INDEX The Opinion: 6 In The Classroom: 9 Sports: 11 Obituaries: 14 Classifieds: 18 Notices: 19 REGISTERLOCAL NEWS ❙ LOCAL STORIES ❙ LOCAL ADVERTISERS A TURLEY PUBLICATION ❙ www.turley.com May 5, 2021 ❙ Vol. 78, No. 20 www.register.turley.com NEWSLINE Boys and GIrls Club Riverside Drive nearing completion prepares for summer fun By Michael Harrison [email protected] LUDLOW — The next big transformation in the Lud- low Mills project is just a few months from completion. Major infrastructure work for Riverside Drive is underway and SEE PAGE 2 barring any unexpected delays, should be done sometime in Celebrating 100th November, Ludlow Selectman birthday Derek DeBarge said. The work underway is extensive and rep- resents a milestone of sorts in a downtown rehabilitation project that represents a $300 million investment spanning 30 years. The focus of a joint DPW meeting scheduled for Tuesday after press time was hammering out a maintenance agreement for Riverwalk, the scenic trail and SEE PAGE 4 park along the Chicopee River that runs along Riverside Drive. Pet of the Week Officials need to come up with a plan for how the town will han- dle “landscaping, graffiti remov- Please see MILLS UPDATE, Turley Publications photo by Michael Harrison Infrastructure work on Riverside Drive, part of the Ludlow Mills revitalization project, is expected to be Page 7 completed by fall, setting the stage for new housing units in the derelict mill buildings. CLASS OF ’21 Local students with a passion Seniors’ gift to school is for giving plan clothing drive SEE PAGE 5 OPINION ripe with symbolism If it didn’t grow there, By Anne Marie Corrieri DON’T throw it there Correspondent LUDLOW — As the Ludlow High School Class of 2021 pre- pares to graduate in a few short weeks they will continue the an- nual tradition of leaving behind class gifts that represent their journey from students to alumni. According to LHS princi- pal Lisa Nemeth, the idea for SEE PAGE 5 the first Class of 2021 gift was Courtesy Photo proposed by LHS senior Jacob Ludlow High School student Riley Londraville is planning a IN SPORTS Dufour. clothing drive for May 10-21. Spring sports “We met, and Jacob ex- plained his idea to plant an ap- By Jonah Snowden Ludlow High School and Paul ple tree across from the football [email protected] R. Baird Middle School May field ticket booth,” explained 10-21. Londraville launched Nemeth. LUDLOW – There are ba- the drive to assist non-profit “He arrived prepared with bies in need of clothes. Riley organization Cradles to Cray- several convincing reasons out- Londraville and Jack Favata ons with collecting clothes for lining his idea, including the are determined to help. newborns. Project 351’s food fact that a fruit-bearing tree Courtesy photo Londraville, a Ludlow High drives and clothing drives, as would be a living reminder of Ludlow High senior Jacob Dufour School student and Project well as previously assisting with the apple tree that is one of 351 Alumni and Alumni Uni- Please see SENIORS GIIFT, the Class of 2021’s gifts to their ty Corps member, is prepar- Please see CLOTHING DRIVE, Page 8 soon-to-be alma mater. ing to host a clothing drive at Page 8 SEE PAGE 11 Annual town meeting to take place at Ludlow High School DATEBOOK By Jonah Snowden Town Administrator Ellie Vil- have more than enough room to production and use of thin-film, Upcoming events [email protected] lano said because the social dis- house the majority of those who single use-plastic checkout bags, tancing protocol is still in effect, show up. If for some reason the which the warrant said has “a PARKING LOT SALE: New Kids LUDLOW – The annual they will have an extra room for capacity fills in the auditorium, significant impact on the envi- Clothing, iwnfant to Size 12, Fab- Ludlow Town Meeting will take guests to sit in if the main audi- we have an overflow room in the ronment and aquatic animals,” ric and yarn, soup to-go and sweet place 7:30 p.m. May 10 in Lud- torium fills up. cafeteria.” will be debated, followed by a treats – all at ready to sell great low High School followed by the “In the auditorium, we usu- Over 22 articles, including vote to decide if single use plas- prices at First Church in Ludlow 10 special town meeting at 8 p.m. ally have around 800 people the “Chapter XX Single Use a.m.