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.
A surprise to no one: another sentimental reminiscence
Not to gloat, but so far, 2024 has been the best year of my life.
Reminder Publishing has expanded into Enfield and Somers
Hello readers — welcome to Reminder Publishing’s newest weekly newspaper: the Enfield/Somers Reminder.
I’m finding my passions through giving my time
At the start of this year, I had an epiphany. “I don’t even know what makes me happy anymore,” I thought to myself. It...
I’m making a resolution to make fewer resolutions
I have always been interested in setting goals and working toward them, which is everything the new year is branded to be: an opportunity to look ahead at what you would like to achieve and coming up with a plan to achieve it.
Your hometown newspaper now has a new address
A few weeks ago, I penned a column about change. At the time, I was discussing the demolition of the Eastfield Mall and...
Eastfield Mall demolition unearths old memories
At times, I can be a very sentimental person. When I sold my first car a few years ago — a Nissan Juke — so I could buy...
Chris Maza
Disney’s briar patch was too thorny to go unpruned
As I write this column, my family and I are in the final days of preparation for our trip to Walt Disney World. In the...
The case of the missing reporting: a mea culpa
By now we’ve all seen the Saturday Night Live bit. We’ve seen the national news article shared on social media forums...
As access to information deteriorates, what’s our ‘Plan B?’
A few years ago, there was a brief period of time during which I left journalism as a full-time vocation. While I still...
Dennis Hackett
I’m voting no on Question 5 on this year’s ballot
Normally I don’t find myself becoming invested in many of the ballot measures that are proposed to Massachusetts voters come election season. This year however, several of the questions caught my eye.
What is going on with Northampton Public Schools?
On June 20, the Northampton City Council voted down the fiscal year 2025 budget after three councilors voted against it because it did not include a requested 14% budget increase for the schools, as approved by the School Committee at a meeting in April. The 14% budget increase would have ensured a level-service budget and no cuts to positions.
Saying goodbye to a legendary creator in animation
As I was going to bed on March 7, I came across a Tik Tok that I thought was somebody trolling, claiming that legendary...
Saying goodbye to the greatest coach in NFL history
Twenty-four years as the head coach of the New England Patriots. Six Super Bowl titles. Nine AFC Championship victories. Seventeen AFC East titles. Bill Belichick is no longer the head coach of the New England Patriots.
The NFL playoffs have me thinking about time passing
Back when the NFL Wild Card playoff round wrapped up several weeks ago, I saw an article noting that the oldest...
Tony Cignoli
The power of the red suit: a great holiday responsibility
There is incredible power in that special red suit. And to anyone entrusted to portray the man who wears it, that power bears great responsibility.
City of Springfield: The Square Center of a Nation
So many early mornings, at dawn and even before, I’ve had the opportunity to be in Springfield’s Court Square for live...
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.
Oh, I can dream about winning Powerball, can’t I?
I don’t know about you, but twice a week when I go to Buckeye Brothers in the South End of Springfield to buy Powerball tickets and receive wisdom from my friend Dave Glantz, I play a little mental game.
What determines how you vote in an election?
What goes into your process of determining how you are going to vote? Now, I realize many people instantly would talk about party or their self-described political status such as conservative, liberal, libertarian or other, but it’s historically clear that many factors come into play.
Removal of historic stone bench is a desecration
There are times I wish there could be more candid discussion in government.
The Paramount deserves being saved by a new owner
Earlier this summer, I made a trip to Rome, New York, to attend a multi-day vintage film festival.
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.
Have Constitutional freedoms actually been ‘lost?’
I really get tired of people claiming they have lost their “freedoms” during liberal administrations such as Biden/Harris.
Summer brings back memories of drive-ins and ice cream trucks
It’s interesting — and frustrating — how memory works. I forget why I walked into the kitchen to get something and once I get there I have no idea what my mission was about. Inevitably I have to walk out of the room and walk back into it to dislodge the thought from some closed part of my brain. And yet a whole flood of memories about events from years ago bubble up to the surface.
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.
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...
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.
Williams Street is best location for school
The town of Longmeadow, with its excellent public school system, has the immediate need of a new middle school as the current two, Glenbrook and Williams, are in deplorable and outdated condition and repeatedly need maintenance and costly repairs.
Concerned about combined middle school
I’m writing you to express my concern regarding combining Williams and Glenbrook Middle School at the Williams site....
Vote yes on Article 6
At the Nov. 12 Town Meeting, Longmeadow’s progress toward building a much-needed middle school could be put in jeopardy by an article seeking to derail the work of the Middle School Building Committee (MSBC). Show your support for a new school by voting yes on Article 6.
Why not 40 hours for Senior Center?
Here’s a scenario: Suppose you want to start a school because you believe you have courses that people would like and benefit from. So, you build a school and conduct courses during the hours of 8 a.m. to noon. People (young and old) come and like the courses. You consider it a success!
Yes to fiber
At our Nov. 12 fall special Town Meeting, Longmeadow residents will have the chance to vote on two articles to bring fast, reliable, affordable, town-owned fiber internet to our community. One article will be the second of two necessary votes to create a Municipal Light Plant, which will allow the town to build and own its own fiber network. The first vote passed at our May annual Town Meeting with 96.5% of the vote. The second article will be to provide funding for the initial steps of the project.