LOCAL SPORTS FUNDRAISER Lions Girls Flynn make basketball remembered PAGE 3 donation action PAGE 5 PAGE 8 AGAWAM ADVERTISER NEWS A TURLEY PUBLICATION ❙ www.turley.com

March 4, 2021 ❙ Vol. 43, No. 1 ❙ $1.00 www.agawamadvertisernews.turley.com On the court Officials seek answers from county retirement board, or ‘Agawam Crony Cabal’ An audit report released tirement board can’t show proper enport said. “You have Mr. (Rich- documentation. ard) Theroux, who is the former last month pointed to mis- “One of the key questions has Agawam town clerk; you have management of funds to do with those invoices that Karl Schmaelzle, who is a Aga- amount to well over $200,000, for wam retired firefighter; and you By Dalton Zbierski which there doesn’t seem to be have the Agawam Town Trea- [email protected] any backup material,” said Hamp- surer/Collector, Laurel Placzek. den Town Administrator Robert You have three of the five [board] AGAWAM – Municipalities Markel of the audit report during members from Agawam, the [re- throughout the county are pre- the March 1 meeting of the Board tirement board] office is Agawam, paring to take action against the of Selectmen. “That money might and their counsel is also the town Hampden County Regional Board somehow be repaid, or at least we counsel for Agawam.” of Retirement after the release should have a decision to go after Davenport suggested contact- of a Feb. 21 audit that left more it .” ing a state representative or sen- questions than answers and gen- On March 1, Hampden Board ator to request that a bill be filed erated outrage over probable mal- of Selectmen Chair Donald Dav- to require all five board members feasance and mismanagement of enport identified another issue to come from different communi- funds. with the retirement board’s repre- ties. Davenport’s Agawam-centric And towns including Hamp- sentation that he did not approve inquiry is among many that re- den, which have had to pay ris- of. main unanswered. ing contribution costs over the “I think it’s important to note On March 3, Markel led a tele- last several years, hope they’ll get that you really have what I call conference with the retirement some of those funds back if the re- ‘The Agawam Crony Cabal,’” Dav- ANSWERS ❙ page 3 Hampden Town Administrator and President Biden share longstanding ties Delaney Brown takes a shot on the hoop for Agawam girls basketball in a By Dalton Zbierski game against West Springfield during the winter season. More girls basketball photos are on page 8. PHOTO BY DAVID HENRY WWW.SWEETDOGPHOTOS.COM Staff Writer HAMPDEN – On his first day at Archmere Academy in Claymont, Del., current Hampden Town AHS in great need of Administrator Robert Markel formed a friendship that would renovation or replacement last a life time. Markel’s acquain- tance was none other than Joseph By Gregory A. Scibelli Agawam High School is one of Biden, who, six decades later, [email protected] just a few schools in the area out- would become the 46th president side of Springfield and Holyoke of the United States. AGAWAM – Is it time for a that have not seen a facelift. “The first day of class when we “new” Agawam High School? In the last decade, Chicopee, were freshmen, he sat next to me; School officials here are Chicopee Comprehensive, West he was the first person I met in looking at the options for ei- Springfield, Longmeadow, and high school,” Markel said. ther renovating or possibly do- Southwick have all seen major The two students carved out a ing a full replacement of Aga- upgrades or brand new buildings friendship that still exists today. wam High School, a 65-year-old for their high school populations. As years have passed, Markel and building located on Mill Street. Agawam has submitted a new Biden have consistently had each Agawam has continuously ap- statement of interest to the MSBA other’s backs, lending support Photo: Hampden Town Administrator Robert Markel and U.S. President Joseph Biden plied for assistance through the citing the need to make major up- through a myriad of campaigns have remained close since meeting on the first day of high school more than 60 Massachusetts School Building dates to the science wing, but the while enjoying each other’s com- years ago. The photo above was taken at American International College’s Model Authority for funding for various entire school is in need of major pany outside of politics. Congress during the 1970’s, where Markel invited Biden to do the keynote speech. projects to renovate the building. AHS ❙ page 2 TIES ❙ page 2 PHOTO COURTESY OF ROBERT MARKEL.

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AHS ❚ from page 1 updates. or replace the building entirely. Test scores waived in IN THIS ISSUE The only work that has been There is now some urgency for done to the building in recent status of Agawam High School. Opinion...... 4 years is major upgrades to the While other school buildings in scholarship application locker room areas in the athletic town have had upgrade to their halls on each side of the gymnasi- boilers and HVAC systems, Aga- AGAWAM – Due to pandemic Fund awarded $297,000 in the Crossword...... 5 um. Those upgrades were funded wam High School’s boiler, roof, and and the closing of national testing form of 21 Scholarships and 3 Fel- by the town through a borrowing other major parts of the infrastruc- sites, many students have been lowships to deserving students. Youth...... 6 and were aimed at upgrading the ture are nearing the end of their unable to take college entrance All applicants must be residents athletic facilities. In addition to the life and will need replacement. The exams. As a result, SAT and ACT of Hampden County and full-time Sports...... 8 locker rooms, Agawam built a new roof is already in disrepair and re- scores are NOT required to apply students. Scholarships awards of varsity baseball field, made up- quires constant maintenance. for a Walter S. Barr Scholarship. $12,000 are distributed as $3,000 Classifieds...... 10 grades at the varsity softball field, The process to get a replacement Those students in college, as well annually and renewable each the tennis and outdoor basketball or renovation project approved as graduating seniors, are all en- year until graduation. Fellowship courts, and a stadium field with a could take many years depending couraged to apply. awards of $15,000 are distributed Public Notices...11 new track and artificial surface for on the process of the MSBA takes Completed Scholarship and as $5,000 annually and renewable football, soccer, field hockey, and as well as available funding as a Fellowship applications must be for two additional years. All recip- 12 PAGES lacrosse. result of the COVID-19 pandemic. received either electronically or ients must maintain a minimum Superintendent Sheila Hoffman Southwick went through a process be mailed to The Horace Smith GPA of 3.0 each semester. recently met to discuss Agawam’s with the MSBA that took almost 10 Fund at 16 Union Avenue, Ste. 2K, Recipients are selected on a va- application with MSBA officials. years before a major renovation/ Westfield, MA 01085, no later than riety of criteria, including merit, PLEASE The MSBA will now tour the build- addition project came to fruition. March 15. Applications are avail- financial need, recommendations, ings to assess Agawam’s needs A brand new high school build- able at local high school guidance and community involvement. Of RECYCLE against the other 29 applications ing could cost about $120 million, offices, college financial aid offices, greatest importance is the appli- that are pending. It is not known estimates Mayor William Sapelli, on-line at www.HoraceSmithFund. cant’s personal written account THIS how much funding will be made who was also previously the su- org or by phoning (413) 739-4222. of why they feel deserving of the NEWSPAPER by the MSBA, and what percentage perintendent of schools for several Last year, The Horace Smith award. the Town of Agawam could be on years. the hook for to make renovations

TIES ❚ from page 1 As a teenager, Biden “was a gregarious person – one of he was so invested in the topic, a friend by the name of “Whenever I’d be down there, we’d get together, talk those fellas who got to know everyone and would talk to Charles Del Campo intervened. and go out and do stuff,” said Markel. “One of the things anybody everybody,” said Markel. “Charlie, who now lives in Los Angeles, said, ‘Joe wants we always did, the morning of Thanksgiving, I’d always be Markel recalls that Biden was extremely self-conscious to be President; can’t you understand?,’” Markell recalled. there, and some of the old classmates would meet in a park about his stutter, a speech impairment that he spent “We looked over at Joe. He didn’t say, ‘yes,’ or, ‘no,’ but he in Wilmington and play touch football on Thanksgiving countless hours working to overcome. Mean-spirited stu- had a little bit of a smile on his face. You can tell by his eyes morning until we got too old and fat to do it. We used to dents called Biden “Stutter Head,” although the nickname that clearly that’s something he had been thinking about call it the ‘Toilet Bowl.’” largely disappeared by senior year. and something he wanted to do.” Last year, Markel aspired to become a delegate for the In the process of improving his stutter, outgoing Biden After graduating from Archmere in 1961, Biden studied Democratic National Convention. After contacting Biden’s made a name as a skillful football receiver and eventually at the University of Delaware, graduating in 1965 before office, Markel was given a more prominent role as a mem- became the junior and senior class president at Archmere, earning his law degree from Syracuse University in 1968. ber of the Massachusetts delegation to the Electoral Col- an all-boys Catholic school at the time. Markel then graduated from the University of Notre Dame. lege. Markel describes himself as the “Original ‘Ridin’ with It didn’t take either man long to enter the political field. The title allowed Markel to officially file a ballot for Biden guy”: the future president’s first chauffer. In Markel’s Biden was first elected to the New Castle County Council in Biden to become president; of 11 individuals, Markel was 1950’s Studebaker Lurk, the two friends discussed girls and 1970 and started his own law practice soon after. Markel, a the only Massachusetts elector who was personally en- sports; both students were big Phillies and Eagles fans. political science professor at American International Col- dorsed by Biden. At the Biden residence in New Castle County, Del., many lege in Springfield for 20 years, served seven terms as a On Dec. 14, 2020, Markel entered the House Chamber memories were made, Markel recalled. Springfield City Councilor. in the U.S. Capital building to cast the ballot for Biden. The “In my junior and senior years, I had access to a car and In 1972, Biden was elected as a U.S. Senator at the age of experience was nearly beyond belief. used to drive to school. Every day, I would pick [Biden] up 29. Markel was highly impressed by Biden’s upset victory. “I almost pinched myself saying, ‘Is this really hap- at his house on Wilson Road and drop him off after school,” “[Biden] was the highest ranked Democrat in Delaware pening? Is this guy who I used to hang out with and have said Markel. “His house, in fact, became a bit of a hangout so when it came time to nominate someone to run for the known all my life really becoming the President of the Unit- for seven or eight of us, who were close friends. We’d stay U.S. Senate, he was the obvious choice, and he won in 1972 ed States?’ There’s a certain surreal quality to that, but Joe most of the afternoon, and I’d go home for dinner only after by a rather thin margin. He beat Rep. Senator [Caleb] Boggs is a striver. He doesn’t give up,” said Markel. hanging out at Joe’s house for a couple hours.” in a very Republican state. Clearly, he was on his way,” said So far, Markel said he approves of the job Biden has Biden’s appetite for politics was apparent at an early Markel. done in the Oval Office. Markel is confident that Biden will age. When Biden came up empty-handed in a bid to be- Biden ran unsuccessfully for U.S. President in both 1988 avoid the “angry tweeting at nighttime, personal attacks come Class President at Archmere, his failed attempt car- and 2008 but remained in the U.S. Senate from 1973 un- and so forth that was all part of the Trump era.” ried significant weight. til 2009, when he became Vice President under President Upon becoming president, Biden’s phone number “I know it affected him a lot. He was really unhappy se- Barack Obama. changed and his security increased immensely. To con- nior year when he lost that election to a very close friend of Despite his national success, Biden remained close to tact his longtime friend, Markel now must communicate mine and his, Dave Walsh,” said Markel. “I noticed that this Markel, aiding him in his successful campaign to become through Biden’s sister Valerie, who Markel has also known was a lot more important to him than, perhaps, it would Springfield Mayor in 1992. since high school; the two even went on a New Year’s Eve have been for another high school kid.” “He was very helpful to me when I ran for mayor, as well date in Center City Philadelphia more than a half century Biden’s ambition was only strengthened in the after- as when I ran for city council, raising money, coming to ago. math of being defeated by a peer. Markel said that Biden Springfield. And when I ran for mayor, he came up twice. When all is said and done, regardless of policies or po- took heavily after his mother Catherine, a kindhearted He did a fundraiser for me in Springfield and did one in litical ratings, Biden and Markel will remain good friends. woman, who would often offer the boys dating advice and Boston to help me with the campaign. That’s who he is. In the meantime, Markel is enjoying his friend’s tremen- encourage Biden’s political aspirations. He’s loyal to his friends; never asked me for anything in re- dous success. “We used to sit there in the afternoons, sometimes, and turn,” said Markel. “To have a member of my high school class[become we’d talk to her, and she’d give us advice on what we were Outside of the political realm, Biden and Markel have president], it’s just amazing and astonishing. Plus, I think doing wrong and why our girlfriends didn’t like us or were maintained a healthy friendship for decades. Before Biden he’s doing a good job at this point,” Markel said. angry with us, stuff like that,” Markel said. entered the White House, Markel said that the two would Dalton Zbierski can be reached at dzbierski@turley. One afternoon in the Biden basement, a political con- meet in Delaware five to six times each year, since Markel’s com. versation ensued. As Biden’s classmates inquired as to why parents lived in nearby Philadelphia.

