TONIGHT Clear Skies. Low of 62. The Westfield Search for The Westfield News News SearchGOOD for The WestfieldSTORYTELLER News “A Westfield350.com The WestfieldNews IS A PERSON WHO HAS A Serving Westfield, Southwick, and surrounding Hilltowns GOOD“T MEMORYIME IS THE AND ONLY HOPES WEATHER OTHERCRITIC PEOPLE WITHOUT HAVEN’ T.” TONIGHT AMBITION.” — IrvIN S. COBB Partly Cloudy. JOHN STEINBECK Low of 55. www.thewestfieldnews.com Search for The Westfield News Westfield350.comWestfield350.org The WestfieldNews Serving Westfield, Southwick, and surrounding Hilltowns “TIME IS THE ONLY VOL.WEATHER 86 NO. 151 TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 2017 75 cents VOL. 87 NO. 156 MONDAY, JULY 9, 2018 CRITIC75 CentsWITHOUT TONIGHT AMBITION.” Partly Cloudy. JOHN STEINBECK Low of 55. www.thewestfieldnews.com VOL. 86 NO. 151 TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 2017 Southwick 75 cents teacher looks back on her long career By GREG FITZPATRICK Correspondent SOUTHWICK – Ever since second grade, Debbie Patryn would tell her mother that she wanted to become a teacher. Growing up in Wrentham, Massachusetts, Patryn would go on to graduate from Westfield State College in 1976 with a degree in education. Fast forward to June 21, 2018, and Patryn was experiencing her last day as a teacher. Officially retiring on June 30, Patryn would end her career with 40 years of full-time teaching in the Southwick school system. “That was kind of a personal goal,” said Patryn. “I’m going to do this until I hit 40 years.” District 2 champions Serving as a substitute teacher at Woodland Westfield American celebrates Sunday’s win over Agawam with a lap around the field. See stories and additional photos School in 1977, Patryn would earn her first full- Page 9. (Photo by Marc St.Onge) time contract with Woodland School in 1978 and would go on to spend the next 35 years teaching at that school. After teaching kindergarten in her first year of teaching, she would bounce around to differ- ent grades before establishing herself as a third- grade teacher for the next 28 years at Woodland. Bike run, Police Some of Patryn’s most memorable experi- ences as a teacher came during her role as a pig roast to third grade teacher. The now retired teacher warning remembers doing a lesson on medieval life benefit Cancer where all of the students dressed in costumes residents and had a festival. The class would learn how castles were built during those times. Patryn House of Hope also remembers teaching third graders about By LORI SZEPELAK about latest Ghana and learning about their culture by doing Correspondent storytelling and conducting a shadow-puppet RUSSELL-Chester resident scam play. Dawn Von Deck “loves to ride “That was a highlight of my career,” said motorcycles and give money By GREG FITZPATRICK Patryn. “Everything would circle around what- away,” and her passion is shared ever theme I was working on.” by her fellow members of COBB Correspondent COBB of River Valley members, including Paul Sporbert (seated), SOUTHWICK – The For her last six years of teaching, Patryn had of River Valley. who serves as president, were welcomed by Joe Kane, program been an enrichment teacher for both Woodland Von Deck and her husband Southwick Police director of CHD Cancer House of Hope, on a recent evening to Department is once again and Powder Mill School. Working with close to Richard are among the 25 cur- 500 students from kindergarten to sixth grade, rent members of COBB, nick- take a tour. COBB members are sponsoring a House of Hope Ride receiving reports about July 14 and encourage bikers to join them. scam artists that are target- the Westfield State graduate enjoyed doing named “Crippled Old Busted hands-on experiments with students. Bikers.” The nonprofit has a ing senior citizens. simple mission – “we look to on Huntington Road. Registration The rider donation to partici- On Friday afternoon, the “It was a great way to end my teaching career have fun, help others and enjoy is planned from 10:30 to 11:45 pate is $25 and $15 for a passen- police department issued a because I was able to do everything that I loved each other’s company all in the a.m. with kickstands up at noon. ger. For persons interested in only statement indicating that name of doing good for the pub- All proceeds raised from this attending the pig roast party that scam artists are calling See Southwick Teacher, Page 8 lic.” ride will benefit the CHD Cancer will also feature raffles, vendors senior citizens and telling COBB members will be host- House of Hope in West and a 50/50 drawing, the cost is them that they’re represen- ing a House of Hope Ride on Springfield, which serves area $15. The menu