SPRINGFIELD
JULY 16, 2026 | FREE
Rivera to lead Fire Dept. as Calvi retires
By Sarah Heinonen sheinonen@thereminder.com
SPRINGFIELD — It was a bittersweet moment for Mayor Domenic Sarno as he lauded Springfield Fire Commissioner Bernard “BJ” Calvi at a ceremony on June 7. Sarno extolled the retiring commissioner’s accomplishments, dedication and constant advocacy for the firefighters under his command.
Sarno also announced Calvi’s successor, Miguel “Mike” Rivera, who has served with the department for nearly 18 years.
Calvi, whose last day is July 24, has been a paramedic for 38 years and first joined the Agawam Fire Department in 1995, rising up the ranks to become deputy chief in 2012. He made the transition to the Springfield Fire Department when the position of commissioner became available in 2018.
At the time, Sarno said people questioned the wisdom of bringing in a “small town” deputy chief to lead Springfield’s 276 firefighters, but he told the naysayers, “You’ll see.” Sarno recalled the myriad times that Calvi dropped everything to oversee a major fire or disaster in the city, even rushing out of the Bright Nights Ball to take command of a crisis while still in his tuxedo.
Sarno also thanked Calvi’s wife, Carrie Calvi, for the “partnership” it takes to be the family of the fire commissioner.
Calvi choked up several times during his remarks. He said working as Springfield’s fire commissioner has been “the hallmark job of my career,” and aside from his marriage, “the hallmark moment of my life.”
Among Calvi’s accomplishments is going the entire 2024 calendar year without a fire-related death in the city. He oversaw a restructuring of the emergency dispatch, created an opioid
overdose response protocol by equipping first responders with naloxone and created a similar response for allergies with training in the use of epinephrine auto-injectors.
Calvi said the job of fire commissioner is “all encompassing.” He explained, “It’s 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If my phone rings, no matter where I am, I pick it up.” He said he has taken hours-long calls while on vacation. In a moment of levity, he recalled receiving a phone call about a lightning strike at Western New England University and being told there were “bodies in the building,” only to learn it was the medical lab and they were medical dummies.
In the time Calvi has been commissioner, he said several surrounding communities have seen three or four people rotate through equivalent roles. After doing the round-the-clock job for nearly nine years, he said, “It’s time.” He added, “I’m happy for all the work I’ve done. I’m happy for the impact I’ve made on the department and the community. And I will always be grateful for the experience I’ve had here and the support and leadership of Mayor Sarno, and that he gave me this great opportunity.”
Among those in the crowd applauding Calvi were his counterpart in the Springfield Police Department, Superintendent Lawrence Akers, members of emergency medical service provider American Medical Response and state Rep. Carlos Gonzalez.
Sarno pivoted his remarks to announcing the fire commissioner’s successor.
“Today, I name Miguel ‘Mike’ Rivera as our fire commissioner,” the mayor announced, noting that Rivera is the first Latino fire commissioner and only the second Latino department head in the city’s history. Sarno said Rivera,
a Springfield native and Putnam Vocational Technical Academy graduate, is a “shining example” of the talent produced by Springfield Public Schools and is “well-suited” to the role. He also said that promoting from within the department would provide a “smooth, seamless transition.” He also said, “We have probably — we do — the most diverse fire department. Our firefighters reflect our community.”
Congratulating Calvi, Rivera said he can rest assured that he is leaving the department in better condition than he found it.
Rivera thanked Sarno for supporting the Fire Department, emergency services and all first responders. “I also want to thank you for the confidence that you’ve entrusted in me with this opportunity to serve the city as the next fire commissioner. I’m truly honored and humbled,” Rivera said. He added, “No one reaches this
moment alone,” and thanked the mentors and colleagues and family. His wife, Jacqueline Fernandez, son, Abram Rivera and mother, Rosa Ramos, watched from the audience.
Rivera said he is “deeply proud” to be the first Latino fire commissioner. “I hope every young person in our community sees this as proof that no matter where you come from, with hard work and integrity, with perseverance and a commitment to serving others, anything’s possible.”
Later, speaking about why he became a fire fighter, Rivera said, “Civil service has been my thing. I love helping people.” He said, “I’ll continue to build on everything [Calvi] brought to our department and keeping our people safe.” Rivera said he is most looking forward to teaching young firefighters, and said, “Hopefully, I can pass my baton to someone coming up under me.”