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ANSWERS ❚ from page 1 board that included town managers, administrators and Optimism exists that each member of the retirement other officials from Hampden County communities, in- board will be forced to vacate his or her seat. At the very cluding Wilbraham Town Administrator Nick Breault. least, Davenport believes Theroux must step down imme- During the call, which wasn’t open to the public, Markel diately. expected to “go through the issues one by one and see “You can’t have someone in office who’s going to be what their response is and basically say that things must currently under three investigations. He’ll be the principal change.” of three investigations, as well as some of the board mem- Breault said they’d be asking several questions and re- bers. I think the towns really have to push for his resigna- questing documents from the retirement board. tion or for him to at least step aside.” “We’re very keen to hear what the retirement board As a result of the misappropriated funds, 35 Hampden has to say,” Breault said during Monday night’s Wilbraham County communities must now pay at least 8% more on Board of Selectmen meeting. each assessment until 2036. In Hampden, the assessment There were more than a handful of monetary irregular- increased from $603,000 to $706,000 for 2021, totaling an ities reported in the multi-year audit released last month additional $103,000 this year over last. by Ferax Treuhand AG. Close to $234,000 of taxpayer and “The increases have never been this sizeable; over the state employee money was spent on 119 false invoices for past couple of years, they’ve really been out of control,” said services never rendered, reviewed or documented. Selectman John Flynn on March 1. After violating procedure and making multiple attor- With multiple investigations under way and dozens of neys members of the system, the board paid the two in- communities affected, Markel acknowledged that the situ- ◆ La Cucina di Hampden House dividuals a total of $179,266 in legal fees and $448,210 in ation has “many moving parts.” premiums. While most communities use employee money Given the severity of the allegations, however, Markel 1 Allen Street, Hampden, MA to pay 50% of premiums, municipal employees paid 90% of believes that Hampden stands a fighting chance to reclaim 413-566-8324 the fees of attorneys associated with the retirement board. some of its lost money if the retirement board is found to Three retirement board members also spent a total of be at fault. www.lacucinahampden.com $10,936 on travel, lodging, recreation and entertainment. “The truth is that we do not have power to act. They have CURRENT HOURS: Mon-Thurs 3-8pm; On a trip to Cape Cod, Chairperson Richard Theroux allot- power to act in Boston,” said Markel. “I think that if enough Sat 2-9pm; Sun 2-8pm ted $1,825 to lodging, all while staying in his own condo; employees in the towns of Hampden County, as well as the Theroux repaid the funds last week following the audit’s selectmen and others who have to vote to raise taxes to Lounge open & pizza available 7 days release. pay retirement benefits and assessments make it clear that Multiple board members additionally earned thou- it’s unacceptable, I think public opinion can bring change.” ◆ Route 20 Bar & Grille sands of dollars in social security despite a Massachusetts The demand for change must extend beyond public of- statute that prohibits public employees from collecting so- fice. If retirement board members are to resign, enabling a 2341 Boston Road (The Wilbraham Shops) cial security. new board to take shape and communities to receive po- Wilbraham, MA On Monday, prior to the March 3 call with the retirement tential compensation, residents must force the action. board, Markel spoke with numerous town administrators One article or television broadcast at a time, answers 413-279-2020 and managers from the county, all who have witnessed tax will be attained and justice made plausible, Markel said. www.route20barandgrille.com spikes as a result of the retirement board’s malfeasance. “The press is also important with getting the message CURRENT HOURS: Lunch: Thurs-Sat starting at “Today, we had participation from the far western end out,” said Markel. “It’s fairly complicated. The way it op- of Hampden County, the administrator in Chester. From erates is not easily understood so I think there’s been less 11:30am; Dinner: Tues-Thurs 4-9pm; the far eastern end, we had the administrator from Wales,” interest over the years in doing stories about their oper- Fri & Sat 4-10pm; Sunday 11:30am-7:00pm; said Markel. ations. If there’s enough concern shown throughout the Sunday Brunch 11:30am-2:30pm Upon its release, the audit was immediately given to county, I have a sense that things can change.” state Attorney General Maura Healey, the Mass. State Eth- ics Commission and Inspector General Glenn A. Cunha. ◆ Donovan's Irish Pub Eastfield Mall, 1655 Boston Road, Springfield, MA Criminal Defense 413-543-0791 TRIAL ATTORNEY www.donovanspub.com ATTY ANTHONY C. CURRENT HOURS: Thurs-Sat 11am-9pm; Sun 9am-7pm; Sunday breakfast 9am - noon BONAVITA 413-537-4168 ◆ Venice Pizza & Grill 1380 Main St., Suite 410 2341 Boston Road, The Wilbraham Shops Springfield, MA Wilbraham, MA Se Habla Español Pregunta por Marisol 413-540-8080 www.venicepizzagrill.com CHECK OUT ALL THE OPEN: Tues-Thurs 10:45am-9:30pm Fri & Sat 10:45am -10pm; Sun 11am-9pm TurleyPublications Closed Monday www.turley.com Page 4 ❙ AGAWAM ADVERTISER NEWS ❙ March 4, 2021 Opinion OUR VIEW Here’s a return to normalcy:

