TONIGHT Clear. Low of 52. Search for The Westfield News The WestfieldNews Search for The Westfield News “DON’T TALK ABOUT WHAT Westfield350.com The WestfieldNews Serving Westfield, Southwick, and surrounding Hilltowns YOU“T HAVEIME IS D THEONE ONLY OR WHAT WEATHER YOU CRITICARE GOING WITHOUT TO DO.” TONIGHT — President THOMASAMBITION JEFFERSON.” Partly Cloudy. JOHN STEINBECK Search for The Westfield News Westfield350.comWestfield350.orgLow of 55. Thewww.thewestfieldnews.com WestfieldNews Serving Westfield, Southwick, and surrounding Hilltowns “TIME IS THE ONLY WEATHERVOL. 86 NO. 151 TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 2017 75CRITIC centsWITHOUT VOL. 88 NO. 133 SATURDAY, JUNE 8, 2019 75 Cents TONIGHT AMBITION.” Partly Cloudy. JOHN STEINBECK Low of 55. www.thewestfieldnews.com VOL. 86 NO. 151 TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 2017 75 cents The three ponds of Congamond Lake will be treated for nuisance aquatic vegetation June 10. (WNG File Photo) Congamond Lake treatment is June 10 By HOPE E. TREMBLAY Correspondent WHS Class of 2019 celebrates SOUTHWICK – Treatment of portions of North, Middle and South ponds June 10 means residents must take precau- See photos from last night’s Westfield High School graduation of the Class of 2019 Page 8. (Photo by Sheila Connally) tions. The annual treatment controls the growth of nuisance aquatic vegetation on the three ponds that comprise Congamond Lake. Lake Management Committee member Richard Grannels said the treatment aims to kill Eurasian water milfoil and curly leaf pond weed specifically. “It’s a targeted herbicide,” he said, “but the reason you Search for missing Southwick man don’t want to use irrigation is it can attack some ornamen- tals.” Residents should not use lake water for drinking and cooking from June 10-14. Swimming is restricted through ended after nearly 24 hours June 11, watering livestock is not allowed from June 10-12, By HOPE E. TREMBLAY with over 40 troopers, numer- and residents should not use the water for irrigation until Correspondent ous K-9 teams, mounted June 16. SOUTHWICK – The search horse patrols and a helicop- There are no restrictions on boating and fishing. for a missing Southwick man ter.” Grannels said fish typically do not swim in the shallow ended Friday afternoon nearly Bishop then thanked Pastor waters where the herbicide is used so it’s not a concern. He 24 hours after it began. Dan Valeri from Living Hope added that the herbicide dissipates in a matter of days. Jeffrey Bober, 56, owner of Church “who not only opened The treatment process is very hands-on. The team from Blossoming Acres farm, walked his church up to us for our the company has a GPS map of the ponds and goes out in a into the woods behind 249 Command Center but also flat-bottom boat. When they come across an area with the College Highway around 3 provided the search teams invasive species, they pull up a sample and if it is Eurasian p.m. Thursday afternoon and with refreshments.” water milfoil or curly leaf pond weed, they treat the area. was described by Southwick Massachusetts State Police Grannels said the invasives on Congamond Lake have Police Chief Kevin Bishop as Search and Rescue team drastically decreased. “despondent.” joined Southwick Police and “About 20 years ago they did a whole lake treatment At 4:15 p.m. Friday Bishop Southwick Fire in the search using sonar,” Grannels said, adding all three ponds were sent out a call to residents that for Bober well into the eve- infested with the invasive milfoil. “All 420 acres of water the search was concluded and ning hours Thursday and were treated and now we are down to about 15-20 acres that no other information was being resumed around 9 a.m. Friday. we treat every year.” released at that time. The state police helicopter, a Several public posts on State Police vehicles line up in the Living Hope Church on canine unit from Longmeadow Grannels said the annual treatment is maintenance to pre- College Highway in Southwick as a staging area for the vent the situation from two decades ago from happening Facebook suggest Bober’s body and a Westfield Police officer was recovered, however, state search and rescue operations of a missing Southwick man. and drone were utilized again. (File photo by Hope Tremblay) “The Eurasian water milfoil expands quickly,” he said. police have not yet confirmed throughout the search. “This contributes to algae blooms and it’s a vicious cycle.” the result of the search. “I would also like to thank Response Team) today,” he More than 40 troopers The danger, he said, is that the invasives bring phospho- Bishop thanked residents for the members of the said. “I witnessed true pro- assisted in the search, which rus to the water. their cooperation