PET OF THE WEEK OPINION SPORTS Meet Finnley Don’t trash Baseball mourns and Willow our trails Hall of Famer Page 2 Page 4 Page 9 SERVING PALMER, MONSON, BRIMFIELD, HOLLAND & WALES The Journal Register A TURLEY PUBLICATION ❙ www.turley.com May 6, 2021 ❙ Vol. CLXX, No. 15 ❙ $1.00 www.journalregister.turley.com MEMORIAL DAY PLANS No parade, but Palmer still intends to honor fallen heros By Jonah Snowden Instead of a parade – this is the continues to ease up on pandemic “For more general informa- [email protected] second consecutive year the tradi- protocols, specifically with face tion, the best source I use is the De- tion has been interrupted because masks, McNutt said he encourages partment of Public Health on mass. PALMER – What’s a parade of COVID-19 – McNutt said there residents to follow guidelines and gov,” McNutt said. without a marching band? will be a wreathe laying ceremony remain cautious. “They have a dashboard with That’s the way Palmer Town at each memorial site in the town “We know masks can be ben- has a lot of interactive information Manager Ryan McNutt said he and surrounding villages. As far eficial in closed settings with large that is county and town specific. was looking at it when considering as if other public events will take numbers of people,” McNutt said. You can get the number of people whether or not a rollback of state place this summer, McNutt said “If you’re outside, you proba- that have tested, the number of peo- pandemic restrictions means the they are taking things “one month bly don’t need to wear a mask be- ple who have contracted COVID town would hastily organize a Me- at a time.” cause there’s fresh air flow and so- and the current rate of positivity.” morial Day parade. Palmer remains in the high- cial distancing, but if you’re going McNutt’s also said his open- “The governor’s announce- risk category for the virus with to go into an enclosed space with door policy remains in effect. ment is not really affecting this de- 51 new cases for the last two- other people, it’s probably prudent “Town Hall is open to the pub- cision,” McNutt said. week period reported by the state. to continue wearing a mask.” lic,” McNutt said. “It’s more related to the fact Hampden County as a whole is still McNutt said he’s willing to “I have a pretty open and avail- that the (Palmer High School) considered high-risk with several answer residents’ questions, but able open-door policy. Many peo- marching band wasn’t really able municipalities, including Spring- provided the caveat that he’d con- ple just walk in and if I happen to to play or practice much this year, field, Hampden, and Chicopee also sult with the Board of Health staff, be standing at my desk, they can so they are not in shape to play in are designated in the “red” catego- Courtesy photo the information some people want just (talk to) me.” the parade. Without the band it’s ry. Rather than holding a Memorial Day parade again this year, the town of might not be available and even if really just traffic.” Going forward, while the state Palmer will hold wreath-laying ceremonies at local military memorial sites. it is, the town might not release it. PALMER GRADUATION BUSINESS Palmer High commencement will be held at Legion field after all By Michael Harrison [email protected] PALMER — A campaign by Palmer High School students and parents to convince Superintendent Patricia Gardner to hold the June 6 graduation exercises at Legion Field apparently paid off. Gardner said at a recent school committee meeting that the cere- mony would be held in front of the school. The announcement was not well received among some mem- Turley Publications staff photo by Jonah Snowden bers of the school community. On Russell Cable, was the highest bidder who purchased the property 1440- Tuesday, she reversed course, say- 1446 North Main St., with a two-story mixed-use building for $150,000. ing she and Palmer High Principal Sue North “have worked diligently with the town getting permission to have graduation at Legion Field ‘Key parcel’ in Depot for the Class of 2021. Details of the ceremony will be shared over the next few weeks.” Village changes hands During an April 14 Palmer By Jonah Snowden tion of the building, which includes School Committee meeting, Gard- [email protected] an empty storefront, and it’s unclear ner cited last year’s pandemic-im- if it will be impacted by the sale. pacted graduation held in front of PALMER – A versatile piece Cable said it’s an