It’s tax time! PHONE February is drawing to a close and that 413.283.8393 means it’s time to turn the page to no one’s fa- Fax: 413.283.7107 vorite subject – taxes. Subscriptions: 800.824.6548 Some well-organized residents no doubt have already filed their federal and state re- EMAIL turns in time for the first day of processing, Advertising Sales which was about two weeks ago. The rest of us John Baskin have until April 15. Take note of that date, be- [email protected] cause unless the U.S. Treasury Department or Interim Editor Mass. Dept. of Revenue make an unexpected Gregory Scibellli change, the extended July deadline offered last [email protected] year because of the pandemic is no longer an option. Subscriptions Hey, we’ve all been wishing for a return to [email protected] normalcy, right? Maybe not exactly what you $35 per year pre-paid had in mind, but it might make you feel better ($40 out of state) to consider this a step in the direction of life in Newsstand $1.00 a post-pandemic world. Whether you prepare your returns your- WEB self, pay an accountant or other professional, SOCIAL SECURITY MATTERS www.agawamadvertiser or have a friend or relative handle your tax fil- news.turley.com ing, here are a few tips that could make this Should I put in for Social Security now, or at 70? @ Agawam Advertiser annual rite a little easier and perhaps help News save you money: By Russell Gloor should die before your wife and she has reached First and foremost, get organized. Dust off The Agawam Advertiser News Guest columnist her full retirement age, your wife will get 100% of is published by your copy of last year’s return. If you don’t have the benefit you are receiving at your death. If you Turley Publications, Inc. • www.turley.com it and can’t get a copy from your preparer, you Dear Rusty: I’m currently 67-years-old and claim earlier (e.g., now), your wife will get that can order it from the IRS. If you used one of the still working full time. I took a big financial hit in earlier smaller amount as your widow. Compare many online tax prep software programs, it’s 2008, which is why I’m still working, and I expect that to what she’ll get by you waiting until age likely archived there. to continue working until I’m 70. My question is: 70 to claim, when your benefit will be about 24% LETTERS TO THE ED- Gather all of your tax-related documents should I take Social Security now, bank it until more than it is now. Again, something for you to ITOR must include a such as W-2s, 1099s, and other forms you need I’m 70, and then pay it out to myself upon retire- consider. name, address, and day- to prove the income you earned, including ment? Or would it be better to hold off until I’m If you claim at age 70 you will have collected time telephone number Social Security, pension payments, and un- 70 to claim? Longevity of about 85 seems to run about the same amount of money at age 82 as if for author verification employment benefits, and any withholding in my family. you had claimed now. That is your “breakeven” purposes. We do not pub- you selected (give yourself a pat on the back if Signed: Working Senior point, which is where your expected longevity lish anonymous letters. you had taxes withheld from the latter two be- comes into play. If you think you will beat the All letters are subject to cause chances are you’ll get a bigger refund). Dear Working Senior: I’m afraid there’s no average and you do, you’ll collect much more editing for content and If you received federal stimulus payments simple answer to your question, but I’ll give you in total lifetime Social Security benefits by wait- length. The deadline is (either one or both issued in 2020), the good some points to ponder. ing until you are 70 to claim. Of course, no one Monday at noon. Please news is they are not counted as taxable in- If you don’t need the money right now, and knows how long they will live, but if your fami- send letters to Agawam come. However, if you received less than the you expect to enjoy at least average longevity ly history suggests a long life and you’re in good Advertiser News, care of full amount in either or both of the two rounds (about 85 for a man your current age), then wait- health now, delaying is usually a prudent choice. Turley Publications Inc., of stimulus, that could impact your 2020 re- ing until you’re 70 will give you the maximum That is, however, a decision only you can make. 24 Water St., Palmer, MA turn, so you’ll want to able to reference that monthly benefit and the most in cumulative life- This article is intended for information pur- 01069, or e-mail aan@ information. time Social Security benefits if you meet average poses only and does not represent legal or fi- turley.com. Did you keep all your receipts for charita- longevity. And if you live beyond the average, nancial guidance. It presents the opinions and ble contributions, work expenses eligible for your cumulative lifetime benefits will be corre- interpretations of the AMAC Foundation’s staff, deductions, and the miles you logged on your spondingly more. Since you’ve already delayed trained and accredited by the National Social vehicle for work? If yes, give yourself another past your full retirement age of 66, you are al- Security Association. NSSA and the AMAC pat on the back. If not, you might want to in- ready earning delayed retirement credits (DRCs) Foundation and its staff are not affiliated with vest some time in getting that together. Doc- AGAWAM at the rate of 8% for each full year you delay (the or endorsed by the Social Security Administra- ADVERTISER NEWS umentation of student loan interest paid last maximum Social Security benefit is reached at tion or any other governmental entity. To submit year and any debt that was charged off trans- The Agawam Advertiser News age 70. a question, visit our website (amacfoundation. (USPS 001-170) is published every late into credits and liabilities, too, so you’ll Can you do better than an 8% annual in- org/programs/social-security-advisory) or email Thursday by Turley Publications, want that at your fingertips. Inc., 24 Water St., Palmer, Mass. crease by claiming now and saving or investing us at [email protected]. This is just a starter list. To get a compre- 01069. Telephone (413) 283-8393, the money? That would be the main point to hensive checklist of everything you’ll need to Fax (413) 289-1977. evaluate, and only you know your investment Russell Gloor is a Social Security advisor at POSTMASTER: Send address be ready for tax return preparation, go to irs. options. But you should also consider that if you AMAC. changes to Turley Publications, Inc., gov or contact your tax prep professional. 24 Water St., Palmer, Mass. 01069. We have a resource for you that many might PATRICK H. TURLEY be surprised to learn about — AARP. Did you CEO know the AARP TaxAide program provides Free tax assistance offered through VITA program KEITH TURLEY IRS-trained volunteers to prepare returns for President SPRINGFIELD – Springfield Partner for participants to safely drop-off all required tax anyone who asks? Free of charge. This is NOT INTERIM EDITOR Community Action is gearing up for the annual documents in advance. Volunteer tax preparers limited to AARP members or even seniors Greg Scibellli free Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program will complete and follow up. Completed taxes [email protected] in general. Taxpayers of any age can use this (VITA). Income eligible taxpayers earning less will be mailed or we can arrange for pickups”. STAFF WRITER valuable service. They even handle returns for than $57,000 annually qualify and should call Springfield Partners also offer the Low-In- Shelby Macri eligible small businesses. The only limitation 413- 263-6500 to schedule an appointment. come Taxpayer Clinic (LITC) designed to assist [email protected] is this program is intended for those in the Peter Spotts VITA volunteers assist low wage earners taxpayers having issues before the IRS and/or middle-income bracket and lower. There is an [email protected] complete their 2020 federal and state income the State Department of Revenue. If you’ve re- income ceiling and those who exceed it are ADVERTISING SALES tax returns in addition to the earned income tax ceived a notice form either state of federal tax John Baskin not likely eligible for the service. credits, child tax credit and education credits. authority or if you need to file prior year taxes [email protected] For everyone else, it’s a well-regarded ser- Further making sure taxpayer claim and receive you should call Mary Ellen at 413-263-6500 ext. SPORTS EDITOR vice that includes e-filing (which you want; It all state and federal tax benefits, including the 6565 or Marty O’Connor at 413-263-6500 ext. Greg Scibelli means faster processing and less time to get a [email protected] Federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). EITC 6566. refund if you’re due one). AARP suspended this SOCIAL MEDIA is a federal income tax benefit designed to assist Springfield Partners is the official anti-pov- program just about a year ago in response to working families. It has been called the most erty agency serving greater Springfield and the pandemic because the service was provid- significant federal program of lofting Americans parts of Western MA. We offer several programs @AgawamAdvertiserNews ed in-person at libraries, senior centers and out of poverty. and services including Eviction Clinic, Housing other public facilities. Since then, they have WEB Paul F. Bailey, executive director, said, “al- Counseling, Credit Counseling, Financial Litera- www.agawamadvertisernews.turley.com had time to plan and adjust and AARP Tax- though we are closed to the public, the agency cy, Weatherization, Veterans Services, Emergen- Aide now offers drop-off and virtual service continues to assist participants. “This year due cy Fuel, New Beginnings Early Education & Care, using secure servers that protect your Social to COVID-19 we are implementing a new system COVID-19 Emergency Response, Scholarships Security number and other vital personal in- using a drop box method. Drop box will allow and Telephone Reassurance. formation. www.turley.com There are some in-person appointments, Turley Publications, Inc. cannot but none in our immediate area. For all the in- assume liability for the loss of formation about that program, go to taxaide. photographs or other materials submitted for publication. aarpfoundation.org. Follow Us On Materials will not be returned So, are you ready to “render unto Caesar?” except upon specific request If not, make it a priority. April 15 will be here www.facebook.com/ AgawamAdvertiserNews when submitted. before you know it. March 4, 2021 ❙ AGAWAM ADVERTISER NEWS ❙ Page 5 Fire department awarded FEMA grant Lions make donation to APL BOSTON – The Federal Emergency AFG-S funds must be awarded to volunteer The Agawam Lions Foundation, Inc. do- 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Management Agency (FEMA) announced fire departments and another 25 percent nated new diabetes text resources to the A diabetes diagnosis can be over- today $3.9 million in direct assistance must be awarded to combination fire de- Children’s Library at the Agawam Public whelming and in some cases, life changing grants to 288 volunteer and combination partments. The funding being announced Library on Saturday, Feb. 27. for children, teens, and families. It is our fire departments nationwide through the today encompasses the fulfillment of that This donation is part of the Agawam Li- hope that by donating these materials, we agency’s FY2020 Assistance to Firefighters requirement to volunteer and combination ons’ ongoing focus on diabetes education, can help those in our community that are Grant COVID-19 Supplemental program fire departments. A volunteer fire depart- awareness, and support to our Agawam affected by diabetes find relevant and cur- (AFG-S). ment means a fire department that has an community. The diabetes text resources in- rent information in a format that is relat- The AFG-S Program includes grants to all-volunteer force of firefighting person- clude materials for young children, teens, able and helpful. the following fire departments in Massa- nel. A combination fire department means and parent/caregivers and cover both Type chusetts: a fire department that has paid firefighting Agawam, MA- Agawam Fire Depart- personnel and volunteer firefighting per- ment- $2,272 sonnel. Fire departments which pay fees/ Authorized and funded through the stipends (paid on-call firefighters) are also Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Se- considered under this category. curity (CARES) Act, the Fiscal Year 2020 FEMA obligates funding for this project Assistance to Firefighters Grant COVID-19 directly to the recipient fire department. It Supplemental (AFG-S) is a $100 million is the recipient’s responsibility to manage supplemental funding opportunity to sup- their grant award within federal guidelines port the purchase of personal protective with technical assistance and monitoring equipment (PPE) and related disinfectant provided by FEMA Fire Program Special- supplies and equipment to help the fire ists. Additional information about FEMA’s services prevent, prepare for and respond Assistance to Firefighters grant programs to the COVID-19 pandemic. may be found at https://www.fema.gov/ By law, 25 percent of the available firegrants. Gift shop open Turley Publications limited hours wants to hear from you REGION – Everyone uses different tools AGAWAM – The Vine and Branches Gift to get the news. Shop will continue to be open on Tuesday At Turley Publications, we strive to and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and reach all our readers. In that effort, we have Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. We created an online survey to learn about would like to thank everyone for their pa- how our readers get their news. Please tronage during these difficult times and we complete this survey to educate us on will continue to pray for health, peace and how we can best reach you, the reader. The strength as we all journey through 2021 to- 10-question survey takes about two min- gether. You may contact our Pastoral Min- utes to complete online. The survey can ister Deb Briancesco RN at 413-786-8200 be found at https://www.surveymonkey. ext.3 with any questions or concerns. com/r/DBSJ69F. Thank you. The Agawam Lions Foundation, Inc. donated new diabetes text resources to the Children’s Library at the Agawam Public Library on Saturday, Feb. 27. Pictured are (left) Children’s Librarian, Pamela Weingart and Monday Madness kicks off March (right) Agawam Lions President, Deb Andrews. SUBMITTED PHOTO at the Agawam Library AGAWAM – The month of March is laptops and mobile devices. Instructions getting started with Monday Madness for each of these options are listed on our at the Agawam Library. Throughout the website: https://www.agawamlibrary.org/ month, we will be hosting Monday night about-2/services/ Print jobs can be picked virtual games for individuals and families. up at the Reference Desk on the lower level Games like Trivia and Bingo will be offered where the librarians are happy to answer on Zoom on March, 8, 22 and 29 at 7 p.m. questions. Monday, March 8: BINGO The Agawam Library is pleased to have Monday, March 22: Online Scattergories been chosen as the March recipient of the Monday, March 29: Kahoot Famous People Stop & Shop Community Bag Program. The Trivia library will receive a $1 donation from each All games will be held on Zoom. A sec- purchase of the reusable Community Bag ondary device (phone or tablet) will be at the Feeding Hills Stop & Shop. needed for trivia nights so that participants The library continues to offer services 6 can submit their answers. The content days a week. Grab & Go Services are avail- of the games is suggested for grade 5 and able Monday-Saturday. Forty-five minute above. Registration is required, as there is Computer Use and Browsing appointments limited space. Please visit www.agawamli- are available Tuesday, Thursday and Satur- brary.org to register. day. Please call to make an appointment: Patrons will now have the option of 413-789-1550. Library staff are in the build- mobile printing at the library. Mobile us- ing 6 days a week to answer your questions ers can visit our online printer portal or and take your reading requests. download the PrinterOn app to print from