-2 p.m. May 15. Rain date is A ban on certain plastic bags in normally, but we’re still social Plastic Bag Prohibition,” will be Please see , May 22. ANNUAL MEETING one of the articles to be decided. distancing,” Villano said. “We presented at the meeting. The SEE PAGE 16 Page 8 ◗ Page 2 ❙ May 5, 2021 ❙ The Register LUDLOW Boys and Girls Club prepares for summer fun By Jonah Snowden [email protected] LUDLOW – As the end of the school year nears, the Ludlow Community Cen- ter/Randall Boys and Girls Club is get- ting ready to launch its Summer Fun Pro- gram. The program, which is scheduled to take place from June 21 to Aug. 20 for children ages 6 to 13, will provide a vari- ety of activities. In addition to fun things to do, the program has an educational element. Attendees can spend part of the summer days with arts and crafts, STEM projects, theme weeks, virtual field trips, indoor and outdoor sports, swimming and more. Boys and Girls Club development associate Cristina Jardine said the scheduled camp themes such as Wiz- ardry, Magic, and Hawaii and its Volca- noes are new. She also said she is ex- cited for the program to kick off as the Commonwealth emerges from the more At the Ludlow Community Center/Randall Boys and Girls Club, where the mission is making sure every child has an educational and than year-long pandemic. fun experience. “We’re just so excited to be able to welcome the kids back,” Jardine said. “Regardless of whatever people’s local public schools to make sure we approach,” and aim to get creative “This whole year for so many kids circumstances are, we want to provide are also helping to provide and in- as “out-of-school time providers,” was challenging and we love provid- the best and most fun summer for ev- fusing academic enrichment into our to provide a “well balanced experi- ing a place where kids can be together, ery child who wants to come to camp,” summer enrichment program,” Salazar ence for children who come to the have fun and just enjoy their summer.” Salazar said. said. club.” President and CEO of Boys and “We also want to be as responsive “There are some students who need Priority registration is available now Girls Club Mechilia Salazar said all this and flexible to the families in our com- additional support through the summer through May 12 with general registra- summer, “every kid deserves laughter, munities.” to make up for some of the challeng- tion beginning May 14. fun and a place where they can be safe- The STEM segment, which will take es they might have faced trying to do For more information, to see other ly around friends and fill in the gap of place July 19-23, shows the Club isn’t school learning remotely.” events the club is putting together, such social and emotional development.” all just about fun and games. It’s also a Salazar also said during these as the May 7 Spring Feast or to make All families in the community are place where kids and learn and grow. trying times, they have been “trying a donation, visit ludlowbgc.org or call welcome. “We are in active conversations with to look at everything from a holistic 413-583-2072. The Ludlow Community Center/Randall Boys and Girls Club helps children stay strong and healthy by getting them on their feet with energetic activities. Courtesy photos STEM projects and other education-oriented activities are part of the Boys and Girls Club summer program. Acacio serrazina Bricklayer/Mason Masonry by Acacio Chimneys, Walls and Other Masonry Specialties at Kelly & Velazquez Eye Center Cell: (413) 433-3238 Home: (413) 543-6773 1504 N. Main Street 362 Sewall Street Palmer Ludlow 413-283-3511 413-589-1806 NOTICE Lower Pioneer Valley ERRORS: Each advertis- The Most Advanced Lens Designs er is requested to check EARLY LEARNING their advertisement the Licensed by MA first time it appears. Large Selection CENTER This paper will not be Department of Early of Frames & Sunglasses responsible for more than one corrected in- Education and Care from Budget to Designer sertion, nor will be li- to serve children 2.9 able for any error in We Provide the Finest Quality at an advertisement to a Reasonable Prices! For more information: to 6 years old. greater extent than the Call 413-735-6388 or email cost of the space occu- [email protected] 174 Brush Hill Avenue Tim Murphy Jim Phillips pied by the item in the Visit us at http://lpvctec.org/elc/ West Springfield, MA RDO#1334 RDO#4261 advertisement. The Register ❙ May 5, 2021 ❙ Page 3 ◗ THE BEST FLOWERS Det. Kornacki completes supervisor training FOR THE BEST MOM! LUDLOW — The Ludlow Po- responsibilities of first line super- sented police departments through- lice Department announces that visors in a modern criminal justice out New England and included Det. Detective Sergeant David Kornac- agency. The program, presented Sgt. Kornacki, the Ludlow Police ki has successfully completed the by experienced academics and law Department’s most senior detective “Command Training Series: First enforcement practitioners April who leads the department’s Detec- Mother’sGardens Day To Go Line Supervisor Course” which was 19-30, discussed topics including tive Unit.