WE ARE HOMETOWN NEWS.

Westfield mansion won’t be saved, but features may be salvaged

WESTFIELD — The city’s Historical Commission isn’t trying to stop the demolition of the Atwater mansion, but it is trying to save some historically significant items in the 1896 house.

Horse owners unsatisfied with response to Big E’s barn fire

WEST SPRINGFIELD — Owners of horses injured in a Sept. 20 fire at the Big E are saying it was more serious than first responders and Eastern States Exposition staff reported.

Enfield’s Poet Laureate busy with festivals and creativity

ENFIELD — For Nzima Hutchings, Enfield’s current poet laureate, the world of poetry is one she hopes to open up to the community at large through writing classes, shows and festivals that bring poetry to the public.

Wilbraham store owner celebrates five-year anniversary

WILBRAHAM — The Scented Garden Gift Shoppe is celebrating five years of its current ownership.

Springfield residents, police share experiences at community meeting

SPRINGFIELD — Recently, amid a casual atmosphere with a light dinner of pizza and sandwiches at Wesley United Methodist Church, residents and law enforcement took part in the challenging work of coming together to find middle ground and a way to move forward.

Downtown Holyoke center of Recovery Day observance

HOLYOKE — Dwight Street in downtown Holyoke was briefly occupied with a group from Hope for Holyoke on Friday, Sept. 20 as they marched from Heritage State Park, to Veterans Memorial Park, and back to City Hall as part of their annual “Recovery Day” celebration.

Chicopee officially welcomes back ValleyBike Share

CHICOPEE — After the regional ValleyBike Share Program was officially welcomed back into the region on Aug. 12 during a ribbon cutting ceremony at Pulaski Park in Northampton, Chicopee officially welcomed back the ValleyBike Share program to the city with a ribbon cutting ceremony and e-bike demonstration on Sept. 16.

WorkHub on Union receives warm welcoming during grand opening

EASTHAMPTON — A feeling of exultation radiated alongside and inside 33 Union St. as the community gathered on Sept. 20 to celebrate the ribbon cutting for Easthampton’s new co-working space known as WorkHub on Union.

Westfield art walk features flame-painted copper, pub-loving fiddler

WESTFIELD — ArtWorks Westfield’s annual ArtoberFest art show will return to downtown Westfield from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, with around 80 artists, artisans and authors along Elm Street from the Westfield Athenaeum to Arnold Street.

Senior Center leader gets to know clients at Southwick BBQ

SOUTHWICK — Nearly 100 clients of the town’s Senior Center enjoyed a barbecue lunch and live music during the center’s annual get-together on Sept. 19 at Whalley Park. “Everyone seemed to have a great time,” said Lisa Anderson, the newly appointed director of the Senior Center.

Somers Town Wide Tag Sale returns on Oct. 5

SOMERS — This fall, the Somers Town Wide Tag Sale returns on Saturday, Oct. 5, rain or shine. Each person that participates chooses their time and are provided with a listing of all the locations by street name in alphabetical order, which will be posted on the town website (somersct.gov) and Facebook page on Thursday, Oct. 3.

Magazines

Dining & Entertainment

What I’m watching: frightful fall features for all

My plans to attend the Big E this year were thwarted by record-breaking attendance and, by my estimation, record-breaking traffic. For everyone like myself who lacks the patience to wait through lines, here are some fall films that will scare you into the Halloween spirit!

Fright Fest’s scare actors: your terror is their labor of love

AGAWAM — Willow Farber and Aimee Meunier sat on stools with their eyes closed. The table between them was littered with bottles of paint and airbrush applicators. While Entertainment Supervisor Gregory Seymour put the finishing touches of Meunier’s face with a brush, Melissa Wassell began spraying blue lines on Farber’s skin.

What I’m Eating: Frolicking through fall festivities

The days of summer heat waves are finally over! Like most New Englanders, I consider fall the best season for the region. The sound of wrestling leaves and their beautiful color gradient. The cool chill in the air that washes over like a comforting wave. Through these and other sensations, fall truly exudes a sense of place that feels so evocative to the senses.

Opinion

In support of schools as polling locations

In response to the article “School Committee (Chicopee) public input speakers seek change” (published Sept. 12-18) regarding the use of school buildings as polling locations, Bowe Elementary Physical Education Teacher Kate Moss, at the Sept. 4 School Committee meeting, presented valid concerns for student safety during election days at Bowe School, a designated voting place.

And now to the main political event of the fall

So, last Tuesday evening — Primary Election Day — I was at Smokey Joe’s Cigar Lounge, known the world-wide, having my usual Tuesday stogie and a beverage with some of the smartest guys I know and yet despite enjoying myself, I felt like the retired horse that pulled the fire wagon when there was an alarm going. I had an itch, a feeling that I should be in the fray.