabilities participating in inclusive recreational and camp programs.
Arise for Social Justice — Arise Building Updates: Grant funds will support exterior repairs and improvements, including gutter replacement and painting, to maintain the organization’s community space.
• Springfield Boys & Girls Club — Summer Camp First Aid: Funding will provide first aid kits, medical supplies, and staff training resources to strengthen safety and emergency response at the club’s summer camp.
• Realistic Lemonade, Inc. —
are entered into the city’s computer, which updates the website. Oyola-Lopez added that the website reflects a “screenshot” of the previous upload.
Turning back to the difference between voter totals, Hurst asked, “When did you realize the discrepancy?” Oyola-Lopez said the voter totals were changed on the website after the official results were confirmed by the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s office. “I knew when I got the email,” she said. Parmentier said, “I found out from a social media site.”
Hurst said, “Nobody had accurate numbers.” He said he had never seen that situation before.
“Neither have I and I’ve been doing this for 24 years,” Oyola-Lopez responded.
Ward 7 City Councilor Gerry Martin asked the commissioner if the outstanding precincts were the last to be tallied. She confirmed that and said results are tallied in the order they are received. Hurst noted that the number of voters from the three precincts equaled 460, 17 votes less than the 477-vote discrepancy. While Parmentier said there were between six and nine provisional ballots, Oyola-Lopez said she was “not comfortable” with not being able to account for the other eight to 11 ballots.
“Did you notify the public?” Hurst asked the commissioner. She did not.
City Council President Tracye Whitfield said it should be a “courtesy” to let the candidates know
Youth Entrepreneurship Re-
source Kit: Grant funds will support educational materials and equipment for youth entrepreneurship and literacy programming serving Springfield residents ages 8 to 24.
Follow My Steps Foundation, Inc. — Thrive Over Survive:
Funding will support youth programs focused on fitness, entrepreneurship, and workforce readiness, including supplies and startup resources for participants.
• I Found Light Against All Odds — Lighthouse Home Project: Grant funds will help furnish a transitional home for young women exiting homelessness, including essential living and educational equipment.
when there is an issue. Oyola-Lopez said it did not occur to her to notify the candidates because the race outcomes were not affected.
“That was a mistake on my part, for sure,” she admitted.
Ward 6 City Councilor Victor Davila said, “I don’t want people walking away from this meeting thinking there was any impropriety.” Oyola-Lopez assured him that if there had been the possibility that the results could have been different, she would have notified the candidates immediately.
Hurst pointed out that the official results came in after the 10-day window to request a recount and said several races were “very close.”
Oyola-Lopez agreed that the Election Commission needed to ensure the issue did not happen again. She said she had notified the city’s information technology department to make sure the computer error is fixed, and that her team has discussed the issue with the state. The Secretary of State’s office recommended that the results not be posted online until they are official. Because that can take weeks, she said she had decided against doing so. Instead, she said they may upload the results at regular intervals, so people are used to seeing the votes trickle in.
Oyola-Lopez said the Election Commission intends to add a text box to the website, alerting people to the unofficial nature of the results. Hurst added that the official results should be publicized.
A total of $8,000 in grants will be distributed. The recipients will be formally recognized at the Rotary Club of Springfield’s Paul Harris Luncheon & Community Awards on April 30 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Student Prince & Fort Restaurant in Springfield. The event will also honor Rotarian Carla Alves, vice president, business banking loan representative of Country Bank, as the 2026 Paul Harris Fellow. The Paul Harris Award is the highest honor Rotary can bestow on someone who exemplifies the Rotary motto of “Service Above Self.” Tickets for the luncheon are $40 per person and include lunch. Tickets are available on the Rotary Club of Springfield’s website at springfieldmarotary.org.
Election Commissioner Gladys Oyola-Lopez answers questions about voter totals in the 2025 election.
Reminder Publishing photo by Sarah Heinonen
Blais Named 2026 Leader of the Year by MHSA
SPRINGFIELD — Nicole Blais, chief executive officer of Holyoke, Chicopee, Springfield Head Start has been named the 2026 Leader of the Year by the Massachusetts Head Start Association. This recognition honors her decades of leadership, commitment, and impact on children, families and the broader Head Start community.