POLITICS
Markey, Moulton clash in first debate
U.S. Sen. Ed Markey and challenger U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton had their first headto-head debate on July 8. Page 2
SPRINGFIELD
Law Dept. calls claims against clerk ‘witness intimidation’
The solicitor said his office could not issue a legal opinion on the manner. Page 3
Retiring Springfield Fire Commissioner Bernard “BJ” Calvi stands with Deputy Chief Miguel “Mike” Rivera, who has been chosen to replace him.
Reminder Publishing photo by Sarah Heinonen
Markey, Moulton clash in first U.S. Senate primary debate
By Tyler Garnet tgarnet@thereminder.com
CHICOPEE
— U.S. Sen. Ed Markey and challenger U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton clashed over leadership, policy and experience during their first head-to-head debate on July 8 at the WWLP TV-22 Studios.
The format, which offered voters a preview of the race ahead of the Sept. 1 primary, included a panel of Tony Fay from WWLP, Dave Madsen from Western Mass News, Elizabeth Román from NEPM and Jim Kinney of The Republican-MassLive asking the candidates questions. The debate covered a range of topics, including age and experience, ethics and finances, healthcare, transgender athletes, infrastructure, immigration and the West-East Rail.
Markey, the incumbent, is looking to secure another sixyear term. He was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1976. He has served in the Senate since 2013. If victorious, Markey said this would be his last time running for reelection,
“I need one more term to finish the agenda, this progressive agenda,” Markey stated. “And then I will step down. But we need to complete the agenda. We need Medicare for all, we need a green new deal, we need to make sure that we are fighting for every family who is out there who justifiably feels that they have been left behind.”
Moulton said he thinks the U.S. Senate could use a bit of a tune-up and argued for a new generation of leaders. Moulton is currently the U.S. Representative for Massachusetts’ Sixth District, which is composed of most of Essex County, including Tewksbury, Lynn and Gloucester.
“A lot of people in Massachusetts feel like they don’t have a voice in politics, and they’re struggling to afford basic needs, and we need a fighter,” Moulton said. “We need someone who’s going to change the playbook,
invest in a new generation of the years and start making Democrats win again.”
On the topic of his age and if it could affect his ability to serve the commonwealth, Markey stated, “This is the most energized I’ve ever been. Fighting [President] Donald Trump every single day, fighting his agenda to undermine families all across our country.”
Moulton stated that the focus should not be on Markey’s age but rather on the fact that the playbook has not been working for the last 50 years.
“We need new ideas and a new playbook because a 50-year-old playbook is just not delivering for our country, for Massachusetts,” Moulton stated.
Moulton spoke about his American Affordability Agenda, a comprehensive plan focused on housing, healthcare and education. He said he believes housing, healthcare and education should be human rights.
Markey said he supports Medicare for all and has supported the Millionaires Tax in 2022 that raised $5 billion to pay for education for kids in schools in Massachusetts. He also opposed the defense budget seven months ago, giving $1 billion to conduct the wars in Venezuela and Iran.
“My goal is to continue to fight for every day, to make sure every child has a very strong floor and an unlimited ceiling, and we’re going to need the healthcare and education money in order to accomplish that goal,” Markey stated.
The topic that caused the most debate between the two candidates was the issue of transgender athletes. The Supreme Court recently upheld state laws in Idaho and West Virginia that ban transgender women and girls from competing in women’s and girls’ sports at public schools and universities.
Fay noted that Moulton publicly condemned the Supreme Court ruling, but in 2024, he was quoted in the New York Times
saying that Democrats “spent too much time trying not to offend anyone” and that he wouldn’t want his daughters “getting run over on a playing field by a male or formerly male athletes.”
At the debate, Moulton said he stands with everyone in the LGBTQ community. “I stand with you because I always stood with you. I have seen the pain you are going through because of this hateful Trump administration.”
Markey claimed that the LGBTQ community has endorsed him in this race and applauded Fay’s question because “after the 2024 election, Congressman Moulton decided that he was going to throw trans kids under the bus, the political bus, and blame them for the loss of the 2024 election.”
Looking at Western Massachusetts specifically, the candidates discussed the highly anticipated West-East Rail, which Markey said he and his colleague, U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, secured $157 million in federal funding for.
