JUNE 24, 2021 Rick’S Place Carries on Under New Executive Director by Dalton Zbierski Sole Parent to Three Children
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TOWN The Wilbraham-Hampden PRSRT STD Knights U.S. POSTAGE award PAID Scholars PALMER, MA PERMIT NO. 22 Page 5 SPORTS ECR-WSS Baseball LOCAL POSTAL CUSTOMER finishes regular season Page 11 Dedicated to Improving the Quality of Life in the Communities We Serve A TURLEY PUBLICATION ❙ www.turley.comTIMESJUNE 24, 2021 www.wilbrahamhampdentimes.turley.com Rick’s Place carries on under new Executive Director By Dalton Zbierski sole parent to three children. She Editor was soon after drawn to Rick’s Place, becoming Program Direc- WILBRAHAM – When tor in 2016. tragedy strikes, and a loved one “I realized my life experi- passes away, there is ence and my educational no “how to” manual for background really had grieving. The impact of this place calling out a substantial loss can be to me as a place where felt in many ways, and I can be of support to the process of mourn- families because I do ing is unique to each know what it’s like to individual. be in their shoes,” said Rick’s Place, a Ross. non-profit located in Rick’s Place pro- Wilbraham at 85 Post vides grieving individu- als with facilitated sup- Office Park #8521, spe- Therese Ross cializes in providing port groups, enabling comfort to grieving children and them to remember lost their families. Its services are loved ones without feeling iso- free of charge. lated. Most importantly, Rick’s Named for Rick Thorpe, a Place offers caring and compas- husband and father with Wilbra- sionate support. ham roots who died in the 9/11 “When families come to us terrorist attacks, Rick’s Place and know so many of our volun- offers grief support services for teers have had histories of per- families who are adjusting to life sonal loss, it’s a real comfort to in the absence of a loved one. know they’re not the only ones. Recently, Therese Ross, a For kids, especially, to look former teacher and early child- around and see that there are hood director, took over as Ex- other families who have had a Rick’s Place photos submitted by Rick’s Place ecutive Director of Rick’s Place. death in the family, and they’re Rick’s Place in Wilbraham specializes in offering support to children and families who are grieving the In 2015, Ross lost her hus- loss of a loved one. band to cancer and became the Please see RICK’S, page 5 Thrive After 55, broadcast Vendors, residents unite at craft fair By Dalton Zbierski scheduled for June 25 Editor By Dalton Zbierski Preparation ahead of the 2021 WILBRAHAM – On June Editor edition began long before Gov. 19, 36 vendors from across the Charlie Baker rescinded most region traveled to 500 Main St. SPRINGFIELD – Making COVID-19 restrictions, and the to partake in the Wilbraham the most of everyday life is the decision was made to broadcast United Church Outdoor Arts and focus of “Thrive After 55,” a virtually. Craft Fair. television program that will air June 15 will mark the sec- By all accounts, the much-an- on WWLP-22 News and The ond time in as many years ticipated event was a success. CW Springfield on Friday at 11 that Lesser has partnered with “We had good weather, good a.m. WWLP-22’s Mass Appeal, an foot traffic and it looks like the State Sen. Eric Lesser of the hour-long lifestyle program vendors did well. I love that First Hampden and Hampshire that airs every Monday through when you’re driving down Main District will host the annual Friday at 11 a.m. Street, you see this active com- event on June 25, which is to While the event won’t be munity event happening. This be held virtually for the second in person, the knowledge that is an all-day event that brings Karen Rougeau, owner of K’s Kreations Handcrafted Goods, traveled consecutive year. it will present is more perti- people into our community and Geared towards seniors, nent than ever before. Lesser to Wilbraham from the Berkshires to participate in the Wilbraham brings us out into the communi- United Church Outdoor Arts and Craft Fair on June 19. the broadcast will include in- described “Thrive After 55” as ty,” said organizer Deb Trible. terviews and segments on being a “community effort,” The June 19 craft fair marked mental health, nutrition, arts one that will touch on a range the first time that the church held and culture, mindfulness and of material. such an event outdoors. Many of movement. The program will “It’s a mix of more serious the vendors who were present feature live interviews, with topics, a mix of lighter topics, traditionally participate in the guests ranging from Massachu- but the theme this year is defi- church’s Holly Fair, which was setts Attorney General