In sharing the announcement, the Massachusetts Head Start Association recognized Blais for her more than 30 years of service to HCS Head Start. Her career reflects both deep dedication and a powerful full circle journey, having once been a Head Start child herself. Today, she leads the very organization that helped shape her early years, embodying the mission and long term impact of Head Start programs.
“Nicole exemplifies what Head Start stands for,” shared the Massachusetts Head Start Association in its announcement. “Her leadership has had a transformative impact on her program, her staff and the families she serves.
Congratulations to Nicole on this well-deserved recognition.”
Blais began her professional journey with HCS Head Start in 1996 as a Parent Education and Support Specialist. In this role,
she focused on strengthening family engagement and ensuring program standards were upheld. Over the years, she expanded her impact by developing family focused initiatives, leading teams and representing Head Start programs across Massachusetts and at national conferences.
In 2012, she stepped into the role of director of community engagement, where she spent a decade building partnerships with community organizations, media and public leaders. Her work strengthened connections between Head Start and the communities it serves, helping to expand awareness and access to critical early childhood services.
In 2021, Blais was named chief executive officer following the retirement of longtime leader Janis Santos. Since then, she has continued to guide the organization with a focus on innovation, collaboration and a strong commitment to children and families across Holyoke, Chicopee and Springfield.
“Unbenounced to me, my team nominated me for this recognition,” shared Blais with a big smile. “I am beyond grateful for the nomination and honored to lead this exceptional team..”
Her leadership extends be-
yond her organization as well. She currently serves on the New England Head Start Association Board of Directors supporting Head Start programs located throughout Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont.
Prior to this appointment, Blais also served multiple terms on the MHSA Board of Directors, advocating for policies and practices that strengthen Head Start programs statewide.
A lifelong resident of Springfield, Blais is proud to addition-
ally serve the community as a Springfield chamber ambassador and Holyoke Rotary Club member. Blais attended the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and did her graduate studies in Nonprofit Management & Philanthropy at Bay Path University.
Fire officials offer reminder after e-bike fires involving batteries
STOW — After two recent house fires involving the batteries from electric bicycles, Massachusetts fire officials are reminding residents of safety measures they can take to reduce their risk.
“As more people use e-bikes and other micromobility devices, it’s important to spread the word about buying, charging, and storing them safely,” said State Fire Marshal Jon Davine. “The lithium-ion batteries in these devices can fail rapidly and violently if they’re damaged, defective or recalled.”
On the morning of April 15, Falmouth Fire/Rescue responded to a Club Valley Drive home after a resident called 911. On arrival, firefighters found heavy fire in the attached garage, with flames spreading to the main structure. Firefighters brough the fire under control within about 40 minutes and rescued a family pet. No injuries were reported but all residents were displaced.
The origin and cause of the fire were investigated by the Fal-
mouth Fire Department and State Police fire investigators assigned to the state fire marshal’s office. They collectively determined that the fire began in the garage with the apparent failure of an e-bike’s lithium-ion battery.
“When you’re buying an e-bike or other equipment powered by lithium-ion batteries, look for the mark of an independent testing lab like UL or Intertek/ETL,” said Falmouth acting Fire Chief Chad Absten. “Listed products meet important safety standards.”
The next afternoon, the Holyoke Fire Department responded to a report of a fire in an Essex Street apartment building, where firefighters were able to contain the fire to one unit. Holyoke Fire and State Police fire investigators learned that an occupant had been charging his e-bike battery and noticed it getting hot and beginning to smoke. He placed it in the kitchen sink, where it caught fire. Residents safely escaped and no injuries were reported.
“Always read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions, use the manufacturer’s charging equipment, and disconnect it when the device is fully charged,” said Holyoke Fire Chief John Kadlewicz. “Aftermarket accessories and overcharged batteries have been linked to serious fires.” E-bikes and other micromobility devices have accounted for more than 20% of the incidents reported through an investigative checklist in use by the State Fire Marshal’s office and many local fire departments since 2023. Davine, Absten and Kadlewicz provided these safety tips for e-bikes and other devices powered by lithium-ion batteries:
Storage
• Read and follow follow the manufacturer’s storage instructions.
• Store lithium-ion batteries and the devices they power at room temperature whenever possible. Don’t leave them in a hot car, in direct sunlight, or in
freezing temperatures.