Moulton argued that the current proposed speed of the train is too slow, and the funding secured will only pay for “10 miles of rail,” which is not enough to get to Boston.
“No one’s going to ride your train because it’s too slow, and you’ve had 50 years in Washington to get this done, and it’s not done,” Moulton stated. “Meanwhile, the rest of the world is passing us by.”
Moulton argued that if Mas-
sachusetts had a high-speed rail between Springfield and Boston, one could get from downtown [Springfield] to downtown [Boston] in 40 minutes, connecting the state and enhancing job opportunities.
The debate also focused on rising healthcare costs and changes to Medicare and Medicaid that are taking place this fall, changes that many say will hurt beneficiaries.
Markey said, “Next year, after we win the majority in the Senate, I will be the chair of the Health Subcommittee in the United States Senate.” He said his first order of business would be to restore all the Medicare cuts, including the $1 trillion that the Trump administration cut from the budget. He also wants to restore the $300 billion from the Affordable Care Act.
“And then we have to go beyond that. We have to double funding for community health centers. We have to double the funding for [National Institutes of Health] research,” Markey said. “In Western Massachusetts, I have stood up and have fought. I have met with all the hospital leaders out here, and we are going to deliver beginning of January of next year.”
Moulton said he agreed with
CORRECTION
Markey’s ideas, but stated, “This doesn’t happen by magic. You have to fight to win the majority.” Both candidates spoke against current immigration laws and agreed that they must continue to fight for those in the minority communities who feel they are under attack.
After the debate, Markey said, “It’s No Kings, it’s indivisible, and I’m a leader of this movement because we have to just have a higher vision for what the Democratic Party stands for, and that’s Medicare, that’s the green new deal, that’s taxing billionaires. That’s not self-enrichment but the enrichment of every family in our country.”
Moulton also provided a final message after the debate.
“I thought it was great. It was a clear contrast between a senator who’s been in Washington for 50 years and is very comfortable bending the establishment and the status quo. Talked a lot about the different things that have been tried over the last 50 years, most of which have failed, and in contrast, I’m putting forward new ideas, a new vision, a new generation of leadership, with a simple acknowledgment that the old plans haven’t worked.”
In the July 9 edition of The Reminder in the story titled “Local principal writes children’s book to celebrate school community”, Ron Clark Academy Administrator Troy Kemp was incorrectly identified as Ron Clark. We regret the error.
U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton (left) and U.S. Sen. Ed Markey (right) talk to reporters after their first debate. Reminder Publishing photos by Tyler Garnet
By Sarah Heinonen sheinonen@thereminder.com
SPRINGFIELD — Public allegations of potential corruption made by At Large City Councilor Justin Hurst against City Clerk Gladys Oyola-Lopez were left untouched by the city solicitor, who warned that the claims could be seen as “witness intimidation.”
At the June 22 City Council meeting, At Large City Councilor Justin Hurst publicly raised questions about actions taken by City Clerk Gladys Oyola-Lopez regarding a piece of city-owned property. Oyola-Lopez is one of two managers of Brightwood Elderly Living Loving Assistance, whose parent company, MPZ NNCC Plainfield Street LLC, is the preferred developer for the redevelopment of the former Brightwood Elementary School. She is also the president of the New North Citizens Council Board of Directors, which is working with the city to redevelop the site. Hurst said Oyola-Lopez should have disclosed that information when the Brightwood Elderly Living Loving Assistance sought a zoning variant.
Three days after the meeting, Hurst requested City Solicitor Stephen Buoniconti issue a legal opinion on Oyola-Lopez’s actions, which he characterized as “potential ethics violations, conflicts of interest, self-dealing, disclosure failures and other potential legal concerns.”
However, on July 6, Buoniconti responded that his office was prohibited from issuing such an opinion. Buoniconti mainly cited an investigation by Attorney General Andrea Joy Cambell’s office which Hurst is the subject of. The investigation stems from Hurst’s 2023 run for mayor, during which he was accused of offering compensation in exchange for votes. Oyola-Lopez,
in her capacity as the city’s elections commissioner, is a “primary witness” in the investigation.
“There is an appearance that your request for a legal opinion that targets the City Clerk could be viewed as an intimidation tactic against a witness in that case,” Buoniconti wrote in his response.