Consignment shop holding annual bag sale CLUES ACROSS 39. Digits (abbr.) (abbr.) 1. One of Noah’s sons 41. Expression of 5. Acting as if you are 37. Capital of Senegal AGAWAM – The Trading Post Con- many other things will be half price. This 5. Openings sympathy 6. Affirmative 38. Slang for military signment Shop located at the First Bap- will include books, CD’s/DVD’s/VHS, jewel- tist Church of Agawam, 760 Main Street, ry and select household/gift pieces. 11. Rising from the 42. Bleats 7. Not caps leader Agawam will be holding its popular $5 bag For customers who wish to either do- dead 44. Swiss Nobel 8. Type of medication 40. Football’s big sale starting Wednesday, Feb. 24 through nate or offer clothing for consignment, we 14. Expressions for Peace Prize 9. Monetary unit game Wednesday March 10, including Saturday, are now accepting spring and summer only. humorous effect winner 10. Private school in 43. Women who threw Mar. 6. This sale is held a few times each Our hours of operation are Wednesdays, 15. North American 46. Vegetable New York themselves on year to help clear out inventory of seasonal 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the first Saturday of country 47. Turf 12. Small stream funeral pyres clothing to make room for the next seasons each month, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. We hope to 18. Flowed over 49. Disorganized in 13. A person of wealth 45. Equally items. see you. 19. Tags character 16. Exclude 48. Forest animal Just buy a bag for $5 and fill it with as For future news and information, please 21. Long-lasting light 52. Takes 17. Someone who 50. Heavy stoves many designated adult and children sized visit our The Trading Post Consignment bulb 56. Rules over vouches for you 51. Releasing winter clothing articles as you can. Some Shop Facebook page or follow us on Insta- 23. Off-Broadway 58. More fervid 20. Vegetable part hormone (abbr.) handbags, hats, scarves and shoes will also gram @fbctradingpost. theater award 60. Sweet drink 22. Gov’t lawyer 53. Song be part of the stuff a bag sale. In addition, 24. Khoikhoi peoples 62. Cry loudly 25. Term to address a 54. Type of pickle 28. Beloved movie pig 63. A friendly nation woman 55. Offer in return for Eucharistic Adoration 29. South Dakota 26. Swiss river money Openings now available 30. Tai language CLUES DOWN 27. About senator 57. Soviet Socialist 32. Get free of 1. A title of respect in 29. __ Paulo, city Republic at St. John’s for the CPA Committee 33. Afflict India 31. Native American 58. Burns wood AGAWAM – All are welcome and invited AGAWAM – Please be advised that 35. Transmits genetic 2. His and __ tribe (abbr.) to join us at St. John the Evangelist Church, there are two openings effective April 30 information from 3. Employee stock 34. “Titanic” actor 59. Beloved singer 833 Main Street, for Eucharistic Adoration, for the Agawam Community Preservation DNA ownership plan 36. Campaign for Charles Wednesdays, 12 noon to 5:45 p.m. with Act Committee. Interested parties should 36. Commercials 4. A type of bond students’ rights 61. Three-toed sloth Holy Mass at 6:00 p.m. Come and spend contact Barbara Bard in the Agawam City some time in quiet prayer with our Lord Je- Council office as soon as possible at (413) sus Christ, present in the Eucharist. 726-9716 or email at [email protected] Page 6 ❙ AGAWAM ADVERTISER NEWS ❙ March 4, 2021 Schools & Youth Agawam High School Counseling Bulletin Reminders: it is important to take advantage of these eration will be given to both the merit and experience, a demonstrated interest in ad- Scheduling for the 2021-2022 school year programs to learn as much as you can about financial need of the applicant. Please see vertising, communications, marketing or is just around the corner! Students should the schools that are of interest to you. horacesmithfund.org for details. The appli- graphic design, personal recommendations, be on the lookout for an email that was cation deadline is March 15. and a letter of introduction outlining future sent to their APS account. We are excited to $cholarship Information: The Professional Women in Construc- plans. More information is available at ad- move this process fully online this year! See your counselor or visit the websites tion (PWC) – CT Chapter is pleased to of- clubwm.org All students should be checking their below for more information or an applica- fer multiple scholarships to students (male The Pascal A. Deliso Scholarship is of- Naviance accounts on a regular basis. There tion. or female) enrolled in undergraduate or fered to students with distinguished aca- is so much valuable information for all stu- The Department of Higher Education (in graduate degree programs in Construction, demic ability, regular involvement in com- dents, whether you’re headed directly into partnership with EOHHS and the Unaccom- Construction Management, Interior Design, munity service, commitment to the Roman the work force, the military, or college upon panied Homeless Youth Commission) will Architecture, Landscape Design, or Civil, Catholic faith, one parent of Italian descent, graduation from AHS. If you can’t access be offering the Moving to College Housing Mechanical, Structural, and Electrical En- and have an acceptance to an accredited your account, please be in touch with your Scholarship. This scholarship will include gineering. The students must be enrolled two- or four-year college or university. Ap- School Counselor. year-round, on-campus housing, a meal full-time for the complete year. The appli- plications are available in Naviance and Open Houses/Informational plan and case management (it does NOT cation is available at pwcusa.org/chapters/ must be submitted by April 1. Sessions/Discovery Days: cover the cost of tuition, books or transpor- about-connecticut/connecticut-scholar- Student registration is now open for the tation) for students who enroll in a full-time ship/ and is due no later than March 17. NEACAC Spring College Fairs, which will in a degree-seeking program at one of the Seniors who attended the James Clark be held on the following dates and times: participating colleges: Berkshire Commu- School (two-year minimum) are encouraged Participate in virtual Sunday, March 14 from 1 to 3 p.m.; Wednes- nity College, Mass College of Liberal Arts, to apply for the James Clark PTO Scholarship. day, April 14 from 7 to 8:30 p.m., and Sun- Massachusetts Bay Community College, Applications are available in Naviance and photograph show day, May 16 from 1 to 3 p.m. To date, there Framingham State University, Mt. Wachu- are due no later than March 29. AGAWAM – Please join us online are over 170 colleges that are registered to sett Community College, Fitchburg State The Rebekah Assembly of Massachusetts to participate in our first virtual pho- participate in the program. Registration for University, North Shore Community College is offering a scholarship of $1000 to qualified students and school counselors is required, and Salem State University. To be eligible, seniors who plan to further their education tography show. Since we couldn’t do but free of charge. Please visit: neacac.swoo- students must have experienced unaccom- by attending a two or four-year college pro- our usual exhibit at the library, we go.com/NEACACVirtual_Spring to register. panied youth homelessness, be a US citizen gram. Applications are available in Naviance moved it online so we can continue to The National Association of College Ad- or permanent resident/green card holder, and are due by March 30. share outstanding photography with mission Counseling will be hosting Focus and meet income limits. More information The Agawam Municipal Scholarship is our community, and to support our Fairs designed especially for students with and the application can be found here: available to graduating high school seniors beloved library. Officially, this is our special interests or residing in specific re- doe.mass.edu/sfs/edstability/mtc.html. or any persons pursuing their education be- First Open Virtual Photography Show. gions: STEM (March 7), Performing & Visual Please note that applications are due by yond secondary school. The committee shall Categories include creative, nature, Arts (March 16), Western US (April 10), and March 1. take into consideration each recipient’s fi- pictorial, and photojournalism, and Southeastern US (April 20). Students may The William R. Rooney Scholarship is nancial need, character, scholastic record, the photography never disappoints. register at virtualcollegefairs.org available to residents of Hampden County and involvement in school and community. Awards totaling $1,340 have been Whether you’ve already started your col- who are members of the senior class and The applications deadline is March 31. determined by our esteemed judges lege search or have no idea where to begin, have been on an IEP or 504 Plan for two Western Massachusetts seniors who Amy S. Dane and Barbara Krawczyk, BigFuture Days will give you a chance to get years. Please visit horacesmithfund.org for plan to attend an accredited college or both highly respected photographers. information about multiple colleges from an application. The application deadline is technical school to study advertising, com- Their comments are available online, college admissions officers and current col- March 15. munications, marketing or graphics arts along with the photographs, so the lege students. The program for the North- The Walter S. Barr Scholarship is avail- and will be attending in September 2021 Show can continue to be an educa- east will be held on Sunday, March 7. Please able to residents to Hampden County who are encouraged to apply for the scholarship tional experience for participants. visit cb.org/bigfuturedays to register. are members of the senior class at their offered by The Advertising Club of Western The show can be accessed at Colleges and universities will be host- local public or private secondary schools. Massachusetts. Applications are available www.agawamlibrary.org/about-2/ ing information and recruitment events, Awards will be made on the basis of all at adclubwm.org and must be postmarked friends/#FriendsPhotoShowFirstVir- in a variety of formats, in the next couple available information, including school re- on or before March 31. The scholarship tual. For further information please of months. Check the colleges’ websites for cords, recommendations and examination must be applied against tuition and fees at contact Bob Kadis at more information and to confirm the date scores. Awards will be continued through the school. Candidates will be judged on [email protected] or at 413-789- and time of the event. While campus visits the four year course if the student’s record academic performance, extracurricular 4814. may look and feel different during this time, and need justify such continuance. Consid- activities, community service and/or work