• Keep these items away from combustible materials.
• Store scooters and e-bikes outdoors if possible. If you must store them indoors, keep them away from doors, windows and stairways. Always keep these routes clear so you can escape and emergency personnel can enter.
Charging
• Read and follow the manufacturer’s charging instructions.
• Always use the manufacturer’s battery, cord, and power adapter made specifically for the device. Aftermarket and generic accessories have been linked to serious Li-ion battery fires. Plug the charger directly into a wall outlet, not a power strip or extension cord.
• Don’t leave a device unattended while charging. Disconnect the charger when the device is fully charged: do not overcharge the device.
• Charge devices on a hard, sta-
ble surface — never on a bed, couch or pillow.
Use
• Read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use.
• Use the battery designed for your device. Stop using the battery if it’s damaged.
• Stop using the battery if you notice an unusual odor, change in color, change in shape, leaking or odd noises. If you can do so safely, move the device away from anything that can burn and call your local fire department.
Disposal
• When it’s time to dispose of the battery, don’t put it in the trash or household recycling. Lithium-ion batteries can cause a fire if damaged in a trash or recycling compactor.
• Visit call2recycle.org/locator to find a battery recycling location near you.
‘Nacho Average Wellness’ event comes to Heritage Woods
AGAWAM — A group of local eldercare agencies and facilities is sponsoring “Nacho Average Wellness,” Thursday, May 7 from 4:30-6:30 p.m.at Heritage Woods, 464 Main St. The event is designed to of-
fer caregivers and professionals time to step away from their busy lives, reconnect with themselves, and connect with others, according to Chantal Bernard, founder of Chanda Care, one of the sponsors.
The featured topic of the evening is “Don’t be a Burnt Taco: How to Come Back to Yourself,” with a focus on conversation around simple, practical ways for caregivers to reduce stress and prevent burnout.
in the daily paper. We hope you find this useful and that you will refer to it weekly.
CHICOPEE
Mary Ellen Carey
Lisa J. Grilley
Claire Y. Henault
Aaron Thomas Kuschka
Jeannine M. Martell
Orminda M. Oliveira (Do Souto)
Barbara K. Parent
Florinda M. Ribeiro
EAST LONGMEADOW
Giovanni Montefusco
Colleen Smith (Moore)
HOLYOKE
Celia Drobiak
Edward F. Dupont Irene Kopeski Marion Fernandes McCormick Sarah Peterson
Rita Barr (Baskin)
Stephan John Wilfred Platzer
LUDLOW
David M. Fernandes
Irene Rua
Gonzaga “Tina” Teles (Dos Santos)
SOUTH HADLEY
Donald David
Monica M. Lindberg
John D. Magnino
SPRINGFIELD
Jean Marie Biancomano
James Brandon Fortune
Patrick A. Hassett
Katherine L. Kane
Edgar Valle
Fred Frank Wojnarowicz
WILBRAHAM
Joan Davis
James R. Garneau
Christopher Miguel Rodriguez
Margaritas, including a non-alcoholic option, will be available along with a taco bar and other light bites. In addition, guests will be able to enter a raffle for a wellness basket valued at $100.
The event is sponsored by Chanda Care, Chanda’s House, Brookhaven Hospice and Heritage Woods. There is no charge to attend. RSVP to tiffany.lagacy.genesishcc.com.
Left to right: Flossy Calderon, vice chair of MHSA Board of Directors; Nicole Blais, CEO of HCS Head Start; Michelle Haimowitz, executive director of MHSA; Lori Chaves, director of clinical and family services for HCS Head Start; Janet Steigmeyer, COO, HCS Head Start; Mahera Chiarizio, director of education for HCS Head Start and Cynthia Normand, CFO for HCS Head Start.
Reminder Publishing sbmitted photo
SOFTBALL
The Springfield Central High School softball team was defeated by Monson on April 15, at Central High School in Springfield, MA.
Londyn Williams drives one to right field.
SPRINGFIELD CENTRAL VS MONSON
Jazel Soto-Landrau fields and throws from center field.
Dalilah Wray charges the soft hit from third base.
Jenna Pooler fields and looks to throw home.
Mayanah Cabrera keeps her eyes on the ball after rounding first base.