Aside from the potential optics of the allegations, Buoniconti wrote that the State Ethics Commission, and not the city Law Department, is the correct body to investigate such matters. Buoniconti, whose office recently released opinions about a potential conflict-of-interest and actions by City Council President Tracye Whitfield, said state statutes provide the Law Department with a “narrow” authority in such matters. He wrote, “The right belongs to the municipal employee who seeks guidance about their own conduct, not to third parties seeking opinion about others.”
Meanwhile, Oyola-Lopez referred a request for comment to attorney Scott Foster at Bulkley, Richardson & Gelinas, who represents the New North Citizens Council Board of Directors. Foster commented by email, “NNCC does not believe any of Councilor Hurst’s allegations have any legal merit. Rather, he seems to have incomplete and/or incorrect information and has jumped to a legal conclusion that cannot be substantiated.” He added that his office had been in touch with the Law Department and had provided Buoniconti with all pertinent information.
Hurst commented, “It is clear now more than ever that the City Council needs our own independent attorney. If our solicitor can’t make a basic determination for our body based on the facts presented as to whether we should vote on approving a grant for $100K because
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ARPA money to fix Old First Church exterior
By Sarah Heinonen sheinonen@thereminder.com
SPRINGFIELD — Old First Church, one of Springfield’s oldest and most recognizable buildings, will receive some much-needed work to stabilize the exterior of the building. Mayor Domenic Sarno announced that the city would be using $2.32 million in funding from the federal American Rescue Plan Act on the project. The project will also see an additional $300,000 in Community Preservation funding.
“Old First Church is a part of the history of America,” Sarno said. Springfield founder William Pynchon organized the church.
Former President John Quincy Adams laid in state in the center aisle. It was also a stop on the Underground Railroad, sheltering people who had escaped slavery. Notable visitors to the church included Daniel Webster and abolitionist John Brown. “This is where people came to celebrate, to mourn and to debate,” Sarno said. He shared his vision of the rehabilitated Old First Church as a “marquis meeting space.”
A methodical study of the church was undertaken in 2020, “board by board, inch by inch,” said Municipal Buildings Director Jon Carignan. After the study was derailed by the coronavirus
pandemic, Gale Associates of Rockland picked up where the previous study left off.
The work will mainly focus on the building’s exterior. Carignan explained, “It’s the outer shell — sheeting, siding, it’s painting, replacing boards. There’s some masonry,” Carignan said. The most important part of the stabilization will be sealing the building’s outer envelope and making it moisture tight. The project encompasses both the original wood-sided church and the attached brick parish house, which needs roof repairs.
Kronenburger & Sons Restoration won a bid to tackle the project. Asked about the possibility of hazardous material remediation on the church, Carignan said the city has a hazardous materials consultant on board, and all vendors must be lead-safe certified. “Some structures this old pre-date lead paint,” he said. The cost of any hazardous material remediation will be covered by the 20% contingency built into the project’s cost.
“The interior is in remarkably good condition, actually,” Carignan said, although some minor interior safety repairs that will be included in the scope of
Addiction counselors say they are ready to fill need in Springfield
By Sarah Heinonen sheinonen@thereminder.com
SPRINGFIELD — The second-floor office of Serenity Path Counseling & Consulting is decorated in calm tones with gauzy white curtains covering the windows along a brick wall. Comfortable furniture is set up for conversations. The only thing Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors Teressa “Terry” Williams and Leslie Harmon are missing is clients. The business had its grand opening in May, but the business partners have had a difficult time attracting clients. Williams and Harmon think that it might be due to insurance coverage. Williams said acquiring certifications from insurance companies can sometimes take a year. However, Serenity Path has certifications from most major insurance companies with one notable exception: MassHealth, which many people struggling with addiction are on. The duo said MassHealth no longer covers providers who are solely credentialed as LADC-I.
LADCs provide assessment, diagnosis, treatment plans and counseling for people with substance use disorders. Harmon said, “We understand substance use in relation to anxiety, depression, loss and intergenerational addiction.” Many social workers
and therapists do not have the same level of specialty, she said.
Serenity Path is dedicated to providing care for all aspects of life, because addiction affects all aspects of life, Williams said. The two offer individual and group counseling, resume building, financial literacy classes, and help to secure housing and apply for insurance. Williams said she even cooked holiday meals for many of her clients because many clients do not have family in their lives.