also includes tatives from Medicare and July 14, rain or shine, which residents of all ages who are bat- beans, cole slaw and corn bread. requesting personal infor- starts and ends at the Russell tling cancer with unique pro- mation in an effort to steal VFW, General Knox Post 6645, grams and services. See Benefit, Page 8 their identity. According to Southwick Police, Medicare informs them that they will never Huntington Summer Music Series call their clients in order to acquire any information about them and only corre- kicks off with annual picnic and the blues spond through the postal system. By AMY PORTER Misty Blues pays homage to the older blues The police always want to Correspondent made popular by the bold and brassy women of its make sure that all citizens HUNTINGTON – The Huntington Summer time, while still paying respect to classic male art- are aware of these scams. Music Series kicks off this Thursday, July 12, 5:30 ists of the 20’s, 30’s and 40’s. The band hasn’t “Remember this, that if to 8 p.m. with the annual picnic and a concert by completely abandoned their musical roots; they you’re not sure if you the Misty Blues Band of Williamstown in the frequently perform classic rock and folk tunes should give the caller infor- Gazebo on the town common, 20 Russell Road in infused with a healthy dose of the blues. Over the mation, if in doubt don’t Huntington. years, Misty Blues has produced five albums, give it out,” said Southwick Misty Blues founder and lead singer, Gina Electric Juke Joint features classic blues rendi- Chief of Police Kevin Coleman, entered the music scene in the early 90’s tions, Roadhouse Revival is a danceable twist on Bishop. as the lead singer of the folk/rock group Cole- traditional gospel music, Between The Stacks their If anyone is receiving Connection. After playing a gospel singer in the completely original album with Charles Neville on these scams or any other Williamstown Theatre Festival production of A sax, With All Due Respect which pays homage to types of scams, contact the Raisin In The Sun, she was steered down the path some of the earliest blues music ever written, and Debbie Patryn is shown with the magnolia tree Southwick Police outside of Woodland School that students of blues. Guitarist Jason Webster and bassist Bill Dark & Saucy their latest original project which is Department at 413-569- Patriquin from Cole-Connection were on board planted for her last year. (Photo from Debbie and thus began Misty Blues. See Summer Music Series, Page 8 Patryn) PAGE 2 - MONDAY, JULY 9, 2018 WWW.THEWESTFIELDNEWS.COM THE WESTFIELD NEWS Sunday’s Child: Jonathan, Violette, and Jaeden Hi! Our names are Jonathan Hello! My name is Jaeden and Violette and we want and I am a loyal friend! to be adopted together! Jaeden (age 10) is an imaginative girl of Caucasian Jonathan (age 5) and Violette (age 6) are sib- descent. Those who are close to her describe her as lings of Caucasian descent who are looking to feisty, sweet, outgoing and sometimes silly. Some of be adopted together! Those who know Jonathan her favorite activities include making up stories and best describe him as energetic and kind. He songs, playing with her Barbie’s, and playing dress up likes to be active outside, especially going for with jewelry and make-up. She also enjoys riding her walks, playing in the sandbox, riding his bike bike and playing outside, whether it’s swimming, and watering the garden. Jonathan also likes to going to the beach or playing with friends. Jaeden build with Legos and watch movies, and enjoys likes to be in charge and independent but is also pretend play. He particularly likes to play described as a loyal friend. She enjoys the structure of “policeman” and “school bus” driver. Jonathan school, and in general thrives in an attentive environ- is starting to like to play sports and has recently ment with lots of positive reinforcements. Legally freed for adoption, Jaeden will do best in a tried basketball and soccer. JONATHAN AND VIOLETTE JAEDEN Jonathan is doing very well at his current family with a mother and a father or two mothers. If there are other children in the home, they will need to program, and has made great gains in following outside to play at the playground. She espe- LGBTQ singles and couples. directions and communicating his thoughts and be an older female. Most importantly, Jaeden needs a The process to adopt a child from cially enjoys playing in the sandbox and at family who will stick by her side through ups and feelings. He has built strong relationships with the water table. Violette is currently attend- foster care requires training, inter- all of the staff and likes to tell them that he downs.