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Call Today To Advertise In The Spring Home Supplement Call Today to Advertise 413.283.8393 in the Spring Bridal Guide ADVERTISING DEADLINE IS MARCH 17 413.283.8393 March 4, 2021 ❙ AGAWAM ADVERTISER NEWS ❙ Page 7 Schools & Youth Agawam Public Library announces March activities Agawam Junior High School honor roll Programs and activities for kids and teens: Request a book bundle by going to: https://bit. Mar. 8 to 12 ly/38FtSMT AGAWAM – Agawam Junior High School has announced its honor roll Book bundles For all ages for the second term of the 2020-2021 school year. Are you stuck in a reading rut? Would you like Krafty Kids: 3D Rainbow Fun For ages 3-5 Grade 7 to try some new authors, or learn something new? Children in preschool can follow Ms. Rose as she We will choose books for you based on your an- takes you through the steps to make a colorful rain- Jordin Agosto, Jason Albro, Anthony Amato, Dawood Atanane, Ab- swers to some quick questions. bow craft. dul-Kateem Awkal, Cecelia Baldyga, Maddie Balzano, Anthony Barbari- Request a book bundle by going to: https://bit. The video will be posted at https://www.agawam- ni, Samuel Beckwith, Brady Blanchette, Andrew Boucher, Hope Bradlee, ly/38FtSMT library.org/children/ on Mar. 22. Maximillian Bradlee, Jace Brogan, Abigail Brown, Nicholas Brown, Ruslan Limited supplies of the craft will be available be- Bubuza, Noah Bushnik, Carlina Calabrese, Donna Carrier, Maggie Carrier, Krafty Kids: Glittery Pot of Gold Craft Kit ginning Mar. 22 by calling 413-789-1550 ext. 3. James Cascio, Aidan Cauley, Vincy Cheung, Dominic Chriscola, Diane Cir- For ages 3-5 costa-Aspinall, Chloe Clark, Heidi Clarke, Thomas Connery, Dharbi Cooper, Preschool children can make a make their own Krafty Kids: 3D Paper Flowers For grades 1-4 Liam Curley, Cameron DePratti, Jaden Diaz, pot of gold and can hang it up as part of their home Students in grades 1-4 can follow Ms Susan as Aaron Doncell Acuna, Omar Elgendy, Brayden Federico, Eva Feuerstein, décor for good luck. she takes you through the steps to make simple 3D Lucas Fillion, Megan Fitzgerald, Alison Fox, Sydney Frasier, Abigale Gag- Limited supplies of this craft will be available be- paper flowers for spring. non, Brady Gagnon, Kayleigh Garvey, Chase Gerani, Tyler Gervais, Evelyn ginning Mar. 8 by calling 413-789-1550 ext. 3. The video will be posted at https://www.agawam- Gionfriddo, Juliana Giordano, Connor Glynn, Avery Gordon, Liam Grealis, library.org/children/ on Mar. 22. Gabriella Grechka, Aiden Guzman, Ryan Haglund, Austin Hamberg, Coo- Krafty Kids: Shamrock String Art For grades 1-4 Limited supplies of the craft will be available be- per Hermans, Brody Hollister, Andrew Holton, Cole Ingham, Nadia Izoita, Make Shamrock string art! Once completed, you ginning Mar. 22 by calling 413-789-1550 ext. 3. Shreya Jha, Juliet Johnson, Patrick Keating, Zoe Kellogg-Brodeur, Nolan will have a seasonal accent you can hang in your King, Sarah Kriebel, Angelina Kripakova, Isabella Laprise, Sophia Laprise, room as bedroom décor on the luckiest day of the Krafty Kids: Paper Hyacinth Flower Matilda Larochelle, Mia Laudato, Aiden Lavelle, year. For grades 5-12 Marissa Leary, Jason Liacos, Nolan Longo, Kiley Lukas, Kayla Lukin, Mi- Limited supplies of this craft will be available be- Students in grades 5 to 12 can follow Ms Pamela chael Lukomski, Finnola Mahoney, Alison Majkowski, Payton Malanson, ginning Mar. 8 by calling 413-789-1550 ext. 3. as she takes you through the steps to make hyacinth Kaitlyn Maloney, Chloe McCarthy, paper flowers for spring. Brandon Metras, Arianna Michaelis, Neve Mickiewicz, Trevor Midu- Krafty Kids: Luck of the Irish Bracelet For grades The video will be posted at https://www.agawam- ra, Eva Montagna, Daniel Morgun, Keira Murphy, Hannah Newsome, Al- 5-12 library.org/children/ on Mar. 22. exander Nguyen, Hannah Nguyen, Joey Nguyen, Isabella Novak, Zachary Make a lucky Irish bracelet to keep for yourself Limited supplies of the craft will be available be- O’Connor, Destiny Ortiz, Emily Paquette, Jazlyn Phommachanh, Thom- or to give as a gift. This shamrock accessory is a fun ginning Mar. 22 by calling 413-789-1550 ext. 3. as Poulin, Milana Radionova, Jayden Ramos, Sophia Raymond, Madison addition to jewelry supplies and will complete just Rios, JanaRose Robbins, Henry Rondeau, Timothy Rua, Jason Ruge, Daniel about any outfit on St. Patrick’s Day. March Madness: Scattergories Ruha, Daniel Saeed, Tyler Saroglou, Maxim Savonin, Katelyn Scott, Sofia Limited supplies of this craft will be available be- For individuals and families Shevchuk, Timothy Sholopa, Giuliana Silva, Ethan Stack, Andrea Sypek, Lil- ginning Mar. 8 by calling 413-789-1550 ext. 3. Come play a fun game of Scattergories. This pro- ly Teixeira, Aiden Therrien, Jayden Tonelli, Caroline Toto, Domenic Touri- gram is ideal for individuals in grade 5 and older or gny, Ella Ukrainets, Olivia Unglaub, Toni Vassallo, Terceira Vaughn, Ayden March Madness: BINGO families who work together. Vrijenhoek, Josiah Wyner, David Zhmaidziak For individuals and families Monday, Mar. 22 at 7 p.m. Registration is re- Grade 8 Come play a fun game of BINGO. This program quired. is ideal for individuals in grade 5 and older or fami- The winners will get a small prize, and bragging David Abramchuk, Mariah Aponte, Landon Ashford, Mattias Barbour, lies who work together. rights. Leah Barker, Arianna Bashinskiy, Alyssa Beaver, Kyra Benard, Shayna Ben- Monday, Mar. 8 at 7 p.m. Registration is required. nett, Meghan Berthiaume, Jolene Bertone-Gross, Lucas Blackak, Tanner Mar. 29 to Apr 2 Blake, Joseph Bonci, Gabriella Bouchard, Lillianna Bruneau, Alivia Cal- Participants will participate in a Zoom format to Book bundles – For all ages vanese, Sofia Calvanese, Autumn Carmen, Vincent Catelotti, Lucy Chivers, hear the numbers called and will need a second de- Are you stuck in a reading rut? Would you like Leah Chobotaru, Katelyn Cleavall, Evan Connery, Gabriela Cosentini, John vice to use to mark their online BINGO cards. to try some new authors, or learn something new? Cote, Riley Cross, Joseph Culhane, Eric Daris, Samantha Dean, Shane De- The winners will get a small prize, and bragging We will choose books for you based on your an- filipi, Aiden DeForge, Ashley DeForge, Trevor Del Barba, Allison Deveno, rights. swers to some quick questions. Joseph Donovan, Kyle Douglas, Abigail Drumm, Shaun Dwyer, David Dz- Request a book bundle by going to: https://bit. henzherukha, Ava Elias, Hannah Emmons, Alexandra Fillion, Nicholas Fon- Spring Decorating Contest For kids of all ages ly/38FtSMT taine, Tegan Fullam, Juliana Garcia, Emma Gendron, EmmaAnn Gilbert, Collect spring decorating supplies beginning on Nadine Gilbert, Jonathan Gingeruha, Emily Gonzalez, Jayden Gonzalez, Mar. 8. March Madness: Famous people trivia Hailey Goulet, Vivian Gouvin, Emma Grabiec, Natalie Hall, Lucille Hildreth, Make a spring creation, send us a picture of For individuals and families Marybeth Hinshaw, Maxwell Holloway, Sebastian Howard, Margaret Ire- your finished project before Mar. 26, at Agawam- Test your knowledge of Famous People Trivia land, Faith Jodoin, Riley Jorgensen, Ryan Kenny, Emma LaCaresse, Kaitlyn [email protected] for a chance to win a with a fun trivia game using Kahoot. This program LaFrance, Angelina Lavrenchuk, Max Leverson, Vincenzo Liquori, Jonathan small prize! is ideal for individuals in grade 5 and older or fami- Lopez, Ava Machado, Noah Manale, Brianna Manes, Kaitlyn Mansur, Noella Winners in four age groups, pre-K, K-4, 5-8 and lies who work together. Marsh, Alivia McKay, Erin McLaughlin, Kaylie Menard, Elina Michelakis, 9-12 will be announced on Mar. 29. Monday, Mar. 29 at 7 p.m. Registration is re- Colby Mikuszewski, Marlee Montagna, Vincent Montagna, Bryan Moore, Stay-at-home Storytime For ages 3-5 quired. Grace Moriarty, Ahminah Murchison, Ahmiyah Murchison, Michael Natale, Let’s explore dinosaurs! Miss Susan will share Participants will view the questions in a Zoom Arianna Nivar, Jayden Njonge, Victoria Okyere, Isabella Oliveira, Madison some dinosaur stories and a simple craft on video format and will need a second device to use to sub- Oyler, Joseph Parent, Hannah Parker, Caleb Phillips, Addison Quenneville, beginning on Mar. 8. mit their answers. Makenzie Richard, April Rider, Lucas Ritson, Christina Ritter, Adam Ross, The video will be posted at https://www.agawam- The winners will get a small prize, and bragging Yusuf Sarhan, Lisa Schneider, Nazar Sereda, Gavin Shlosser, Michael Sibil- library.org/children/ starting Mar. 8. rights. ia, Bryson Smith, Isabella Spaulding, Kathryn Szabla, Melih Tomak, Kaylee Limited supplies of the craft will be available be- Vezina, Rian Villareal, Salvatore Vivenzio, Nikita Vorobey, Caleb White, ginning Mar. 8 by calling 413-789-1550 ext. 3. Genevieve White, Konnor Widmer, John Yi, Arda Yilmaz, Anna Zhao