Williams said education for children is key to preventing addictions as adults. “Prevention for youth is one of my things. We spend a lot of money on adults, but what about kids?” She said many of the clients she treated at the methadone clinic began using substances between the ages of 8 and 13.
“We’re never going to get rid of drugs but if we can focus on prevention, we can nip it in the bud,” Harmon said. However, she said the right approach is needed. She said, “The old D.A.R.E. model, scared straight, just-say-no — well, you can see how that worked out. She said, “Kids need to be shown how to tolerate distress ... learn how to tolerate discomfort.”
Both Williams and Harmon feel the legalization of cannabis has increased the population of
people with addictions. Williams shared a personal story of when she took a gummy with THC, the active chemical in cannabis, to help with knee pain. “I was hallucinating, going crazy for three days,” she said.
Harmon nodded, adding, “Just because its legal, doesn’t make it safe. Look at alcohol.”
Both Williams and Harmon previously worked at a methadone clinic they started their own practice for different reasons.
Harmon said there was too much focus on bureaucracy and paperwork. For Williams, not enough time was being spent addressing all the clients’ needs. She said they were expected to
see up to 80 clients per week. Being in private practice allows Harmon to spend more time with her family and manage her stress, while Williams likes being able to customize the way she cares for clients.
Harmon also said she treated some clients who were interested in the methadone, but not the clinical services that are meant to work in tandem with the medicine. “I wanted to work with people who were ready and willing and wanted to take that chance,” she said.
Harmon said mental health and substance use are often two
The exterior of the historic Old First Church will be stabilized and repaired over the summer.
Reminder Publishing photo by Sarah Heinonen
Teressa “Terry” Williams and Leslie Harmon, owners of Serenity Path Counseling and Consulting.
Reminder Publishing photo by Sarah Heinonen
See COUNSELORS
Rachel’s Table celebrates truck to help with gleaning program
By Sarah Heinonen sheinonen@thereminder.com
SPRINGFIELD — Rachel’s Table, a food insecurity organization in the greater Springfield area, officially celebrated the acquisition of a new truck, dubbed the “Glean Machine,” with a ribbon cutting on June 7. At the same time, the organization recognized its move to new offices within the Springfield Jewish Community Center.
Rachel’s Table focuses on alleviating hunger and food waste. In addition to purchasing and growing food, it collects excess food from supermarkets, caterers, bakeries and restaurants, and delivers it to other organizations that address food insecurity.
Rachel’s Table also operates a gleaning program. Gleaning is the process of gathering food left over after a crop has been harvested. Farmers often grow more than they can sell to protect against poor crop yield. Aside from that, some produce is undersized, scarred or misshapen and so not suitable for sale. Rachel’s Table partners with several area farms to gather the produce that would otherwise be tilled back into the soil.
In 2025, the organization
Counselors
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sides of the issue, and treating one without the other will not work long-term. However, while work has been done to lessen the stigma around mental health disorders, Harmon said substance use disorders still see that stig-
worked with 27 gleaning farm partners. While most of them are in the Amherst and Hadley area, Cara Silverberg, director of program strategy, said Rachel’s Table works with farms throughout the hill towns, and from Enfield in the south as far north as the New Hampshire border.
The gleaning program represents 65% of all fresh produce distributed by the organization. Last year, despite a gleaning goal of just 54,000 pounds, Rachel’s Table gleaned 117 pounds of fresh produce, packing it into the back seats and trunks of volunteer’s vehicles to deliver it to 82 pantries and informal distribution sites. “It wasn’t sustainable,” Silverberg said.
The Glean Machine, a $45,000 gray pickup truck emblazoned with the Rachel’s Table logo, will support its gleaning operation, allowing volunteers to distribute gleaned food more effectively. The organization will spend another $10,000 to outfit the truck for its purpose and training gleaners.
The Glean Machine was funded through donations, small and large. One of the main donors was the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts. The nonprofit’s Senior Director of
ma. She said it is still common for people to think, “It’s a choice. If they just stopped and got it together.” What people do not realize is that substances change the neurological and chemical pathways in the brain.
Williams added, “You can be clean for 20 years and something can happen and you relapse.”
