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Sep 12, 2024 | Hampden County, Local Headlines, Local News, Longmeadow

Longmeadow Pride to be bigger than ever, still needs volunteers

LONGMEADOW — For the fourth year in a row, the Longmeadow Green will be filled with people, music and a welcoming atmosphere, as the Longmeadow Pride Alliance hosts Longmeadow Pride on Sept. 15, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Sep 11, 2024 | Hampden County, Local Headlines, Local News, Springfield

Springfield Puerto Rican Parade embraces history, looks to the future

SPRINGFIELD — On Sept. 15, rain or shine, hundreds of people will step off from the corner of Main and Wason streets at 11 a.m. with flags, floats and music for the 34th annual Springfield Puerto Rican Parade.

Sep 10, 2024 | Hampden County, Holyoke, Local Headlines, Local News

First Annual Strides for Serenity 5K to support new women’s sober home

HOLYOKE — In an effort to open a new women’s sober home, the Michael J. Dias Foundation in partnership with Northstar Recovery Center will be hosting the first annual Strides for Serenity 5K, a community event dedicated to supporting those affected by addiction.

Overdose vigil speakers call for more awareness, urgency

WESTFIELD — The city’s annual International Overdose Awareness Day vigil took place on Aug. 29 in Park Square. Attendees agreed the event was necessary for spreading awareness about a problem that isn’t getting any better.

Artist explores lost town under Quabbin in Westfield exhibit

What remains of Dana is the subject of the Westfield Athenaeum’s new exhibit, “The Art of Ron Michaud: The Road to Dana.” The Athenaeum will host a reception with Michaud at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 12, in the Jasper Rand Art Gallery in the Athenaeum at 6 Elm St., Westfield.

Volunteers worked hard to make Blandford Fair happen

Second year Blandford Fair Preservation Association President Matthew Ripley said Friday the fair had its largest truck pull ever, from trucks from northern Maine to Pennsylvania to New York competing, with a $4,000 payout for the modified class.

Firehouse, fundraiser or restaurant? Big E’s Station 4 is all 3

WEST SPRINGFIELD — At the Eastern States Exposition, fairgoers can find a variety foods, from deep-fried Oreos to loaded baked potatoes to a variety of exotic foreign dishes. But there is only one place that offers classic American fare cooked and served by local firefighters.

Williams wins another term in House following close contest

SPRINGFIELD — It was a victory for incumbent state Rep. Bud Williams, but not necessarily a resounding one.

Springfield, Chicopee voters reelect Adam Gomez to state Senate

SPRINGFIELD — Voters in Springfield and Chicopee decided to stay the course, reelecting Adam Gomez to serve another two-year term, representing most of Springfield and about one-third of Chicopee in the state Senate.

Flag raising at MiraVista for Overdose Awareness Day

HOLYOKE — MiraVista Behavioral Health Center was the site for an observation in Holyoke on Aug. 30 for International Overdose Awareness Day, the annual recognition of the worldwide campaign to end overdose, remember without stigma those who have died and acknowledge the grief of family and friends left behind.

Northampton author’s book explores connection between dreaming and writing

NORTHAMPTON — Although they often live in the margins of mainstream society, dreams are a wellspring of creativity and lodestars for our life pursuits.

Survey seeks opinions on which Longmeadow roadway projects to prioritize

LONGMEADOW — Roadwork, including the installation of sidewalks, bike lanes and crosswalks, is a never-ending challenge for municipalities. Longmeadow is asking residents for their opinions on which roadway projects will help make streets “complete.”

Westfield school cafeterias excited to expand farm-to-table offerings

WESTFIELD — Rachel Kania, director of food services for Westfield’s public schools, said she is really excited about this school year. “I think it’s going to be one of the best yet,” Kania said.

Laura Mason

A.W. Brown’s to host second annual fall festival on Sept. 21

EAST LONGMEADOW — A.W. Brown’s Pet and Garden Store will host its second Annual Fall Festival on Sept. 21 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at its location at 144 Shaker Rd. in East Longmeadow.

Cliff Clark

Rates will rise 36% to meet shortfalls in Southwick’s sewer system

SOUTHWICK — The Select Board voted unanimously on Sept. 5 to increase sewer rates an average of...

Tyler Lederer

State grant of nearly $1M to fund work on Agawam’s Moore St.