REMINDER SPORTS PHOTOS TAKEN BY DAVID HOSMER
Radeliz Diaz drops the bat to hit it the other way.
Jenna Pooler turns on the pitch for a hit.
Samaryana Dupuis hustles home from third.
Lilyana Tousignant steps up to bat.
DINING ENTERTAINMENT
The Best Damn Panini: Krave in East Longmeadow
By Dennis Hackett dhackett@thereminder.com
EAST LONGMEADOW —
Having worked exclusively in East Longmeadow over the past year, I have come to appreciate the town’s many lunch stops. I am happy to report that another excellent spot recently opened its doors.
Krave Restaurant, which opened in March, offers a variety of bowls, salads and paninis. Krave offers signature bowls and paninis, like the Orchard bowl, which comes with gorgonzola, candied walnuts, tomatoes, chickpeas and cucumbers, or the Philly panini, which comes with roasted peppers, caramelized onions, sauteed mushrooms, shredded cheese and garlic mayo. Patrons also have the opportunity to make their own bowls or paninis, giving people the opportunity to pick from any of Krave’s ingredients.
In my many trips to Dunkin’ since Krave opened, the delicious smells from the kitchen have caught my nose as I have walked by, making me constantly say to myself “I’ll try it one day.” I am kicking myself because of how long I waited to try something. My first experience with Krave was outstanding.
Walking up to the counter, patrons are immediately greeted with a bevy of options, going station to station, working with staff to add different ingredients to a bowl or a panini. The staff also greets you with a big smile, ready to help you put together your order. If you’re in a rush, Krave also offers online ordering.
To me, barbecue chicken is a go-to sandwich, whether it has grilled or fried chicken and whatever other toppings you want to
toss in there, so when I saw Krave had a BBQ panini, I knew that was my first victim. Topped with a golden barbecue sauce and a chipotle ranch, and filled with bacon, crispy onions and shredded cheese, my mouth was watering looking at the menu. I combined those ingredients with a protein add on of blackened chicken, and it was the perfect combination of savory and sweet with the sweet taste of the golden barbecue and the subtle kick of the chicken.
Staff Writers Sarah Heinonen and Peter Tuohy can attest to the way my jaw dropped when I saw the size of my panini when I opened the container in the newsroom. The box had two huge halves of my panini on a pressed ciabatta bread. The picture included with this review does not do the sandwich justice; it was massive.
Coincidentally we also ended up having food from Krave for a company lunch meeting, where I was able to try a bit more of the menu, while still snagging a corner piece of the BBQ panini. I tried another golden barbecue staple, Krave’s Good as Gold bowl, which in addition to what comes on the BBQ panini, comes with avocado smash, roasted peppers and cucumbers.
The versatility and options to create your own meals stand out the most to me, so while I love their BBQ panini, I am excited to be able to come up with my own concoctions on future visits, whether that is a new panini or bowl.
Just a short distance from our East Longmeadow office, Krave is going to become a staple of my lunch rotation at work, with plenty of more things for me to try.
Krave Restaurant is located at 59 Maple St. in East Longmeadow.
Krave’s BBQ panini.
Provisions Picks: New wave of domestic Chardonnay hits shelves
As wine professionals we often face terrible misconceptions and slanders against our favorite grapes. We hear that cabernet sauvignon is a graceless fruit bomb (tell that to Bordeaux), that riesling is too sweet (there is a whole category of dry riesling called “trocken”), and that zinfandel is overwhelmingly heavy (not so in the hands of California’s new generation of winemakers!). However, no grape is more frequently misunderstood than our dear, beautiful chardonnay. Too often we’re told that it’s too buttery, too oaky or too sweet. It is true that there was a time when many California wineries made a name for themselves by making the biggest and boldest examples of chardonnay out there, using large percentages of new oak barrels and malolactic fermentation
to maximize the butter and vanilla notes in their white wines. This, along with California’s famous sunshine and the ripeness that can result from it, led to wines that, while sometimes finely crafted, were out of balance.