Harmon said, “You have to have compassion” but also offer a
Community Impact Ja’net Smith said her organization was excited to be a part of helping Rachel’s Table help the community. Ryan Trask, a member of the Max Cares Foundation board of directors, said “It’s an honor” for his organization to help Rachel’s Table purchase the truck. Go Graphics offered in-kind support by volunteering to wrap the vehicle.
Asked about the level of need in the community, Silverberg sighed heavily. “Unfortunately, there’s been a continued increase. The way need spiked in 2020, it just never came down,” said Silverberg. She explained, “More and more people who would not normally use a pantry are gleaning because it provides a supplemental food source. That population is rising — the band on the cusp of food insecurity.” She cited as a contributing factor the increased cost of everyday items, and particularly food. Taking a wider view, she said our society should look at the way it values commodity crops, such as corn, more than growing more nutritious fruits and vegetables crops.
Rachel’s Table Executive Director Jodi Falk gathers with Director of Program Strategy Cara Silverberg, Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts Senior Director of Community Impact Ja’net Smith, the Max Cares Foundation board of directors member Ryan Trask, state Reps. Angelo Puppolo and Brian Ashe and a volunteer in front of a truck purchased for the organization’s gleaning program.
State Reps. Brian Ashe and Angelo Puppolo presented Executive Director Jodi Falk with a citation from the House of Representatives and delivered a similar one on behalf of state Sens. Adam Gomez and Jake Oliveira. Ashe said he grew up food insecure, so the work of Rachel’s Table is particularly close to his heart.
firm structure. “We’re a drill sergeant, coach, teacher, parent and advocate,” she said.
Asked what they take away from working with people with addictions, Williams shared, “I’m passionate about this field because almost everyone in my family has struggled with addiction.” She said she is happy when she sees a former client and they are taking health steps. “It makes
EAST LONGMEADOW - THURSDAY, HOOK DELIVERY
132 Papers: St. Joseph Dr., Wisteria Ln., Pembroke Terr., Rockingham Cir., Dartmouth Ln., Partial - Prospect St., Chestnut St., Somers Rd.
103 Papers: Gerrard Ave., Holy Cross Cir., Kingston Ave., Lombard Ave., Nelson St., Roderick Ave., Partial- N. Main St.
128 Papers: Braeburn Rd., Channing Rd., Tufts St., Van Dyke Rd., Wood Ave., Boulder St., Admiral St., Thompson St., Partial-Dwight Rd. (odd side only)
58 Papers: Anne St., Helen Cir., John St., Vadnais St., Converse Cir.
131 Papers: Orchard Rd., Pine Grove Cir., Partial-Parker St., Porter Rd., Allen St.
135 Papers: Baymor Dr., Edmund St., Fifth St., Glendale Rd., Knollwood Dr.
LONGMEADOW - THURSDAY, HOOK DELIVERY
73 Papers: Williamsburg Dr., Eunice Dr., Tabor Crossing, Morgan Ridge, Burns Meadow, Churchill Dr., Partial - Converse St.
85 Papers: Andover Rd., Ashford Rd., Cranwell Ln., Deerfield Ave., Willow Cir., Williston Dr., Willow Brook Rd., Partial - Frank Smith Rd.
146 Papers: Albemarle Rd., Arcadia St., Barclay St., Chiswick St., Fairway Dr., Franklin Rd., Lincoln Pk., Whitmun Rd., Woodmont Rd.
95 Papers: Brookwood Dr., Kenmore Dr., Knollwood Dr., Partial - Shaker Rd.
97 Papers: Barbara Ln., Quinnehtuk Rd., Village Dr., Pioneer Dr., Partial - Maple Rd., Frank Smith Rd., Wolf Swamp Rd.
100 Papers: Norway St., Nevins Ave., Partial - Maple Rd.
155 Papers: Birch Rd., Yarmouth St., King Philip Dr., Sheffield Ave., Partial-Wolf Swamp Rd.
105 Papers: Hopkins Pl., Hawthorn St., Fairfield Ter., Laurel Ln., Partial-Laurel St.
During the celebration, Rachel’s Table also christened its new office. While it’s office has long been located at the Springfield Jewish Community Center, Falk explained the organization was limited to a 600-square-foot space. Recently, Rachel’s Table moved to a 1,600-square-foot office, with plenty of room to meet with donors and members of the community.
me feel good because, for a parent that’s struggling with addiction, I want their kid to be proud of them one day for being clean. I don’t want them to go through what I went through,” she said.