Mar. 15 to 19 Book Bundles For all ages Are you stuck in a read- ing rut? Would you like to Affordable Dentistry try some new authors, or Call us for immediate relief! learn something new? We are here to help... We will choose books for you based on your answers to some quick questions. Michael J. Calabrese, D.M.D. M.A.G.D Request a book bundle by going to: https://bit. QualityQuality Products Products at Affordable at Affordable Prices Prices ly/38FtSMT 300 Main300 St., Main Agawam, St., Agawam, MA 789-2074 MA 789-2074 786-0555 OPEN: TOPEN:ues., W Ted.,ues., Sat. Wed., 9am-5pm Sat. 9am-5pm Songs & Signs – For babies Thurs., Fri.Thurs., 9am-8pm; Fri. 9am-8pm; CLOSED CLOSED SUN. & SUN.MON. & MON. & their caregivers budgetcabinetsales.combudgetcabinetsales.com We gladly accept and • Invisalign Enjoy a short video of process your insurance Ms. Pamela singing songs and teaching some basic for you Interest-free sign language for babies financing available • Implants and their caregivers. The video will be posted at https://www.agawamli- • Root Canals brary.org/children/ on Mar. New Patients 15. Welcome! Mar. 22 to 26 Book bundles • Crown & Bridgework For all ages Are you stuck in a read- ing rut? Would you like to 850 Springfield Street, • Cosmetic Dentistry try some new authors, or learn something new? Suite 2 We will choose books for • Extractions you based on your answers Feeding Hills, MA 01030 to some quick questions. Page 8 ❙ AGAWAM ADVERTISER NEWS ❙ March 4, 2021

@turleysports www.turleysports.com acebook.com/turleysports SPORTS BASKETBALL Girls basketball concludes successful winter season

AGAWAM – The Aga- wam High School girls bas- ketball team was able to en- gage in a very robust winter schedule that included 12 games. The Brownies faced West Springfield, West- field, Ludlow, Pope Francis, Gianna Smith reaches over her opponents Delaney Brown makes her way down the court. and even had a late-season for a shot. matchup against Ware, go- ing 6-6 for the season.

Stephanie Maloni heads up for the layup. PHOTOS BY DAVID HENRY WWW.SWEETDOG- Jazmin Dunbar gets the easy shot. Grace Frasier attempts the three-pointer. PHOTOS.COM

BASKETBALL WRESTLING More racers gearing up for modified series Wrestling still not cleared for SEEKONK – When the Tri Track Open Modified Series sea- competitions as spring looms son takes the green flag on May 1 By Gregory A. Scibelli during the next three weeks. Due at Monadnock Speedway, the field [email protected] to the close contact involved in will be stacked full of talent. One football, the EEA will be looking of the talented stars is rising New REGION – In an effort to fit ev- at the sport to compare it to the Hampshire racer Matthew Kim- ery sport into the modified high close contact that will occur in ball, who is a former Mini Stock school seasons, the Massachu- wrestling. Spring sports are set to champion and currently a com- setts Interscholastic Athletic As- begin in late April, early May. petitor in the Sportsman Modi- sociation decided to move wres- According to the minute of the fied division at multiple tracks in tling from the winter to the spring committee meeting, if the EEA the Granite State. season. With football occurring makes the decision to move wres- Kimball, who does have limit- during the Fall 2 season, it was de- tling into the level 3 status, then ed starts with Tri Track, is hoping cided wrestling should take place modifications for the sport will to be able to run the entire six-race during the spring. be presented for approval by the slate in 2021. His most important However, at a recent meeting MIAA. Matt Kimball is another hopeful to win the Tri Track this year. SUBMITTED PHOTO goal will be to be consistent, learn of MIAA Wrestling Committee, it In addition to observation of more about the Tour-Type Modi- was announced the Office of En- football, the status of vaccination fieds, and come home with solid “It’s always good to try and like to finish top-10 in the Tri ergy and Environmental Affairs in the Commonwealth will also top-10 finishes. He also plans to get your name out there and this Track points.” had still not cleared the sport play into the lifting of restrictions compete full-time at Monadnock is a great opportunity to do that,” Kimball, who won the Mini of wrestling for Level 3 activity, at the state level. It was recently in the Apex Racing No. 11 in the Kimball said. “We want to win Stock title at Monadnock in 2018, which allows for competitions to announced large sports venues track’s Sportsman Modifieds and races, but we are going to go race- started his career in go-karts, and occur. If wrestling is not allowed like Fenway Park would be al- hopes to chase the NASCAR Divi- by-race, and see what the sched- moved to the Mini Stocks at the to have level 3 activity, meets can- lowed to open beginning March sion I National Championship, if ules look like, so we don’t have age of 13. From there, he sat be- not occur. 22 at 12 percent capacity as part the first few weeks of the season conflictions. We’re going to take hind the wheel of a modified at In the meeting, it was report- of the beginning of Phase 4 of the go well. this year step-by-step. We would RACING ❙ page 9 ed that football will be observed state’s re-opening plan. March 4, 2021 ❙ AGAWAM ADVERTISER NEWS ❙ Page 9 Sports Follow Turley Sports Blue Sox name new general manager HOLYOKE – Valley Blue Sox President Fred Ciaglo an- within the Athletic Department. After graduating from on Instagram nounced the hiring of Kate Avard as the team’s new Gen- UMass Amherst, Avard enrolled in graduate courses study- eral Manager. ing athletic training and emergency medicine at Boston Turley Publications sports department has recently Avard, 22, will be returning to the Blue Sox organiza- University. joined Instagram. You can find our account by searching tion after interning with the team during the 2016 season. Avard is eager to return to MacKenzie Stadium and ex- “turleysports.” We will regularly feature samples of pho- The Easthampton, MA native, originally from Holyoke, is pand her role with the organization. tos that you will see in our publications on a weekly basis. a graduate of the University of Massachusetts Amherst “Growing up in Holyoke, I attended many Holyoke Gi- Please follow and share with your friends and loved ones. where she earned a B.S. degree in Sport Management from ants games, then later Blue Sox games, with my family We will be featuring photos from all 11 of our sports sec- the Isenberg School of Management and a B.S. degree which is where I fell in love with the sport of baseball,” said tions in the coming weeks, but as always, you can see all studying kinesiology from the School of Public Health and Avard. I later interned with the team and saw firsthand the the photos that appear by subscribing to your local paper Health Sciences. positive influence the team had on the local families and or picking up a copy in your community. “We’re very excited to appoint Kate as our new Gener- local community, similar to what I had personally experi- al Manager,” said Ciaglo. “Having previously served as one enced growing up,” she added. of our interns, she knows the culture and community-ori- “The Blue Sox reputation has grown tremendously over RACING ❚ from page 8 ented mission of our organization. Given her education in the past few years, making the team a staple throughout sport management, Kate will bring strong business funda- Western Mass, said Avard. “Stepping into the role of Gener- full speed for the first time at age 15, and the experience mentals, creativity and a passion for baseball to the Blue al Manager, I hope I am able to build upon the relationship was different from anything he had dealt with before -- but Sox front office.” the organization has with the community and grow the he found success quickly. While at UMass Amherst, Avard served as the Intramu- team in the coming years.” “My dad had a few championships before I took over ral Special Events Assistant and held multiple internships and it didn’t take me too long to adapt to it,” Kimball said. “I won my first race just four weeks into the season. I prac- ticed a lot before getting into a race -- ran it towards the end of the year, and during practices, we went out as much as possible. Once you get comfortable in the car, it’s like Sign-ups now available Hampshire association driving any other race car.” Kimball competes regularly at Monadnock, Hudson seeking umpires Speedway, Claremont Speedway and occasionally Lee USA for 2021 Relics softball REGION – The Hampshire Franklin Baseball Umpire Speedway, and plans to focus on Monadnock full-time this LUDLOW – The Western Mass Relics has season, along with Tri Track. Driving the No. 50 machine, Association (HFBUA) is planning to conduct classes for opened registration for the 2021 Senior Softball the 2021 baseball season following all recommended Kimball has learned the ropes of the Modified over the last Season. The Silver Division (age 50 to 64) has filled few years, but knows he needs to continue to soak up the COVID-19 protocols including the possibility of on-line 36 of the 112 spots and the Gold Division (65-and- instruction. The association covers umpiring of scholastic environment to be successful at the level of Tri Track com- up) has filled 32 of the 96 spots. The registrations petition. He finished sixth and seventh in the two Tri Track baseball for all of Hampshire and Franklin county schools are accepted on a first come first serve basis. All registered under MIAA and several other baseball leagues races on Monadnock’s high-banks last year. our games are played at the Fish & Game in Lud- “It’s a pretty big difference racing-wise from a Mini in the area. If you are interested in umpiring baseball or ob- low. For further information or to register go taining further information regarding the upcoming class- Stock to a Modified, but it just takes a few laps to get used to http://www.westernmassrelics.org. to the throttle and the power,” Kimball said. “The biggest es please contact Roger Booth - Secretary/Treasurer of the difference is the tone of the race. It’s a lot different trying HFBUA via email at [email protected]. to save your tires, versus a crate car, where you go hard the whole time. I still have to figure it out. I have to figure out adjustments to make it last more than 80 laps, so we are there at the end. A lot of it is experience -- you don’t really see many guys jump in a tour car and just be there at the Nominees for volleyball hall announced e n d .” He’s excited to continue to race with the talented field HOLYOKE – The list of 25 nominees for the Interna- it’s going to be really hard for people to narrow down Tri Track offers, and is looking forward to visiting Seekonk tional Volleyball Hall of Fame 2021 Induction has been their Fan Vote selections but it will also make this year’s Speedway for the first time in his career. Tri Track’s 2021 announced and the Fan Vote presented by Mizuno is now Induction that much more special for the selected class.” schedule includes two stops at Monadnock, his home- officially open through Feb. 28. The new class of Inductees will be announced in March track, two at Seekonk and two at Star Speedway, where Fans can vote daily for as many nominees as they and the 2021 Induction Celebration is scheduled for Satur- Kimball has limited laps. feel are deserving of Induction. The top 5 nominees se- day, Oct. 23 and will be live streamed for anyone that can- “It’s a lot different racing against the big names, but lected by the public will comprise a “fans’ ballot” that not travel to Holyoke. Induction Celebration tickets will go they were in the same shoes we were at one point in their will be tallied along with the official selection com- on sale when the new class is announced. career,” Kimball said. “I’ve never even been to Seekonk, so mittee ballots to pick the Class of 2021 inductees. The nominees are: Taismary Aguero, Dr. Rolf Andresen, that will be tough. But I feel confident in Monadnock and “​These 25 nominees represent 11 different countries and Manuela Benelli, Gianfranco Briani, Julius Brink and Jonas I’ve won at Star in the Mini Stock. The difference at Star some of the biggest names in volleyball from the past two Reckermann, Dr. Gabriel Cherebetiu, Sergio Dutra Santos, with a car with a lot more power will require a different line decades and beyond.” said George Mulry, Executive Direc- Giovane Gavio, Linda Hanley, Barbara Jelic-Ruzic, Pieter and everything. It should be a lot of figuring out different tor of the International Volleyball Hall of Fame. “Having to Joon, Siegfried Kohler, Peter Lange, Andre Meyer, Samuele setups this year.” skip the 2020 class of Inductees because of COVID has cre- Papi, Carmelo Pittera, Bernardo Rezende, Todd Rogers, With support from his family and friends, and his spon- ated a bit of a backlog that’s resulted in perhaps the stron- Yumilka Ruiz, Ricardo Santos, Clay Stanley, Sergey Tetyu- sors, Kimball wouldn’t be able to drive on the track. His gest list of nominees top to bottom we’ve ever had. I think hkhin, Logan Tom, Fernanda Venturini, and Elaine Youngs. sponsors include APEX Racing, KRJ Jewelry, Edmunds Ace Hardware, Peterboro Tools, Tyler’s Small Engines, Trends Find us online: www.sports.turley.com of Fashion, Birch Wood Inn, Beangroup and more. He’s lucky to have a stout list of supports behind him to help him compete at a high-level. “I’m just going to be playing it by ear and get the cars ready and go for Monadnock, I’ll be running three races in that same weekend,” Kimball said. “Between the two 443 Springfield St. ∙ Agawam Sportsman Modified races and the Tri Track race, it will Monday – Friday 7:30 – 5PM be a busy weekend. I’m also going to be able to race my dad, who will run our family car in a few races this year. 413-789-2181 I’ve beaten him three times, and he’s beaten me once, so hopefully I can keep the good streak going. I’m just hoping www.vfauto.com to be there at the end of each race this year.” Kimball is just one of more than 15 drivers who have already registered to compete in the entire Tri Track slate for the 2021 season. Registration is open and teams can register at TriTrackModifieds.com/team-info. Teams have the option to either sign-up for the whole season or just one single race.

