White Oak Graduates Class of 2021
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The Westfield NewsSearch for The Westfield News Westfield350.com The WestfieldNews Serving Westfield, Southwick, and surrounding Hilltowns “TIME IS THE ONLY WEATHER CRITIC WITHOUT TONIGHT AMBITION.” Partly Cloudy. JOHN STEINBECK Low of 55. www.thewestfieldnews.com VOL. 86 NO. 151 $1.00 WEDNESDAY,TUESDAY, JUNE JUNE 27, 20179, 2021 VOL. 75 cents 90 NO. 134 Southwick has White Oak two new police graduates sergeants By PETER CURRIER Class of 2021 Staff Writer By AMY PORTER SOUTHWICK – The Staff Writer Southwick Select Board WESTFIELD – Ten students graduated from White Oak voted June 7 to promote two School on the afternoon of June 7 in a touching ceremony that Southwick police officers to was moved indoors due to excessive heat. the rank of sergeant following Families were seated in sections in the gymnasium and a remote interview of three applauded as the seniors took their seats at the front, welcomed candidates. by Headmaster David Drake, Student Dean Gerard McGovern Roger P. Arduini and and Academic Dean Jody Michalski. Michael A. Taggart were McGovern said everyone was gathered to celebrate the selected unanimously. David extraordinary accomplishments of the seniors, and quoted P. Massai was also inter- Charles Dickens, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of viewed. times…” to describe the pandemic year. He said despite the In their interviews, both chaos and orientation, and despite the fear of disease, for each men said that they aspire to student the goal of completing their senior year was worth one day become the chief of ROGER P. ARDUINI whatever effort it took. “You all have the right to be proud of Southwick Police. Arduini said that he has a maximum Bachelor’s degree in Criminal See White Oak, Page 3 of 10 years left in the depart- Justice before taking an ment and hopes to move internship with the police Tractors of all shapes and sizes were decorated in patriotic quickly up the ranks. He had department in Portsmouth, colors in a previous Wyben parade. (THE WESTFIELD NEWS interviewed to become a ser- NH where had the role of FILE PHOTO) geant two years ago but did Elder Affairs Officer. not get the job at that time. Both candidates touched on After failing to receive the the topic of police reform. On promotion in his first attempt, Dec. 31, Gov. Charlie D. Wyben 4th of July Arduini said he went back to Baker signed “An Act school and got his masters Relative to Justice, Equity degree. and Accountability in Law When asked if he sees any Enforcement in the Parade planned problems with the way the Commonwealth,” which is police department is run, meant to increase police By AMY PORTER Montgomery Road from Arduini said, “I think this accountability and establish a Staff Writer North Road to West Road. A place is run about as smooth- mandatory certification pro- WESTFIELD – The Wyben Westfield police department ly as any other department I cess for police. Parade Committee has cruiser will lead the parade have ever seen.” Both men said that announced that its annual followed by the grand mar- Taggart made a point that Southwick should not have parade will be July 4, 2021 shals, office holders, floats, police officers need an outlet many problems when it beginning at 5 p.m. marchers including essential White Oak Dean of Students Gerard McGovern speaks for stress relief and should comes to police accountabili- This year’s parade theme is workers, a fire truck, an about the accomplishments of the Class of 2021. (AMY work to care more about each ty. Arduini said that Essential Workers. “We owe a ambulance and more. PORTER/THE WESTFIELD NEWS) other’s mental health. Southwick does not have debt of gratitude to all who Pat and Bob Allen are the “With the current stress of many of the challenges that a helped members of our com- 2021 Grand Marshals of the the job, we kind of forget larger police department, munity of Wyben, City of Wyben Parade. “Much grati- about each other,” said such as Boston, may face. Westfield, state of tude and affection for the Chief Bishop honored Taggart. “Everybody keeps each MAssachusetts, this great couple’s tireless and embrac- He said he would like to other in check,” said Arduini. country of the USA and ing attitude as the Wyben see more friendly get-togeth- He said that if he was on beyond. The 4th of July, 2021 Parade has been a huge suc- by recognition at ers within the department. is a perfect time to thank all cess for over 20 years under He said he earned a See Sergeants, Page 5 who put their own lives at risk their direction,” Crane said. to protect ours,” said Sue The Allens have called ‘Senior Drive Around’ Crane of the organizing com- Wyben home since the 1980’s By HOPE E. TREMBLAY mittee. when they moved to the