For more information about Rachel’s Table, visit feedwma.org.
“For me, it’s more of a spiritual thing,” Harmon said. “We all have a mission to raise up and empower others. Every person has the ability to raise themselves up.”
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.
41 Papers: Lynwood Dr., Duxbury Ln., Elizabeth Cir.
68 Papers: Woolworth St., Woodside Dr., Blokland Dr., Wilkin Dr., Grassy Gutter Rd.
57 Papers: Park Dr., Brittany Rd., Normandy Rd., Partial-E. Greenwich Rd., Colony Rd.
149 Papers:
Reminder Publishing photo by Sarah Heinonen
HOOPLANDIA 3V3 TOURNAMENT
BASKETBALL
The Hooplandia 3v3 Basketball Tournament returned for its fourth year June 19-21, bringing hundreds of players of all ages to compete for championships at the Eastern States Exposition grounds and the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.
Ta'Quan Zimmerman speaks to athletes about the motto, “Be a baller, not a bully.”
All of your favorite high school sports photos are now available for purchase!
CHECK IT OUT!
Cullen Donovan of Bloodline Basketball eyes the basket.
Liam Rivera of the Springfield Ballers squares up for a jumper.
Players competed on dozens of outdoor courts during a weekend of beautiful weather.
Julio Vazquez gives instructions during a free player clinic.
Eden Murray glides to the basket for a score.
Kylie O'Brien, Mya Knowles, Catelyn Beek and Eden Murray are crowned champions in the 17/18 Girls Division.
The Springfield Ballers’ 12U champions are Coach Chance, Abdiel Maurice Chin, Liam Rivera and Kendrick Sanchez.
Carmelo Holmes of The Squad dribbles and looks to drive.
Dylan Hawlk drives to the basket.
DINING ENTERTAINMENT
Glasgow Lands Festival to celebrate the spirit of Scotland for 31st year
By Trent Levakis tlevakis@thereminder.com
NORTHAMPTON — The spirit of Scotland will once again take over Look Park for the 31st annual Glasgow Lands Scottish Festival on Saturday, July 18.
As the only festival of its kind in the state and the second largest in New England, the day-long rain-or-shine celebration offers attendees an immersive journey into Celtic culture through worldclass music, heavy athletics and authentic traditions, according to organizers.
“It’s so rewarding, and every year we worry about so many things, but everything always comes together in the end, and the end result is that we have 5-6,000 people and there is something for everyone. It’s a family event,” festival Chair Peter Langmore told Reminder Publishing
The Glasgow Lands Scottish Festival was founded in 1994 at the Blandford Fairgrounds. Originally intended by its founding committee — which included Langmore — to be a one-time fundraiser to restore the historic White Church in Blandford, the event was so successful that it became an annual tradition that’s lasted over three decades.
The festival’s name honors the history of Blandford itself, which was originally settled in 1735 by Ulster Scots and known as “Glasgow Lands,” or “New Glasgow.” As the event grew, it moved to Stanley Park in Westfield in 1999 before finding its permanent home at Look Park in 2004. According to organizers, it has remained a premier celebration of Scottish arts, supporting local nonprofits and providing
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scholarships for piping, drumming and dance students.
Festivities will kick off at 9 a.m., and the Ceilidh Tent will be the go-to spot for high-energy Celtic music, continuing all day until the event’s closing at 8:30 p.m. Headliners will include Glasgow-based Albannach, Pipe Dream, and Celtic-rock bands Seven Nations and Haggis x-1. The festival will also feature popup music performed by Young Folk and a performance by the Pioneer Valley Harpers Guild.
Grand opening ceremonies are set for 11:30 a.m. and will once again feature over 30 competing pipe bands and nearly 700 pipers and drummers. This year, the festival will once again host the EUSPBA Northeast Branch Amateur Drumming Championships. Also returning will be Irish Dance demonstrations from two local dance academies. Pipers will be featured in the event’s closing ceremony with their annual performance of “Amazing Grace.”
“At the closing ceremonies, it’s really, really exciting when those bands come out, and then they have the Pipers come out front, and they play ‘Amazing Grace.’ It’s very difficult to not get emotional and get a little teary listening to ‘Amazing Grace’ with those pipers,” said Langmore. “When they all play together, it is so amazing. It’s a wonderful tradition that we have.”
