Home - The Reminder

Dec 11, 2024 | East Longmeadow, Hampden County, Local Headlines, Local News

Business owners to welcome community to The Farm at Hawks Landing

EAST LONGMEADOW — An old farm is breathing new life in East Longmeadow and the owners want to reintroduce it to the town. The Farm at Hawks Landing, formerly State Line Farm, will host Holiday Prelude on Sunday, Dec. 22, from 12-5 p.m

Dec 9, 2024 | Hampden County, Local Headlines, Local News, Springfield

Fire closes All American Bar, Grill & Patio indefinitely

SPRINGFIELD — An early morning fire on Dec. 2 has shuttered All American Bar, Grill & Patio for an indefinite amount of time.

Dec 9, 2024 | Hampden County, Local Headlines, Local News, Palmer

Palmer copes with unexpected end of private ambulance service

PALMER — The town of Palmer is now considering various options for a permanent ambulance service for the community since the abrupt departure of Palmer Ambulance Service at the end of October.

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.

Sarah Heinonen

Artist brings vibrant watercolor exhibit to Storrs Library

LONGMEADOW — Lori Rapuano sees beauty in the world around her. At the Richard Salter Storrs Library this month, visitors can see how she recreates that beauty in vivid watercolors.

Sarah Heinonen

East Longmeadow Planning Board reviews accessory dwelling unit bylaw draft

EAST LONGMEADOW — The Planning Board is in the process of crafting a bylaw to regulate tiny homes, in-law apartments and other “accessory dwelling units.”

Ryan Feyre

West Side mayor’s salary increased by $30,000 a year

WEST SPRINGFIELD — The West Springfield Town Council officially raised the mayor’s annual salary from $130,000 to $160,000 during its Dec. 2 regular meeting.

Ryan Feyre

Cestero offers specifics for AIC’s Pathway to Progress plan

SPRINGFIELD — Several changes are coming to American International College during the next several years in the form of a “Pathway to Progress” plan that the school unveiled last month.

Ryan Feyre

Springfield entrenched in housing consolidation plan process

SPRINGFIELD — The city of Springfield is currently going through the process of gathering public input that will inform a five-year Consolidated Plan for Housing and Community Development.

Amy Porter

Russell Parade of Lights will dazzle on Dec. 14

RUSSELL — The popular Russell Parade of Lights featuring area fire and police departments and vehicles of every kind, is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 14. The parade has been a local draw since 2000.

Local Headlines

Business owners to welcome community to The Farm at Hawks Landing

Fire closes All American Bar, Grill & Patio indefinitely

Palmer copes with unexpected end of private ambulance service

Amherst Town Council approves appointment of Stromgren as new fire chief

Claus for a Cause returns to Amherst Senior Center

Tyler Garnet

City Council sets FY25 tax rate that will slightly increase taxes

AGAWAM — During the Dec. 2 City Council meeting, Mayor Christopher Johnson and Assessor Carolyn Reed gave a presentation on the tax classification for fiscal year 2025.

Ryan Feyre

Springfield adopts trash rules changes, including mattress fee increase

SPRINGFIELD — The City Council officially approved changes to its trash fees and regulations ordinance during a Nov. 26 hearings meeting, more than two months after DPW Director Christopher Cignoli proposed the updates to the full body.

Chris Maza

Springfield Museums welcome visitors to Gingerbread in Toyland

SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield Museums recently opened its 15th annual gingerbread holiday exhibit with a theme of Gingerbread in Toyland.

Amy Porter

Westfield superintendent says special education reimbursement system is ‘broken’

WESTFIELD — During Finance Director Shannon Barry’s monthly report to the School Committee on Dec. 2, Barry said there is an unexpected deficit of over $1.5 million in special education and transportation in this year’s budget, largely due to several out-of-district placements that came in after the budget was approved in April.

Amy Porter

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.

Amy Porter

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

Cliff Clark

For fresh-made bagels, Westfield’s Comfort Bagels is the place to go

WESTFIELD — There are bagels, like what might be found at a grocer or even on the shelf of a local convenience store that crumble when cutting, feel a bit mealy in the mouth and so chewy it can make one’s teeth ache.

Matt Conway

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.

Debbie Gardner

Cirque’s ‘Twas the Night Before…’ perfectly captures the spirit of the season

Cirque du Solei's "Twas the Night Before.." took center stage at the Toyota Oakdale Theater in Wallingford, Connecticut,...

Provisions

Provisions Picks: Enjoy the Lambrusco renaissance

This month we’ll be exploring the sparkling red Lambrusco wines of Denny Bini. Lambrusco is a sparkling red wine made in the northern Italian provinces of Emilia-Romagna and Lombardy.

Trent Levakis

K and E Theater Group brings back holiday cheer in fundraiser

LUDLOW — Just in time for the holiday season, K and E Theater Group is back presenting its holiday fundraiser, “Believe — A Holiday Celebration” hosted by the Exit 7 Players Theater in Ludlow.

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...

Opinion

Payton North

Taking thankfulness beyond the Thanksgiving table

A few years ago, I wrote a column titled, “The most valuable gift can be the gift of time.” Those words have stayed with me, and as the Thanksgiving season reminds us to reflect on gratitude, they feel more relevant than ever.

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