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PET OF THE WEEK CELEBRATING SPORTS Meet Happy 100th Palmer-Ware Hops & Barley birthday Rivalry Game Page 2 Page 2 Page 9 SERVING PALMER, MONSON, BRIMFIELD, HOLLAND & WALES The Journal Register A TURLEY PUBLICATION ❙ www.turley.com April 8, 2021 ❙ Vol. CLXX, No. 11 ❙ $1.00 www.journalregister.turley.com COMMUNITY New display will honor local Purple Heart recipients By Jonah Snowden [email protected] PALMER – This year, Memo- A Hoppin’ Good Day rial Day will be more colorful and perhaps radiate more gravitas. Light Up Palmer and Veteran’s Agent Troy Brin have come to- gether to put together a new Purple Heart Recognition Program. Beginning Memorial Day, May 31, Light Up Palmer plans to dis- play banners along Main Street in the Depot Village area through Vet- eran’s Day, Nov. 11. Chairperson of Light Up Palmer, Christine Smith, said the committee reached out to her with the idea and that it’s a team effort with members such as Don- na Mead, who designed the Purple Heart recognition banner deserving a share of the credit. “We truly act as a team with each person bringing a different tal- ent to the table,” Smith said. “My talent happens to be reach- ing out to people with our ideas and helping fund them. Additionally, I would like to mention the employ- Courtesy Photo ees and patrons of Tailgate Tavern, The town of Palmer plans to rec- since they are the individuals who ognize local veterans who received helped put together an idea and the Purple Heart, awarded to men funded a significant portion of this and women of the U.S. Armed Forc- program on our behalf.” es who were wounded or killed in Brin, who will contact and combat. The banner shown here speak with local Purple Heart recip- was created by Donna Mead. ients and ask if they would like to be to honor our veteran’s is a breath recognized, said he appreciates the of fresh air and inspirational,” Brin organizers’ drive and creativity. said. Photos special by Brett Miller “The passion of Light Up THREE RIVERS — The first Easter-ific Egg Hunt of Palmer was a huge success Saturday in Pulaski Park. See more photos on page 8. Palmer’s team and Christine Smith PURPLE HEART ❙ page 5 PERSEVERANCE With barely enough for a team, Pathfinder shows Pioneer spirit By Jonah Snowden “They’ve been super committed and [email protected] pretty much 15 of them have only missed maybe one or two practices,” Baldyga PALMER – Sports is supposed to said. build character and the Pathfinder Region- “They’ve been really great at show- al Vocational Technical School football ing up and putting in the work. We’re team showed it has plenty of it. really coaching them up hard and we’re The Pioneers demonstrated their trying to get better as a program and I got willingness to persevere through any ob- to give the kids a ton of credit for their stacles, regardless of the outcome, during commitment.” a recent game against Northampton High Even after having to concede a game School’s Blue Devils. The team went into with a half to play, Baldyga said he is op- the March 28 game with only 13 eligi- timistic for the team’s future. ble players and despite the disadvantage, “I think this particular group are just came to play. The game was called at half- really passionate about the sport of foot- time with Pathfinder on the long end of ball,” Baldyga said. a 35-0 score. Coach Joseph Baldyga said “They want to get learn and get bet- despite the effort, he had to consider the ter and have given such tremendous effort team’s health and safety and decided it and have great attitudes. My coaching was best to call it a day and regroup for staff are super excited every day for prac- the next game. tice. We had some good routines we go Baldyga, who also is Pathfinder Di- through, trying to improve our skills and rector of Athletics, said the reason for the Quarterback and team captain Jordan Tal- I think the kids enjoy being back to nor- short-handed roster last week was a com- bot escapes a tackle during the shortened mal. When you are out on the field, even bination of some players losing academic game against Northampton. In the back- though we are wearing a mask, it’s their eligibility because of low grades, sever- two hours of the day they’re doing some- ground is head coach Joseph Baldyga. Turley Publications file photos by David Henry al who left the team to take after-school thing they love. Senior Richard Martin (34), a fullback and linebacker and also a team captain, and Austin Lagi- jobs, and a few students being forced into players, especially the core group that Pioneer players, such as team