The festival will offer attendees more authentic Scottish heritage and family fun, including the Highland Games, where “tree-tossing giants” compete in traditional heavy athletics.
There will also be a Stone Lifting Try-It Station, where attendees of any age can challenge
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themselves by attempting to lift different weighted stones in a test of strength. One stone, all the way from Glasgow and weighing 266 pounds, will offer one of the toughest challenges at the festival. Plans are to secure a heavy stone from Blanford and have it on site at the festival as their very own version of the rock and cultural connection.
Langmore added that these “gentle giants” are deeply tied to Scottish culture and bring great entertainment for all attendees.
“They [these games] exist because, historically, the clans in Scotland; they fought, if you know enough about history. Each clan had a chief, so somebody had to fight for him and protect him. The one who would do the best in the ultimate strength test would become the chief’s protector,” said Langmore. “The athletes absolutely love Glasgow Lands. Everybody loves it.”
Attendees will also experience living history by exploring the historic Highlanders encampment, watching sheep herding
demonstrations, and learning from the Weaver’s Guild of Springfield. For those looking to learn more about the Scottish ancestry or their own, onsite genealogists and clan representatives will be on site to help trace family trees.
Throughout the day, guests can enjoy the live shows while quenching their thirst at the Celtic Pub, which features local microbrews from New City Brewery, and Wine and Mead. Another option will be a curated Whisky tasting presented by The Whisky Pirate. Tickets for this specific portion of the festival can be purchased at glasgowlands.org.
The food onsite will reflect a taste of Scotland, including a smorgasbord of authentic bridies, meat pies, scones and shortbread.
According to organizers, a dedicated “Kids’ Corner” will offer a space for children for athletic games and access to the Look Park water spray park during the festival.
Funds raised during the event will support River Valley Coun-
seling Center and the Forum House, a service of Viability Inc.
The former provides vital mental health services to children and adults in Hampden County, while Forum House supports disabled and disadvantaged adults in Western Mass.
“I don’t think there are very many nonprofit organizations in this area who are able to donate $40,000-43,000 to other nonprofits,” Langmore said. He added that it feels rewarding to give back to these community partners through the Scottish festival and said he hopes to see another great turnout for this year’s celebration.
“When I’m able to stand up there at closing ceremonies, and thank everybody, and then have those pipe bands play ‘Amazing Grace,’ that’s just rewarding,” Langmore said. “There’s so much going on that it’s hard to explain. You have to experience it.”
For more information on this year’s Glasgow Lands Festival, its history, or to purchase tickets, visit glasgowlands.org.
Continued from page 3 the project.
The church’s weather vane was removed in 2018 after it began leaning, and it has been stored in a climate-controlled facility since. Carignan said the vane may be restored as part of the project, provided there is enough funding, but Chief Development Officer Timothy Sheehan said he is pushing to include the vane’s restoration.
Sarno thanked U.S. Rep.
of a potential conflict of interest, then he is part of the problem.”
Richard Neal for guiding ARPA through Congress. Matthew McAndrew, speaking on behalf of Neal, said the representative was “incredibly proud” to help fund projects that “respect and enjoy the beautiful history” of Springfield.
Sheehan described the church as an “iconic” symbol of Springfield and a cornerstone of the Court Square campus. He said the city had addressed other projects in Court Square, such as 31 Elm. Now it is the church’s turn. He also promised that this is the first tranche of funding that will
He continued, “Our City Council voted unanimously to send this item to committee in hopes of having our legal counsel weigh in. The solicitor’s failure to act now makes
be dedicated to the church’s fullscale rehabilitation. Carignan could not provide an estimate of the total project but said the city would take it “in bites.”
When it comes to the timeline for the work, Carignan said, “We’re treating it very much as a summer slammer.” ARPA funding must be expended by Dec. 31.
The plans for the project have been submitted to both the Springfield Historic Commission and the Massachusetts Historic Commission. The church was built in 1819 and is the oldest structure in downtown Springfield.
him a culpable party and only reaffirms for me what I have known all along ‘something is wrong ... now to the depth of which it is wrong ... I’m not sure.’”
look around previous year’s Glasgow Lands Scottish Festival and the different happenings throughout the day.
Photo credit: Glasgow Lands Scottish Festival
