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Moolicious preparing for 6th Annual Thanksgiving For All By GREG FITZPATRICK Correspondent SOUTHWICK – Moolicious Farm is set to host their 6th Annual Thanksgiving For All dinner on Thanksgiving day. The free dinner is being offered to residents of Southwick, Tolland, Granville and other nearby communities who are in need of a Thanksgiving meal and great company. Joe Deedy, the owner of Moolicious, acknowledged that the event is truly a family affair as his family from all over the country comes to town to help him prepare the feast for the public. “It’s a family event,” said Deedy. “It’s a wonderful thing.” According to Deedy, he is planning on cooking for around 200 people. At last year’s event, there was only one turkey left over. On Thanksgiving Day starting at Noon, people will be able to sit down for a meal in
the Moolicoius dining room. The meal includes turkey, stuffing, onions, celery, cranberry sauce, gravy, potatoes, and green bean casserole. Although, if individuals are interested in having a meal but don’t’ have transportation to get to Moolicious, Select Board Chairman Doug Moglin will be driving a shuttle bus to pick people up at their homes. Deedy also noted that people can also get a meal delivered to their residence. If anyone is interested in either attending the dinner at Moolicious or having a meal delivered to their home, make a reservation by calling 413-569-1700. People are also welcome to donate any items they may have that make up the Thanksgiving meal. The items can be dropped off at Moolicious on 258 Feeding Hills Rd. from the hours of 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. SUE AND RALPH FIGY
WTA and WSKB to hold Thanksgiving Food Drive
Joe Deedy is preparing for the 6th annual Thanksgiving at Moolicious. (WNG File Photo)
By AMY PORTER Correspondent WESTFIELD – For the fourth year, Ralph and Sue Figy are helping to coordinate a Thanksgiving Food Drive at Westfield Technical Academy for students and their families in need from all the Westfield Public Schools. The one day food drive will be held on Monday, November 20 from 6 a.m. to 12 noon at Tiger’s Pride. WSKB 89.5 will be broadcasting live from the Tiger’s Pride for the duration. On-air hosts include George Delisle, Michael ‘Buster’ McMahon, Patrick Berry, Ken Stomski, Tina Gorman, Bob Plasse, Jay Pagluica and of course Westfield Public Schools Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski, who is coordinating the drive with the Westfield Food Pantry and the WTA crew, Joe Langone & Rob Ollari. People are asked to bring donations in through the Tiger’s Pride/Gymnasium door during the morning. Canned goods needed include peas, corn, gravy, carrots, cranberry sauce, beans, tuna, peanut butter, pasta sauce and juice. Dry goods needed are stuffing, cake
Gateway presents FY19 budget focus at joint meeting with towns By AMY PORTER Correspondent HUNTINGTON – A dozen representatives from the six Gateway member towns attended the School Committee meeting last week in one of the joint scheduled budget meeting for the FY19 budget. Megan Coburn, elementary principal and Jason Finnie, high school/middle school principal gave presentations on their goals and needs for the next school year. The presentations were shown on a new 75 inch monitor with stand, donated from a vendor who attended the recent regional Tech conference hosted by Gateway for area districts. The equipment, valued at $9,000 had arrived two days late for the conference, and rather than have it shipped back, they donated it Gateway Middle School and High School Principal to the school, Gateway Superintendent Dr. David B. Hopson said. Jason Finnie. (WNG File Photo) Coburn started her presentation with a
positive report about the results of the new STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) position created last year to supplement classroom teachers with hands-on projects in science. Coburn said in just one year, the schools were able to move a significant number of students (33, 48% of the population) from Needs Improvement to Proficient in science. A major district focus this year is on addressing the social and emotional needs of the students. “So many students are coming to us with much more going on,” Coburn said. She said there are a large number of students in Gateway on the autism spectrum, and also increasing numbers exhibiting destructive behaviors. She said more students also are struggling making transitions, and unable to focus and concentrate. See Gateway Budget, Page 8
mix, dinner rolls, instant potatoes, rice, cereal, oatmeal, beans and noodles. Perishables requested are eggs, butter, turkey, carrots, potatoes and milk. Ralph Figy said the food drive is a citywide effort. Last year, the drive provided Thanksgiving meals to 117 families who were identified by district staff and teachers in all of the schools. This year, they have a list of 154 families. The Figys, along with ten volunteers from the community and members of the WTA National Honor Society will set up stations “for all the fixings” immediately following the morning drive, and pack the meals for specific families according to size. “The Westfield Food Pantry has always been wonderful, giving us 100 meals for families of four, which we are supplementing,” Sue Figy said. She said she has families as big as ten on the list. She said other donations already coming include 20 turkeys from Firtion Adams, vegetables from Caldwell Banker, and a pick up coming from North See Food Drive, Page 8
Westfield man struck, killed in parking lot of Little George’s WEST SPRINGFIELD (AP) — Authorities say an elderly man struck by a vehicle in the parking lot of his favorite breakfast place over the weekend has died. Police say the victim was struck in the parking lot of Little George’s restaurant in West Springfield at about 8:30 a.m. Saturday. He died at the hospital Saturday night. State Sen. Donald Humason told The Republican newspaper that the victim was 80-year-old Nelson Raymond Dionne, of Westfield. Humason says he was good friends with Dionne, who ate breakfast at Little George’s nearly every morning. Police say a woman driving on the road crossed into the parking lot and struck the victim and several cars. The accident remains under investigation and no one has been charged.
Board of Health applies for tobacco grant By GREG FITZPATRICK Correspondent SOUTHWICK- During Thursday night’s meeting, the Board of Health applied for a tobacco grant from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH). Through this grant the state offers a program to promote community health and tobacco prevention to municipalities throughout the commonwealth.
Southwick is one of seven towns in Western Massachusetts applying to the program and had to meet certain requirements in order to be eligible for the program. According to the grant information from the MDPH, municipalities should reduce the prevalence of tobacco use, preventing use from teens, reducing exposure to secondhand smoke, among other things. Tom FitzGerald, the Board of Health
Director in Southwick, sees the tobacco grant as a great opportunity to have more structure in town with tobacco use. “Regulation without any kind of enforcement is a weak regulation,” said FitzGerald. FitzGerald added that the town of Southwick had a tobacco policy from the state years ago, but this particular grant will be a much more updated version.
Board of Health Director Tom FitzGerald. (WNG File Photo)