captain barely made up enough to actually take moniere (21) both try to get their hands on the ball during the game against the Blue Devils. The quarantine because of COVID-19. Pioneers played despite having only 13 eligible players. Baldgya said he is still proud of his the field. GAME ❙ page 11 LAW ENFORCEMENT ENVIRONMENT Palmer native sworn-in as Hampden Grab your gloves and come help save police chief the river next week By Elise Linscott By Michael Harrison [email protected] [email protected] HAMPDEN – Nearly 100 THREE RIVERS — The 50th people stood on the front lawn anniversary of Earth Day may have of the Hampden Police Depart- been overshadowed by the global ment last Wednesday to watch the pandemic, but that doesn’t mean its swearing-in ceremony for Scott legacy won’t continue. Trombly, the department’s new In this area, the Palmer Conser- chief of police. vation Commission is looking for- Trombly, a Warren resident ward to a robust turnout of volun- who’s worked with the Hampden teers for its first river cleanup since department for nearly 27 years, 2019. The 2020 event was canceled was appointed unanimously by as the COVID-19 pandemic, then in the town’s board of selectmen last its early months, led to municipal month. Trombly, formerly a detec- Courtesy photo lockdowns and quarantines as offi- Palmer native Scott Trombly is sworn-in as Hampden police chief. Courtesy photo cials hoped to stop the spread. A group of volunteers who participated in the Palmer Conservation Commis- This year’s event will be held tive with the department, fills the state Executive Office of Public sion’s 2018 river clean-up. Want to join your neighbors as part of a national Saturday, April 17 — less than a river cleanup project on April 17? Contact Sarah Fortune at 413-626-7084 or vacancy left by Jeff Farnsworth, Safety and Security earlier this week before the 51st Earth Day, who left for a position with the [email protected]. TROMBLY ❙ page 5 RIVER ❙ page 5 PAGE 2 April 8, 2021 ❙ THE JOURNAL REGISTER Brimfield Police Summerfest of the on the lookout events canceled for distracted due to pandemic Class MONSON — The annual Monson Summerfest will not stage its June Fireworks or Independence PALMER HIGH SCHOOL drivers Day activities, the committee said this week. By Jonah Snowden The Monson Summerfest Committee voted A BIG THANK YOU [email protected] to suspend the June fireworks and Fourth of July To The Following Businesses And activities for this year after consulting local health BRIMFIELD – The Brimfield Police Depart- agencies. The committee decided it is not in the best Individuals Who Have Already ment is using a Municipal Road Safety Grant, award- interest of the town to hold its annual celebration Contributed To The Celebration ed through the Executive Office of Public Safety and while cases of COVID-19 remain high in the area Security, to purchase equipment and enforce the – Monson has been in the “Red” or high-risk cate- Mass. cell phone law enacted just over a year ago. gory for several weeks – and some state-mandated GOLD SPONSORS The town’s police officers in marked and un- restrictions remain in place. SPONSOR OF 10+ STUDENTS marked vehicles or standing at intersections will be “The committee has always prided itself in Demores Automotive out monitoring drivers to ensure they keep their cell providing our community and visitors with a safe, phones down. The penalty for violating the hands- friendly, and family oriented day in keeping with Safe & Sound, Inc. free law is a $100 fine for the first offense, a $250 the traditional Fourth of July celebration,” Com- fine for the second offense, and a $500 for the third mittee Chairman Steve Slozak said. and subsequent offenses. “The current health concerns posed by the SILVER SPONSORS HOPS AND BARLEY Brimfield Police Lt. William Beaudry said this COVID-19 pandemic and its implications for the SPONSOR OF 5 - 9 STUDENTS campaign began on April 2 and will go through April well-being of all people has posed a very real threat Linda & Rick Anderson These Maine Coon kittens are owned by Bill and 18 to help convince residents to not text while driv- to that goal.” Shannon Swift of Monson. “They are very good boys,” ing or do any other type of distracted driving. Beau- Not that it was an easy decision to make, he Noonan Energy Shannon says. “Obviously they are best friends. When dry said drivers can make hands-free calls or texts said. Tailgate Tavern to ensure their safety as well as the safety of fellow they are not sleeping, their favorite toy is a small “It was a disappointing decision, but one that drivers and pedestrians.