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Nov 20, 2024 | Hampden County, Local Headlines, Local News, Longmeadow

Longmeadow schools submit wish list of capital projects but temper expectations

LONGMEADOW — The Longmeadow School Department is requesting funding for nine capital projects, but Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations Tom Mazza emphasized he only expects a couple projects to make it to the final budget.

Nov 19, 2024 | Hampden County, Local Headlines, Local News, West Springfield

Yuletree Jubilee raises money to support community artists

WEST SPRINGFIELD — The Red Thread Network, an organization that supports arts and artists in town will have its Yuletree Jubilee beginning Friday, Nov. 29, to Sunday, Dec. 8, in the Community Room at the West Springfield Public Library, 200 Park St.

Nov 18, 2024 | Chicopee, Hampden County, Hampshire Hilltowns, Local Headlines, Local News, Northampton, Springfield

Record rates of food assistance needed, state grants seek to help

Food insecurity is an ongoing problem across the country, and Western Massachusetts is no different. According to an annual report from the Greater Boston Food Bank, 2023 saw 48% of people in Hampden County facing food insecurity. The same was true for 37% of Hampshire County residents.

Dog treat decorating studio opens in Somers

SOMERS — DIY Treats 4 Dogs are the first of their kind to offer a dog treat decorating studio in the United States and are proud to be opening in Somers.

Veterans Day marked with thoughts of ‘cost and the blessing of liberty’

EAST LONGMEADOW — As is the custom in East Longmeadow, Veterans Day was marked by a procession of members of American Legion Post 293, clad in their regalia, marching the short distance from the post to the Town Hall. Joined by local and state officials and two contingents of Scouts, the veterans stood at attention in the bright fall sun while Vice Commander Jim Plushner led the ceremony.

Agawam senior receives Certificate of Academic Excellence

AGAWAM — During the Agawam School Committee meeting on Nov. 12, Assistant Superintendent Cheryl Salomao presented the M.A.S.S. Certificate of Academic Excellence to Agawam High School senior David Abramchuk.

Jeff Walsh named O’ Connell award recipient for parade contributions

Puerto Rican community celebrates heritage during, after flag raising

CHICOPEE — On Nov. 14, Chicopee residents, business owners and state officials came together to celebrate Puerto Rican Heritage Month with a flag-raising ceremony followed by a celebration across the street at Market Square.

Hampden DA announces arrest in decades-old homicide case

SPRINGFIELD — Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni announced during a Nov. 13 press conference that an arrest has finally been made for a double homicide that occurred 46 years ago.

Easthampton honors veterans with Veterans Day ceremonies

EASTHAMPTON — The community of Easthampton gathered throughout the city on Veterans Day to honor those who serve the nation.

Holyoke designer creates gown for Oz historian attending ‘Wicked’ premiere

HOLYOKE — Paper City Fabrics owner and Holyoke-based fashion designer Joseph Charles collaborated with popular content creator Tori Calamito to create a sustainable custom gown for the movie premiere of “Wicked” on Saturday, Nov. 9 in Los Angeles.

Jillian Battles fills 800 bags for troops 4th year in a row

WESTFIELD — Over the weekend of Nov. 9, Westfield High School senior Jillian Battles completed her mission of filling 800 “Bags for Bravery” for active troops and veterans with everything from personal care items and throw blankets, to notebooks, pens, pencils and playing cards to a wide range of snacks.

Former Westfield Police Chief Valliere recognized for service

WESTFIELD — As former Police Chief Lawrence Valliere stood in the City Council Chambers after being recognized by state and local officials for his 41 years of police work, he recounted a conversation with another former Westfield police chief, John Camerota, with his friends, family and mother looking on.

Miasha Lee

Enfield Senior Center to host annual Holiday Craft Fair

ENFIELD — The Enfield Senior Center’s Holiday Craft Fair will take place on Saturday, Dec. 7 from 8 a.m. to noon. There will be unique gift items handmade by the Senior Center members, a quilt raffle, teacup raffles, a pancake breakfast by the Enfield Lions Club and more. All the money raised from the craft fair goes directly toward the center.

Sarah Heinonen

East Longmeadow Town Council swaps free cash for ARPA funding to buy 382 N. Main St.

EAST LONGMEADOW — The Town Council voted Nov. 12 to change the funding sources for the acquisition of 382 N. Main St., the future home of East Longmeadow’s Town Hall.

Trent Levakis

Agawam Police Association continues food drive

AGAWAM — The Agawam Police Association once again is inviting the public to help “Stuff” the Cruiser as its annual Thanksgiving Food Drive returns on Saturday, Nov. 23, and Sunday, Nov. 24.

Tyler Garnet

Chicopee partners with Lorraine’s food pantry for citywide food drive

CHICOPEE — The city of Chicopee announced a citywide food drive in partnership with Lorraine’s Soup Kitchen and Pantry on Thursday, Nov. 21 and Friday, Nov. 22 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 650 Memorial Dr.

Miasha Lee

Silver Bell Farm commemorates 10-year anniversary

MONSON — This holiday season, Silver Bell Farm, a family-owned farm and event venue with locally grown Christmas trees and pumpkins, is celebrating its 10th anniversary. The farm has been a cherished part of the community, bringing families together through hands-on activities, special events and seasonal celebrations.

Ryan Feyre

Easthampton receives $4.4 million housing grant

EASTHAMPTON — The city of Easthampton was recently awarded a $4.4 million grant from the state’s HousingWorks Infrastructure Program to help accommodate a major housing project happening at 11 Ferry St.