This grape is famously versatile and flexible though, known in the industry as “the winemaker’s grape” because of it’s ability to express itself in so many different ways. For example, cool climate chardonnays from places like Santa Barbara and Chablis are generally crisp, refreshing and bone-dry white wines with ample acidity. Explore Burgundy or Oregon and you’ll find chardonnays of unparalleled complexity and balance that integrate with oak so beautifully that you’ll barely notice that it’s there. Furthermore, many chardonnays do not under-
go malolactic fermentation, the conversion of malic (apple) acid to lactic (buttery) acids, at all. As you may be gathering, many of the features of the grape that some don’t care for are in fact decisions made in the winery rather than innate traits of the variety. Which leads me to three of our favorite domestic producers that are producing medium-bodied and balanced chardonnays that will change your mind about the grape. First up we have Osmote’s Cayuga Lake Chardonnay. Osmote is the project Ben Ricardi, a Finger Lakes native who initially worked in California until returning home in 2017 to make wine in upstate New York. This is a cool climate region, one that you’d initially think would be inhospitable to wine grapes, but in the Finger Lakes the proximity to large
SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield Museums invites the community to an imaginative evening of art, storytelling, and hands-on creativity at Play by the Books: A Novel Night of Creative Crafting on Thursday, May 7, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Michele and Donald D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts.
Inspired by the immersive exhibition Book of Wonder, Cover to Cover: A Hands-On Journey with Donna Castellanos, this special after-hours event transforms the museum experience into a lively celebration of books as art. Guests will have the opportunity to meet the artist, enjoy a guided gallery tour and explore their own creativity through interactive crafting stations.
“Play by the Books is about unlocking creativity in ways that feel both playful and meaningful,” says Larissa Murray, director of education. “Donna shows
bodies of water moderates the chill of winter slightly, allowing the grapes to reach ripeness. The Cayuga Lake chardonnay is light bodied and thirst quenching with a lean angularity more reminiscent of Chablis than California. Mineral with a touch of citrus peel. This is as light an ethereal as chardonnay gets. ($21.99)
Next, we have Scar of the Sea’s Vino de Los Ranchos Chardonnay. Scar of the Sea is the project of up and coming star Mikey Guigni, a young winemaker rapidly gaining attention for a hands of winemaking style that yields supple, balanced wines that sing with food. Sourced from a pair of organic vineyards on California’s central coast, this wine is aged on the lees for a year and a half before being bottled unfiltered. Crisp but textured, this wine
us that even discarded materials can become something extraordinary, and this event invites our community to experience that transformation firsthand— through artmaking, conversation,and shared inspiration.”
A celebrated mixed-media artist, Castellanos (American, born 1966) works across painting, sculpture, jewelry, and clothing, often giving overlooked materials new life. Her sculpture “Bertha, I’d like to know where you got the notion” was featured in THE OUTWIN 2022: American Portraiture Today at the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery and earned the People’s Choice Award when the exhibition traveled to Springfield in 2024. Throughout the evening, participants can turn repurposed book pages into costume collages, handcrafted bookmarks, and whimsical origami creations, embracing the exhibition’s theme of
showcases cool climate minerality with hints of golden apple and brioche. ($34.99)
Catch and Release produce their Fair Trade Chardonnay from a vineyard located between the Russian River and the north end of the Mayacamas mountain range in Mendocino County. This wine comes in at a low 11.8% alcohol, proving that California chardonnay can in fact be light on its feet. The wine undergoes a mild malolactic fermentation and aging in neutral oak barrels that impart no flavor while allowing the wine to breathe, softening the edges of the wine and adding a bit of mouthfeel. The result is a chardonnay that is easy-drinking and refreshing with a bright acidity and mouth watering notes of lime, minerality and a touch of saltiness in the finish.($39.99)
giving new life to old materials. Complimentary hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar will be available, creating a relaxed, social atmosphere ideal for a night out with friends or a creative date night.
Admission to Play by the Books is $15 for Springfield Museums members and $20 for nonmembers, with reservations suggested at SpringfieldMuseums. org/programs. The program is designed to deepen engagement with Book of Wonder, an exhibition that invites visitors to step inside a world where storytelling and visual art intertwine through hands-on exploration and imaginative environments.
Book of Wonder, Cover to Cover is sponsored by PeoplesBank and supported by the Springfield Cultural Council and the Massachusetts Cultural Council. MassMutual is the season supporter of the Springfield Museums.