Editor Crane said the committee 1700’s Allen Family SOUTHWICK – Although the intent of the “Senior Drive has invited or is in the process Homestead. Bob Allen retired Around” June 4 was to honor the Southwick Regional School of inviting staff from Baystate as a Hartford Police Officer Class of 2021, Police Chief Kevin Bishop ended up being rec- Noble Hospital, the Westfield and Pat Allen worked in draft- ognized. Police and Fire Departments, ing and landscape design. Bishop, who will retire at the end of this month, helped EMTs and military people Since retiring, the Allens organize and lead the car parade for the second consecutive from Barnes Airport. “We’re have been active in the Wyben year with the goal of making the seniors feel special after a encouraging businesses such community. Joyful Voices, a particularly difficult year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. as the Butcher Block and group from the Wyben However, when he arrived at the school he was greeted with a Kosinski Farms to build a Church who visit and sing to message on the front fence of the school –“Thanks Chief float or come and march. people who are homebound is Bishop” was “written” in cups in the fence. At the event, We’d love to have any essen- a passion of Pat Allen, who Bishop did a solo lap amongst the parade participants with all tial worker who resides in also serves as a trustee, is on the students and staff of SRS standing outside of their vehicles, Wyben to join in the parade,” the nominating committee some holding signs while giving Bishop a standing ovation. she said. and teaches Sunday school “It really meant a lot to me, especially this year leading the Participants, floats, cars, for the Wyben Church. drive around event,” Bishop said following the event. “I tractors, etc. are asked to start Bob Allen has many inter- thought a lot about the kids this past year of what they’ve been lining up at the Wyben Union ests and passions including through and how they met the challenges and conquered them. Southwick Police Officer Michael Taggart speaks to the Chapel at 4:30 p.m. with a canoe racing, repairing The timing also meant a lot to me. This class . I look at them Southwick-Tolland-Granville Regional School Committee in parade start time of 5 p.m. 2018. (THE WESTFIELD NEWS PHOTO) The parade route is along See 4th of July, Page 3 See Chief Bishop, Page 3 ‘Buried treasure’ unearthed in Southwick fields; museum display slated By LORI SZEPELAK through the Facebook group have pro- The Southwick Historical Society notes Correspondent vided invaluable advice as he once again the building that is now home to the SOUTHWICK — As area residents took up metal detecting. Westfield River Brewing Company was seek out interesting attractions this sum- “Gordon Roediger and Sam Ellithrop part of a large farm located in the north mer to learn more about regional history, took me under their wing and showed me central section of town. members of the Southwick Historical the ropes of detecting and will also be “According to Maud Etta Gillett Davis, Society are welcoming the public to sev- with me at the show on Sunday,” said the area was known as ‘Poverty Plains’ eral of its sponsored events. Ferris. because Samuel Fowler of Westfield had The society oversees the Southwick His display of artifacts will range from tried to dissuade his son, also a Samuel, History Museum, located at 86-88 a 1780 Spanish half reale silver coin, a from settling there in the 1730’s,” accord- College Highway, which is open on the King George II half penny, and a Native ing to the society. “The elder Samuel felt second and fourth Sundays of each American arrowhead known as a kettle that the land was so poor for farming that month from 2-4 p.m., and is also avail- point, to his “star piece” – a fully intact his son wouldn’t be able to make a living. able for tours by appointment, according Colonial shoe buckle. In addition to a The younger Samuel raised livestock to Patricia Odiorne, society treasurer. variety of older American coins discov- instead, and became quite prosperous, On June 13, town resident Jeremiah ered over the past two years, Ferris will purchasing many acres in various parts of Ferris will showcase some “buried trea- also display a Civil War button and a Southwick over the course of his life- sure” he has found in local hay fields. British naval button from the time.” Ferris, a resident for 42 years, first Revolutionary War. While Ferris will show visitors his field took an interest in metal detecting when “I believe it is important to preserve finds, docents will also be available for he was young and only recently decided things from the past,” said Ferris, noting tours of the Joseph Moore House and the to once again explore the hobby after the hay fields he has permission to Charles J.