Local Headlines

Longmeadow schools submit wish list of capital projects but temper expectations

Yuletree Jubilee raises money to support community artists

Record rates of food assistance needed, state grants seek to help

Council resolution endorses embargo on U.S. arms to Israel

Sarno kicks off 102nd Toy for Joy with $200 donation

Dennis Hackett

West Springfield honors veterans with parade, ceremony

WEST SPRINGFIELD — On Veterans Day, all of West Springfield came out to show its support for veterans with a parade and ceremony at the Municipal Building.

Tyler Garnet

Holyoke honors veterans while pledging to do more to help

HOLYOKE — The Holyoke community gathered for the yearly Veterans Day ceremony inside the War Memorial Building on Nov. 11, put on once again by the Patriotic Events Committee of Holyoke.

Tyler Garnet

Chicopee gathers to honor Veterans Day with multiple observances

CHICOPEE — City leaders and the veteran community honored Veterans Day with an annual ceremony at Veterans Memorial Plaza on Nov. 11.

Ryan Feyre

Springfield celebrates Veteran’s Day with parade and ceremony

The city of Springfield conducted its annual Veteran’s Day parade under sunny blue skies. The parade began at Springfield Technical Community College at 11 a.m., traveled down State Street, and then ended at City Hall where a speaking ceremony and wreath laying took place.

Trent Levakis

The Shiny Black Door brings eclectic shop to Thornes second floor

NORTHAMPTON — Thornes Marketplace has welcomed a new business on its second floor with The Shiny Black Door, an eclectic collectibles shop offering a highly curated selection of rare jewels, fine art and other unique collectibles.

Cliff Clark

Southwick recognizes Veterans Day with ceremony at War Memorial

SOUTHWICK — Residents gathered on Nov. 11 at the town’s War Memorial to honor Veterans Day and to thank the men and women who have served in the military to keep this country free with a parade and wreath-laying ceremony at the memorial.

Magazines

Dining & Entertainment

Sarah Heinonen

Annual holiday show to return to Majestic Theater this December

“Home for the Holidays” cohosts Ben Ashley and Ray Guillemette, Jr., shown in a photo from 2023.Reminder Publishing...

Matt Conway

Dinner and a show: A slam dunk Celtics game

The Boston Celtics stand as a stalwart franchise in professional basketball. The team carries an indelible brand built from the fires of competitive championship battles and revered NBA legends. Bill Russell, Larry Bird, Paul Pierce, Kelly Olynyk … the list goes on and on.

Matt Conway

Dinner and a show: Flying with the Boston College Eagles

What is fall without football? Like most New Englanders, I spend most Sundays glued to my couch as I devour countless snacks and hours of mindless entertainment.

Sarah Heinonen

Bright Nights heading into 30th year as Springfield tradition

SPRINGFIELD — It may be hard to remember for many, but there was a time before lights adorned Forest Park each holiday season, before carfuls of families inched along the wooded, winding roads, oohing and ahhing and pointing out their favorite illuminations.

Ryan Feyre

The Big 3: A Halloween candy bag of R&B and rap

The last column I wrote featured a limited scope in genre, but with Halloween just around the corner, I want to provide a mixed bag of treats this time around. Below are some of my favorite R&B and rap songs I have been listening to over the past couple weeks.

Miasha Lee

New restaurant, The Black Sheep, out to prove it fits right in

HAMPDEN — The Black Sheep Cocktail Bar & Kitchen, located at 5 Allen St. in the Hampden Plaza, is a new craft cocktail bar and scratch kitchen that just opened, serving a diverse selection of cocktails and cuisine.

Opinion

G. Michael Dobbs

Additional train service is a long time in coming

So, a couple of weeks ago as I stood on the train platform at Union Station listening to elected and transportation officials talk about the status of additional passenger train service between here and Boston, I realized that no one acknowledged former state Sen. Eric Lesser.

Letters to the Editor

Wrong location for middle school

Article 6 is a wakeup call to Longmeadow residents signed by over 300 citizens who agree that the current Williams Middle School site is the wrong location. At the Nov. 12 Town Meeting, voters will get to decide whether they support a new consolidated middle school to be built on the current (WMS) property site despite some major disadvantages which threaten long term consequences for the town.

Letters to the Editor

Things to consider before voting on middle school

Here are some things for Longmeadow residents to consider before voting on Article 6 at the Nov. 12 Special Town...

Letters to the Editor

Find a better solution for middle school

I would like to address last weeks Letter to the Editor, asking Longmeadow residents to vote yes on Article 6. Contrary to the opinion of the MSBC, we are not trying to derail the process, we are trying to find a better solution and location for the proposed new combined middle school. Let me address each of their points.

Letters to the Editor

Williams Street is best location for school

The town of Longmeadow, with its excellent public school system, has the immediate need of a new middle school as the current two, Glenbrook and Williams, are in deplorable and outdated condition and repeatedly need maintenance and costly repairs.

Letters to the Editor

Concerned about combined middle school

I’m writing you to express my concern regarding combining Williams and Glenbrook Middle School at the Williams site....

G. Michael Dobbs

Oh, I can dream about winning Powerball, can’t I?

I don’t know about you, but twice a week when I go to Buckeye Brothers in the South End of Springfield to buy Powerball tickets and receive wisdom from my friend Dave Glantz, I play a little mental game.

Letters to the Editor

Vote yes on Article 6

At the Nov. 12 Town Meeting, Longmeadow’s progress toward building a much-needed middle school could be put in jeopardy by an article seeking to derail the work of the Middle School Building Committee (MSBC). Show your support for a new school by voting yes on Article 6.