during the Massachusets State Police fessionalism by a great team was based out of a command search. “Phosphorus is the bad stuff,” Grannels said. “In S.E.R.T. (Special Emergency of troopers. They assisted center at Living Hope Church. Massachusetts and Connecticut it’s banned in fertilizers, unless it’s to start a lawn. For more information on the treatment, contact Solitude Lake Management out of Shrewsbury. Veterans to benefit from classic auto show By LORI SZEPELAK their families. Correspondent “We know how important it is WESTFIELD-Show cars from for the veterans in our area to classics, antiques and of special have as much access to any and interest will grace the Westfield all groups that can provide the Fairgrounds as the Westfield assistance they may need,” said Cruisers hosts its third annual Leavitt, adding there is no fee for Veterans Classic Auto Show July a local organization to share their 27. information. Proceeds raised from the 9 a.m. Organizations that wish to par- – 3 p.m. event at 129 Russellville ticipate are asked to contact Road will benefit the Warrior’s Art Leavitt at (413) 454-5371 or via Room in Westfield, a nonprofit email to justme00315@yahoo. organization that provides area vet- com to sign up. erans and their families a place to “Pre-registration is required for express themselves through art. organizations and we ask that you “The Westfield Cruisers have Gary Francis and Julie Leavitt review logistics for do not solicit donations during been organizing benefit car shows the July 27 Veterans Classic Auto Show. this event,” said Leavitt. for over 10 years now and this Vendor spaces are once again year’s show will once again benefit say a goal of $5,000 should be within being offered for $15 and new the Warrior’s Art Room,” said Julie reach, with the help of area businesses this year is an artist section. Leavitt, co-chair of the event. Leavitt is and those who attend the show,” said Crafters who make their own prod- sharing logistics duties with Gary Leavitt. ucts are also encouraged to reserve a Francis who developed cruise night Francis, who will also serve as disc vendor space. events at Stanley Park beginning in jockey for the event, will spin tunes as Awards are also a popular feature of 1999. part of his “Back in Time” repertoire the event and include the “Top 20,” as “The cruise nights are very casual and that includes classic hits from the 1950s well as a “spectator choice,” “veteran over the years evolved into shows,” said to the 1970s as well as country tunes. choice,” and “best in show.” Awards Francis. “Gary will be playing the songs that take into consideration “originality, Gateway Class of 2019 Leavitt noted that last year the everyone knows and loves,” said attention to detail, a rare vehicle not Warrior’s Art Room was presented with Leavitt. seen before at the show, and original Gateway High School Class of 2019 President a check for $3,400 from proceeds raised A new feature of the event this year is restoration,” noted Francis. Jessica Garriepy gives the welcoming address during through the car show. a Walk of Pride that will showcase area “We also have a new award, the Tom the commencement ceremony June 7. See additional “We, of course, would love to be able organizations that provide valuable pro- photos Page 7. (Chloe McLeod Photo) to surpass that amount this year, and I’d grams and services for veterans and See Classic Auto Show, Page 7 PAGE 2 - SATURDAY, JUNE 8, 2019 WWW.THEWESTFIELDNEWS.COM THE WESTFIELD NEWS Tea time! Armbrook Village hosted a tea party in the community, com- plete with spring hats, sweets and, of course, tea. Pictured are Armbrook residents Maryann Dyba, Gerry DePretto, Veryl Oberdiek, and Betty Rhodes with EnrichedLIFE Assistant Jo Ann Graydon (second from right). (Sumbitted Photo) ODDS & ENDS Colorado will leave house-sized boulder along highway SUNDAY MONDAY TONIGHT DENVER (AP) — A boulder the size of a house that tumbled across and gouged a southwestern Colorado state highway last month will stay put. State officials plan to Sunny. Mostly Sunny. rebuild the highway next to it, saving taxpayers money and possibly creat- 81-84 78-81 ing a tourist attraction. Democratic Gov. Jared Today: Sunny, with a high near 84. North wind around Polis said Tuesday that 7 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Tonight: Colorado will save about Clear. Clear, with a low around 52. Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 84. Calm wind becoming south 5 to 7 mph $200,000 by not blasting in the morning. Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a the 8.5 million pound (3.9 low around 53. Monday: A slight chance of showers million kilogram) boul- 52-53 after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 81.