Maura nitely about rejuvenation and cancelled last December due to Healey to Master Yoga Instruc- revitalization,” said Lesser. the COVID-19 pandemic. tor Sheila Magalhaes. “For me, it’s one of the high- Beyond an array of unique “This has been an unprec- lights of the year. It’s fun for handcrafted goods, the craft fair edented year and a time like us because these are the orga- included a café and bake sale no other to say the least, but nizations and people we work that offered attendees hot dogs, it’s been especially hard on se- with all year long so the ability burgers, chips, popcorn and niors,” said Lesser. “The virus to showcase them and partner chocolate chip cookies. itself really targeted, in many with them is really great.” Karen Rougeau, owner of K’s respects, our senior population. In addition to Healey, who Kreations Handcrafted Goods, The isolation that came with will present on cybercrimes, and traveled to Wilbraham from the the pandemic has had a dra- Magalhaes, owner of Heartsong Dee Gore, a candle maker, was one of many Wilbraham crafters who Berkshires. Rougeau was im- participated in the June 19 craft fair at 500 Main St. matic effect in terms of mental Yoga in East Longmeadow, the pressed by the event’s layout and health.” program will feature Michael liveliness. I’ve done craft fairs down here, Rougeau, adding that, “people The program has tradition- Bobbitt, Executive Director “Being in the Berkshires is a ally occurred on the campus of the Massachusetts Cultural people have been very friendly, need this for mental health.” small community. There’s more very nice and they purchase. It’s of Springfield College in front people here, and every time of more than 1,000 spectators. Please see THRIVE, page 4 top notch; no complaints,” said Please see CRAFT, page 7 Page 2 The Wilbraham-Hampden TIMES June 24, 2021 NEWS ABOUT TOWN Hampden to launch Fiber Optic Real Living Realty Professionals Committee to host fundraising event By Dalton Zbierski of establishing the “working group” but committed to MHA as a sponsor of the brought clarity to a misconception that Editor Live Concert to Featuring nonprofit’s 2021 Wellness Classic Golf he’s heard throughout town. Flynn ad- Tournament. “We are hoping to raise an dressed a contingent of residents, who are Frank Manzi on June 30th HAMPDEN – The town of Hampden additional $5,000 through this commu- advocating for the town to switch from is in the process of creating a Fiber Op- Outdoors at Wilbraham nity live music event,” said Kimberley Charter to Comcast. tic Committee to pursue the feasibility of A. Lee, VP Resource Development & “We’re looking to change to a differ- Country Club offering residents access to high-speed Branding for MHA. “After a year with- ent technology that would provide a bet- internet. out live music, this is a great opportu- ter service,” said Flynn. “This is a whole WILBRAHAM – Chester, Amal and Fiber-optic internet is a broadband nity to enjoy Frank Manzi outdoors in different dynamic. Changing from cable Anthony Ardolino of Real Living Realty connection that can reach speeds of 1,000 a beautiful setting while supporting the to cable; that was never going to be an Professionals are sponsoring an outdoor Megabits per second, with minimal lag good work of the Mental Health Asso- option because we’ll never get Comcast live music event at Wilbraham Coun- time, using fiber-optic cable that can try Club on Wednesday June 30th from ciation.” transmit data at approximately 70% the to take over the Charter network and buy 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Local music leg- About MHA: speed of light. them out.” end Frank Manzi will perform and light What We Do MHA (Mental Health Fiber-optic cables are also less sus- While switching cable providers is not fare will be served. Tickets are $25 per Association) helps people live their best ceptible to severe weather conditions, in a viable option, Flynn still anticipates that person and can be purchased at the door life. We provide access to therapies for comparison to traditional cables, helping bringing fiber-optic internet to Hampden or by visiting www.mhainc.org/donate. emotional health and wellness; services to reduce outages. would be an “advance.” “We know there is a great need for for substance use recovery, developmen- Several volunteers who expressed in- As the meeting progressed, Town Ad- mental health services, especially com- tal disabilities and acquired brain injury; terest in joining the committee appeared ministrator Bob Markel made it known ing out of the pandemic,” said Chester services for housing and residential pro- during the June 21 meeting of the Hamp- that he is working to produce a compre- Ardolino, Realtor.