investment the school. of downtown real estate recently property for his son, Russell Cable “We thought our graduation Turley Publications file photo changed hands. Jr. last year went really well,” Gardner After complaints from students and parents, Supt. Patricia Gardner reversed course and decided Palmer High’s Last week, the two-story “He’s done residential (devel- said, conceding, “it’s not a perfect graduation will be held on Legion Field like in the past rather than in front of the school. mixed-use building at 1440-1446 opment) and now I’m buying com- situation.” North Main Street was sold at auc- mercial property and I am going to Since then, parents and stu- tion to the highest bidder, develop- let him do the project,” Cable said. It’s not clear if each student Some complained that it was dif- every single thing,” parent Lynn dents who wanted the ceremony to er Russell Cable, for $150,000. It’s “I’ve been doing it (buying will be allowed to bring more than ficult to view commencement last Brown said last week. “I don’t un- be held on the field, which allows unclear how many people live in the property) for over 40 years and the six family members or friends year from the high school parking derstand why we can’t have gradu- for more family members and bet- building’s top-floor apartment or playing the game. We can do this stipulated under the original plan. lot and that Legion Field not only ation on Legion field.” ter viewing, were encouraged to if whoever lives there will be dis- for a living and make a lot of mon- Following the April 14 meet- offers better viewing, but is large North could not be reached for make their feelings known. Gard- placed. ey. This is how I’m going to teach ing, some parents said they wanted enough to allow social distancing. comment by press time. ner declined to say if the pressure Diamond Junction Bowling a better send-off for their students. The grads are “missing out on influenced her decision. Lanes operates in the basement por- PROPERTY ❙ page 5 ANTIQUE SEASON Whet your appetite in Palmer for the Brimfield show By Michael Harrison This year’s food truck, aka ing game in Palmer to see if pan- [email protected] Rose’s Country Kitchen, will have demic conditions would allow the an expanded menu featuring what show to open. Both towns are allow- Hundreds of antiques dealers coming to town PALMER — Get a bellyful of Swiechowicz calls “down-home ing modified shows that adhere to breakfast and fuel up for a day of country cooking,” including pulled state-mandated protocols on crowd BRIMFIELD — The first antiquing and live music as Marier’s pork, stuffed peppers and more. size, social distancing and other installment of Brimfield Antique Flea Market swings into its 42nd “Tasty fresh and the prices are measures. Last week, Gov. Baker Flea Markets 2001 kicks off year. reasonable,” he said. announced an ease in restrictions, May 11. It’s five days of down-home And start early because you allowing for businesses to open and With more than 300 dealers, cooking and a chance to see and don’t want to miss the full break- activities to proceed, though not all Brimfield Auction Acres, owned purchase an array of unique vintage fasts. at pre-pandemic levels. by Kate and Rusty Corriveau, items spread over six acres at Mari- “I think we have some of the “We’re just asking everyone to are the lone field for the spring er’s, 1628 Park Street (Route 20) in best homefries around,” Swiecho- use common sense so can keep this edition of the annual shows. The Palmer. The show is 7 a.m.-4 p.m. wicz boasted. going and get to have the next two rest are planning to join them for May 6-10. On Saturday, catch a perfor- shows,” Swiechowicz said. the summer and fall weeks. Owners Ross and Rose Swiech- mance by three-piece country and “We were hoping if Brimfield For the past few weeks owicz have something special for bluegrass band Still Pickin’. cancelled, Palmer wouldn’t neces- we’ve been highlighting some of visitors this year. Here’s a hint: Come Swiechowicz said like every sarily follow suit, but both are al- the more notable dealers you’ll hungry. other year, the show helps whet the lowing it and we’re glad,” Swiech- see at Auction Acres this spring. “We always have great food here appetite for the week of Brimfield owicz said. Here’s our final, pre-show pro- – it’s not your typical burgers and shows that begin May 11. “We’re following all the file: hotdogs,” Ross Swiechowicz said. “We used to call it the COVID rules.