WE ARE HOMETOWN NEWS.

Sip and dine with Santa at the Old Mill English Tea Room

SOMERS — The Old Mill English Tea Room is spreading some holiday cheer with their Santa Saturdays on Dec. 14 and 21 from noon to 2 p.m. People can come in, have their pictures taken and share a cup of tea with the Christmas icon.

Truck parade brings Santa to East Longmeadow to light Christmas tree

EAST LONGMEADOW — Blue, red and green lights flashed in the distance, sending up a cheer from the throngs of children lining curb in front of the First Congregational Church in East Longmeadow on Dec. 6.

Chicopee Parade Committee announces award recipients for 2025

CHICOPEE — With St. Patrick’s Day approaching before we know it, Chicopee Parade Committee President Kathy Sliwa announced multiple award recipients for the 2025 parade season on Dec. 3.

Don Sanders responds to claims about Victory Theatre project

HOLYOKE — MIFA Executive Artist Director Don Sanders met with the City Council to discuss updates to the Victory Theatre project.

Springfield Capt. Brian Keenan offered Holyoke Police Chief job

HOLYOKE — After a lengthy process, Springfield Police Captain Brian Keenan has been named as the next Holyoke police chief.

Santa Claus arrives at West Side’s Mittineague Park

WEST SPRINGFIELD — On Dec. 8, Santa Claus made his grand arrival at Santa’s House at Mittineague Park and was greeted by local families, eager to meet him.

Holiday tree event is 20-year tradition for Agawam family

AGAWAM — Volunteer work and giving back to the community is something that has always been a passion for Janine Iacolo. It’s no surprise that a favorite charitable holiday event for her and her family is sponsoring a Christmas tree for the annual Festival of Trees.

6 Brick’s once again donates money to Patton Alliance for Veterans

SPRINGFIELD — Government officials and other community members gathered on Dec. 3 to celebrate 6 Brick’s cannabis dispensary’s donation of $2,500 to the Patton Alliance for Veterans, a nonprofit organized by the descendants of famed WWI and WWII General George S. Patton Sr. and General George S. Patton Jr.

Toy for Joy gets two important contributions

As the weather turned nippier and Christmas began coming into view, the Toy for Joy campaign gained two important contributions — but still needs more.

Comerford credits team, constituents for recognitions

NORTHAMPTON — State Sen. Jo Comerford’s accomplishments were highlighted last month through two different awards recognizing her work to support early education and care access as well as the work of the Center for Human Development.

Westfield High School Community Closet lists greatest needs

WESTFIELD — Jill Keenan, Westfield High School English teacher and WHS Community Closet coordinator, recently spoke to the Westfield Education to Business Alliance about the success and continued needs of the closet, which provides needed items to students, faculty and staff at the school at no charge.

Westfield School Committee honors retired coach

WESTFIELD — School Committee member Timothy O’Connor took time at the start of its Dec. 2 meeting to honor Westfield High School Hockey Coach C. B. “Moose” Matthews, who retired quietly a few years ago after a 30-year career.

Magazines

Dining & Entertainment

Dinner and Show: Gourmet grinders and gladiators

The bristling cold of winter often leaves me blue. Seeing the sky turn pitch-black by 5 p.m. daily leaves me in a malaise as I pine for warm days where I could bask in the outdoors. During this hibernation period, I crave comfort food more than ever.

Opinion

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.

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.

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.