WE ARE HOMETOWN NEWS.

Fourth Longmeadow Pride features familiar sights, new faces

LONGMEADOW — The fourth annual Longmeadow Pride festival took place on the Town Green on Sept. 15. The crowds came out to the event, organized by the Longmeadow Pride Alliance, heard music, sampled food truck fare, played games and learned about community resources and municipal projects.

Down syndrome walk to honor 2 moms who started group

Sue deVillier of Agawam and Laurie Houle Isham of Hampden met 25 years ago, after their youngest daughters were born with a genetic disorder called Down syndrome. Like many mothers in their situation, they were looking for information and resources.

Wildlife rehabilitator helps kids open up to ‘one book’

HUNTINGTON — Reading specialist Margaret Petzold arranged a special visit to Littleville Elementary School on Sept. 12 in advance of the school participating in “One School One Book.”

Blandford administrator excited to be ‘making a difference’

BLANDFORD — Town officials and neighbors gathered at the new patio outside the Porter Memorial Library on Sept. 10 to get acquainted with Cristina Ferrera, the new town administrator who started in the position on July 8.

West Springfield teen’s Caribbean trip mixes sports, service

Ten American teenagers traveled to the Dominican Republic this past July to not only play baseball with 10 teenagers from this island country, but also to work together as teammates on a community service project.

Nation’s unity recalled at Agawam 9/11 remembrance ceremony

“Everyone needs to do their part, that every time you see a man or woman who wears that uniform, to always remember to say thank you and to never let your memories of 9/11 fade away,” Mayor Christopher Johnson said at the town’s annual memorial ceremony this year.

Chicopee comes together at 9/11 remembrance ceremony

CHICOPEE — Chicopee police officers and firefighters, EMTs, state and city officials, employees and community members gathered on the morning of Sept. 11 at the Public Safety Complex to remember and honor all those who those who sacrificed and lost their lives after the tragedies that took place 23 years ago.

State, local leaders celebrate investments for veterans in Holyoke

HOLYOKE — In a celebration of historic investments for veterans in Western Massachusetts, the Holyoke Veterans Home received a visit from Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll, Veterans Services Secretary John Santiago and other legislative and local leaders on Sept. 13.

Monson Free Library, student honor memory of Sept. 11

MONSON — In remembrance of the tragic events that occurred on 9/11, the Monson Free Library partnered with Project 351 and the Massachusetts Military Hero Fund to honor those lost.

Springfield remembers Sept. 11 with tribute to first responders

SPRINGFIELD — Memories are made of sights, smells and sounds. Twenty-three years after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, members of Springfield first responder community remembered where they were on what John Sjoberg, chair of the Spirit of Springfield, called, “A day when time stood still, but our first responders did not.”

Magazines

Dining & Entertainment

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.

Dinner and a Show: Basking in the Connecticut Sun

This disclosure may surprise many New Englanders — I never visited the Mohegan Sun Casino until this past week. It felt good to cross an item off my New England bucket list; it was certainly much easier to achieve than camping in the woods or sailing along the cape.

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.