AGAWAM — The City Council voted unanimously on Sept. 4 to accept $949,999 in Community...

Staasi Heropoulos

For local baker, smiles make the hard work worth it

WARE — At the crack of dawn nearly every day, Jana Hayden, a baker in Ware, is answering texts and sending emails before she gets out of bed. She hasn’t even had her first cup of coffee — such is the growing demand for the cupcakes and baked goods she makes in the family kitchen.

Tyler Garnet

‘Gyro Express’ offers Greek and Mediterranean cuisine

CHICOPEE — Gyro Express had a grand opening on Aug. 27 to officially welcome their brand-new takeout restaurant at 345B Chicopee St.

Ryan Feyre

DiSanto named Southampton’s new COA director

SOUTHAMPTON — Kate DiSanto has been a humanitarian at heart from the beginning, and now she is taking that attribute into her new role as the permanent director of Southampton’s Council on Aging.

Local Headlines

Longmeadow Pride to be bigger than ever, still needs volunteers

Springfield Puerto Rican Parade embraces history, looks to the future

First Annual Strides for Serenity 5K to support new women’s sober home

10th annual Dino Fest slated to be biggest one yet

‘Will Bike 4 Food’ returns to raise money for Food Bank of Western Mass.

Tyler Lederer

Town funds helping Agawam Fire House Museum renovations

AGAWAM — The Agawam Historical and Fire House Museum is in the midst of a project to increase its storage space, protect its artifacts and install new signs. Project manager David Cecchi said it’ll be done “well before Memorial Day,” which is the museum’s target reopening date.

Sarah Heinonen

Community turns out for 35th annual Stone Soul Festival

People browse the items for sale in a booth featuring NSAA African Creations by Marjorie Nicole.Reminder Publishing photos by Sarah Heinonen...

Tyler Garnet

Gas pump fundraiser will help raise funds for Lorraine’s Soup Kitchen

CHICOPEE — Raj and Kami Sanghvi, owners of the Shell gas station at 197 Grove St., announced a fundraising campaign for Lorraine’s Soup Kitchen & Pantry, Inc. during Hunger Action Month.

Tyler Garnet

Chicopee Boys and Girls Club teen center project receives funding help

CHICOPEE — The Boys and Girls Club of Chicopee’s teen center project received some financial help after receiving $1.5 million in lower-cost financing for Haven, the new teen center at 508 Meadow St.

Ryan Feyre

McAndrew tapped as city’s DHHS Prevention Team director

NORTHAMPTON — Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra and the Department of Health and Human Services recently announced that Taylor McAndrew will be the DHHS prevention team director.

Cliff Clark

Granville garage get-together to mark a century in business

GRANVILLE — It’s been 100 years since Ernest “Wad” Humphrey started working on cars and trucks in town, and to celebrate the centennial anniversary of the business, its current owner Doug Jordan and his family are having an open house and a “not retiring, yet party.”

Magazines

Dining & Entertainment

Laura Mason

Musical to highlight community support after child loss

LUDLOW — At the end of September, Ludlow’s Exit 7 Players will be performing Brian Yorkey’s “Next to Normal,” a musical that focuses on infant loss, mental health and family, in partnership with community organization Empty Arms Bereavement.

Matt Conway

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.

Tyler Lederer

Local restaurateurs bring new eateries to Big E

WEST SPRINGFIELD — The Eastern States Exposition has been working on new culinary partnerships for the Big E and other events at its grounds.

Ryan Feyre

What I’m Listening To: The big 3 — Some R&B to vibe with

As I’ve grown older, I’ve become more and more enamored with the R&B genre. When done right, it can manifest immense passion and vulnerability without sounding corny.

Payton North

Feast your eyes: this year’s Big E ‘Craz-E’ culinary creations

With only a few short weeks left until the Big E begins, The Reminder staff went out and celebrated our favorite day of the year: the Big E Media Taste.

Provisions

Sicily’s Mount Etna lends wine varieties a unique minerality

Here at Provisions, we’re huge fans of the wines produced in Sicily, particularly from the island’s volcano, Mount Etna. Etna is Europe’s tallest active volcano and still has minor eruptions from time to time, creating incredibly fertile soil laden with volcanic rocks that brings a bright acidity and crunchy minerality to the wine.

Opinion

G. Michael Dobbs

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.

Letters to the Editor