The Tri Track Open Modified Series will visit three his- toric New England tracks, twice each, to make up the six- race schedule for 2021. The series will stop at Monadnock Speedway in Winchester, New Hampshire on May 1 and August 14, while visiting Star Speedway in Epping, New Hampshire on May 22 and July 24. The anticipated return to Seekonk Speedway, scheduled for June 30 and October 23, will mark two staple events -- the $10,000 to win Open We can handle all of Wheel Wednesday in June and the Haunted Hundred to WARRANTY Preowned vehicles you can wrap the season. 3 Years / 36,000 Mile your motorcycle’s trust! Financing available.

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Page 10 ❙ AGAWAM ADVERTISER NEWS ❙ March 4, 2021

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Massachusetts date of 03/17/2021. This affairs or both. The above- requesting that the court attorney must file a written WITNESS, Hon. The Trial Court day is NOT a hearing date, named person has the right enter a formal Decree of appearance and objection Barbara M Hyland, First Hampden Probate and but a deadline date by which to ask for a lawyer. Anyone Complete Settlement includ- at this court before: 10:00 Justice of this Court. Family Court you have to object to the may make this request on ing the allowance of a final a.m. on the return day of Date: February 17, 2021 50 State Street account(s). If you fail to file behalf of the above-named account, the allowance of 03/22/2021. Rosemary A Saccomani Springfield, MA 01103 the written appearance and person. If the above-named a proposed distribution, This is NOT a hear- Register of Probate Docket No. HD19P2229PM objection by the return date, person cannot afford a law- as stated in the Settlement ing date, but a deadline by 03/04/2021 In the matter of: action may be taken in this yer, one may be appointed Agreement filed herein and which you must file a written Alice A MacDonald matter without further notice at State expense. other such relief as may be appearance and objection if PUBLIC NOTICES ❙ page 12 Of: Agawam, MA to you, including the allow- WITNESS, Hon. Barbara requested in the Petition. you object to this proceed- Protected Person/ ance of the account(s). M Hyland, First Justice of IMPORTANT NOTICE ing. If you fail to file a time- Disabled Person/ Additionally, within thir- this Court. You have the right to ly written appearance and Respondent ty days after said return day Date: February 17, 2021 obtain a copy of the Petition objection followed by an CITATION GIVING (or within such other time as Rosemary A Saccomani from the Petitioner or at affidavit of objections within Please check NOTICE OF the Court upon motion may Register of Probate the court. You have a right thirty (30) days of the return CONSERVATOR’S order), you must file a written 03/04/2021 to object to this proceed- day, action may be taken the accuracy of ACCOUNT affidavit of objections stating your legal notice To the named Respondent the specific facts and grounds Commonwealth of and all other interested per- upon which each objection Massachusetts prior to submis- sons, you are hereby notified is based and a copy shall be The Trial Court pursuant to Rule 72 of the served upon the Conservator Hampden Probate and How to submit sion (i.e., date, Supplemental Rules of the pursuant to Rule 3 of the Family Court time, spelling). Probate & Family Court, that Supplemental Rules of the 50 State Street legal notices the First Annual account(s) Probate & Family Court. Springfield, MA 01103 Also, be sure of Jewish Family Service of You have the right to send (413)748-7758 All legal notices to be published in the Agawam the requested Western MA of Springfield, to the Conservator, by regis- Docket No. HD18P0849EA Advertiser News should be sent directly to notices@ MA as Conservator of the tered or certified mail, a writ- Estate of: publication date property of said Respondent ten request to receive a copy Doris G Preston turley.com. Please indicate the newspapers and pub- has or have been presented to of the Petition and account(s) Date of Death: 12/17/2017 lication date(s) for the notice(s) in the subject line of coincides with the Court for allowance. at no cost to you. CITATION ON your email. For questions regarding coverage area, You have the right to IMPORTANT NOTICE PETITION FOR procedures or cost, please call Jamie Joslyn directly at the purpose of the object to the account(s). The outcome of this ORDER OF COMPLETE 413-283-8393, ext. 216. notice, or as the If you wish to do so, you proceeding may limit or SETTLEMENT Turley Publications Inc. publishes 15 weekly news- or your attorney must file a completely take away the A Petition for Order papers throughout Western Massachusetts. Visit law demands. written appearance and objec- above-named person’s right of Complete Settlement tion at this court on or before to make decisions about has been filed by Linda www.turley.com for more information. Thank you.

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LAND FOR SALE All real estate advertising in this SMALL WATERFRONT LOTS newspaper is subject to the Federal Dock coming soon, swimming and Fair Housing Act of 1968, which makes fishing. Holland, MA. $19,000 each or it illegal to advertise any preference, best offer (508) 868-6157 limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status (number of children and or pregnancy), national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, or any intention to FOR RENT make any such preference, limitation or discrimination. PALMER 1BR, all Appliances. Open This newspaper will not knowingly accept K/DR/LR, Storage/Laundry in Base- any advertising for real estate that is in ment. 2nd Floor. No Smoking/Pets. 1st/ violation of the law. Our readers are hereby Last/Security $800.00/Month. informed that all dwellings advertising in this newspaper are available on an equal Breton Estates (413)283-6940 opportunity basis. To complain about CHECK OUT ALL THE discrimination call The Department of Advertise your Housing and Urban Development “ HUD” home improvement toll-free at 1-800-669-9777. For the N.E. area, call HUD at 617-565-5308. The toll services in our classifieds. TurleyPublications free number for the hearing impaired is We get results! 1-800-927-9275. www.newspapers.turley.com Page 12 ❙ AGAWAM ADVERTISER NEWS ❙ March 4, 2021 Entries for shoebox parade due soon Apply for garden club scholarship AGAWAM – Applications are now available for the Aga- HOLYOKE — Miss the annual p.m. Photo and video submissions are your imagination. You can pick any wam Garden Club scholarship. To qualify for the scholar- Holyoke St. Patrick’s Day Parade? due on Monday, March 8, submission theme you want, but know that floats ship students must be a graduating senior of Agawam High Wish there was a way to share your details are outlined on the Parade Par- will be judged in the following catego- School or a college student who graduated from Agawam pride in the city’s annual celebration? ty Event Page on Facebook. ries: High School. Applicants must be majoring in or planning Fear not. Once you have crafted your float, — Greatest Holyoke Spirit on majoring in one of the following: botany, environmental All you need is a shoebox and your snap a photo and quick video to share — Best Dressed Float engineering, environmental science, earths systems, for- imagination. your zany creation with us by Mon- — Ultimate St. Paddy’s Day Float est management, natural resources, plant soil and insect Then get ready to strut your stuff day, March 8th to holyokeshoeboxpa- — Most Creative Float science, sustainable agriculture, sustainable horticulture in the first-ever Holyoke St. Patrick’s [email protected] so that we can share or food and farming, turf grass science and management, Shoebox Parade Party. them with the world. In the end, we Step 2 - Gather your materials and landscape design and management technology, clean The online event featuring videos will compile a video of all of the floats create your shoebox float! energy, technology studies: wastewater or other environ- of parade floats made out of shoebox- to create our own virtual parade that Start with a shoebox or any simi- mental related studies. Applications are available through es will take place March 17th in cel- you can watch on our page on March lar shaped box as your base. Add clay, Agawam High School or can be found on our website at ebration of Holyoke’s annual St. Pat- 17th. paint, markers, crayons, craft sup- agawamgardenclub.com. rick’s Day weekend festivities. There will be prizes for different plies, paper, feathers, sequins, flowers, The inaugural event was recently category winners including Greatest seeds, toys, photos pretty much any- launched by the Committee to Elect Holyoke Spirit, Best Dressed Float, thing to bring your vision to life! PUBLIC NOTICES ❚ from page 11 Rebecca Lisi, a mayoral candidate Ultimate St. Paddy’s Day Float, Most in Holyoke. The virtual Shoebox Pa- Creative Float, and most social media Step 3 – Snap a photo and video and Commonwealth of Wade Village 705-1, Family rade will be a COVID-safe communi- engagements. There will also be a Peo- submit them! Massachusetts Housing Development for the ty event in celebration of St. Patrick’s ple’s Choice Award for the Shoebox Video submissions are to be: The Trial Court Agawam Housing Authority Day in Holyoke, a city known through- Float with the most social media en- — No more than 15 seconds long Probate and Family Court in Agawam, Massachusetts, out the region for its St. Patrick’s Day gagement, so make sure to like, com- — Filmed horizontally (cell phone Hampden Division in accordance with the doc- Parade and weekend festivities. ment, and share your work of genius videos are welcome!) 50 State Street uments prepared by Roy S. “The Holyoke community has suf- with your family and friends! — Of your float being pulled by a Springfield, MA 01103 Brown Architects. fered a great loss due to the cancel- “This is a wonderful way to bring string from the right to the left of the (413)748-8600 The Project consists of: lation of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade the community together in a fun and screen (so it looks like it’s moving!) Docket No. HD21P0321EA Replacement of existing Estate of: double hung and awning and all its corresponding events for safe way, especially since we aren’t — Emailed to holyokeshoeboxpa- Marilyn Rose Erickson windows with new vinyl two years now due to the COVID-19 able to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in [email protected] no later than Mon- Also Known As: windows. Replacement of pandemic,” said Lisi. “There’s no way person as usual.” said Shannon Sarki- day, March 8th. Marilyn R. Erickson existing vinyl siding and that we could ever replace the Pa- sian, Associate Campaign Advisor and Submit the video and snapshot of Date of Death: trim with new cellular PVC rade and all the festivities leading up Volunteer Coordinator. “I can’t wait to your shoebox float via email along November 14, 2020 siding and trim. Project to that weekend, but my Committee see the creative things that people will with your Name, Age, title of float, and INFORMAL PROBATE scope applicable to four (4) and I thought that we could create a come up with! As for myself, I’m going a brief description of materials used. PUBLICATION NOTICE separate housing buildings small, virtual event that could engage all out to attempt to make a shoebox Include your Facebook profile name To all persons interested and three (3) separate stor- families and bring the community to- that embodies our beloved Ashley and/or URL, so that we can tag you in the above captioned est­ age buildings (see site plan ge th e r.” Reservoir. My shoebox float might not when we post your float photo. ate, by Petition of Petiti­­oner for building locations). Crafting and displaying shoebox even look good, but it’s guaranteed to Float theme and video content Robin Gebrian of West The work is estimated to floats is a popular children’s event in be good fun for sure.” must be family-friendly and the Com- Hartford, CT. cost: One hundred fifty-six communities like New Orleans that Campaign committee member Jeff mittee reserves the right to determine The estate is being ad­min- thousand eight hundred istered under informal pro- fifty dollars ($156,850). have a strong tradition of celebrat- Trask said, “After being cooped up in- the acceptability and appropriateness cedure by the Personal Bids are subject to ing Mardi Gras. In 2020, cities across side all winter in even ‘normal times,’ of all submissions. Representative under the M.G.L. c.149 §44A-J & the country adopted shoebox float by March we are all looking forward Massachusetts Uniform Pro­ to minimum wage rates as parades as a way to safely celebrate to coming out of our homes for the St. Step 4: View photos of the floats on bate Code without super- required by M.G.L. c.l49 Thanksgiving and other holidays in Patrick’s Day Parade. Since we are not our page and vote for your favorite vision by the Court. Inven­ §§26 to 27H inclusive. light of the pandemic restrictions able to come out to celebrate the Pa- one! tory and accounts are not For projects with an on gatherings. This year, Lisi and her rade this year, this will be a little event You will be able to see your sub- re­quired to be filed with the estimated construction cost Committee have created a Facebook to lift everyone’s spirits. I’m looking mission along with the submissions of Court, but interested parties of over $100,000, General Shoebox Parade Party event that will forward to participating with my little others on the event page. are entitled to notice regard- bidders must be certified allow the Holyoke community to hon- one and possibly starting a new family The photo with the most social ing the administration from by the Division of Capital or the decades long tradition of cel- tradition.” engagement (likes, comments, and the Personal Representative­ Asset Management and ebrating St. Patrick’s Day in the city Lisi and her Committee launched shares) will win the grand prize! and can petition the Court Maintenance (DCAMM), in any matter relating to the according to Article 2.1 in while adapting and innovating the the event today and has already gen- Step 5 – Join us virtually in watching estate, including distribu- Section 00.21.00 Instructions event to make it safe and accessible. erated a lot of enthusiastic support. tion of assets and expenses to Bidders, in the category Community members are being Rules and submission guidelines the parade party video! of administration. Interested­ of: General Construction asked to create and decorate shoe- for St. Paddy’s Day Shoebox Parade Gather your family, friends and parties are entitled to petition General Bids will be box floats that will become a part of a Party: neighbors and grab your front row the Court to institute formal received until 2:00 p.m., virtual photo party that will occur on seat in the comfort of your own home proceedings and to obtain Wednesday, March 17, the Committee’s Facebook Event Page Step 1 — Pick a theme: and watch our Shoebox Parade Party orders terminating or restrict- 2021 and publicly opened, throughout the month of March, with This is your chance to create what- on our Facebook event page on March ing the powers of Personal forthwith. a video shoebox parade compilation ever you can dream! Be as innovative 17. Stay tuned for more updates! Representatives appointed This project is being airing on Wednesday, March 17 at 4 and collaborative as possible and use under informal procedure. A Electronically Bid (E-Bid). copy of the Petition and Will, All bids shall be prepared if any, can be obtained from and submitted online at the Pet­itioner. www.Projectdog.com 03/04/2021 and received no later than the date and time speci- St. Patrick’s Road Race going virtual for 2021 AGAWAM ZONING fied above. Hard copy bids BOARD OF APPEALS will not be accepted by HOLYOKE – If you haven’t heard by LEGAL ADVERTISEMENT now, for the second year in a row, the the Awarding Authority. LEGAL NOTICE For E-Bid Tutorial and Holyoke St. Patrick’s Day Road Race has Date: February 5, 2021 Instructions, click here to been cancelled due to concerns sur- Notice is hereby given that the Agawam Zoning Board of download the Supplemental rounding COVID-19. Appeals will hold a public hear- Instructions To Bidders We certainly didn’t come to this deci- ing via ZOOM on Monday, for Electronic Bid Projects sion lightly but in the interest of our par- March 22, 2021 at 6:30PM from www.Projectdog. ticipants, volunteers, and our communi- for all parties interested in the com. For assistance, con- ty we have cancelled this year’s in person appeal of Cellco Partnership, tact Projectdog, Inc. at d/b/a Verizon Wireless, which 978.499.9014. race. We’ve been looking forward to the is seeking a Special Permit in race since the cancellation last year, nev- accordance with the Town of General bids shall be er thinking this pandemic would last this Agawam’s Zoning Ordinances, accompanied by a bid depos- long. Chapter 180, Paragraphs 90 thru it that is not less than five We understand that this isn’t a re- 103, (Article XIV) to allow for (5%) of the greatest possible the installation of a Personal placement for the real thing but run- bid amount (considering all Wireless Service Facility at alternates), and made payable ning with 7,000 others right now is not the premises identified as 128 to the Agawam Housing possible, but we will try to make it just Southwick Street; common- Authority. as fun! This March we will hold the ly known as the Agawam Golf Course. Bid Forms and Contract second Virtual Holyoke St Patrick’s Day Doreen A. Prouty Chairperson Documents will be available Road Race. Create your own 10K route Zoning Board of Appeals electronically or for purchase (or use ours!) and compete against other Join Zoom Meeting at www.Projectdog.com runners. We will provide a familiar look- https://us02web.zoom.us/ on Wednesday, March 03, ing t-shirt, printable custom bib number, j/83354499038?pwd=VFo1Zkkz- 2021; Project Code 841486. free beer, and local giveaways. VE5RSUNLbGFVNEFRZ210QT09 The job site and/or exist- Meeting ID: 833 5449 9038 ing building will be avail- Go to http://racewire.com/register. Passcode: 065046 php?id=11824 for all the details to regis- One tap mobile able for inspection between ter. +13126266799,,83354499038# 2 P.M. and 3 P.M. on Wednesday, March 10, Lastly, thank you for your patience US (Chicago) +16465588656,,83354499038# 2021. and support over the last year. The St. US (New York) For an appointment other Patrick’s Committee of Holyoke works 02/25, 03/04/2021 than the scheduled walk-th- tirelessly year-round to make this ru above, call Maureen “Homecoming Weekend” the best one of ADVERTISEMENT Cayer, Executive Director the year. We look forward to the opportu- The Agawam Housing at the Agawam Housing nity to host you on the streets of Holyoke Authority, the Awarding Authority at (413) 786- Authority, invites sealed bids for the 45th running of the Holyoke St. You can create your own course for this year’s virtual Holyoke St. Patrick’s Road Race. 1297. from Contractors for the Patrick’s Road Race in March 2022. SUBMITTED PHOTO 03/04/2021