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VOL. 86 NO. 151 $1.00 TUESDAY,TUESDAY, DECEMBER JUNE 27, 2017 22, 2020 VOL. 75 cents 89 NO. 304 Noble nurses call for ‘serious’ contract proposal By HOPE E. TREMBLAY was rejected by the nurse’s Dubin said he has done nurse Editor union for several reasons, contract negotiations for three WESTFIELD — Eight including a loss in time off. decades and this has been the Baystate Noble Hospital nurses Dubin said Baystate has a longest. representing their nurses’ union Paid Time Off benefit, which “We usually come to an agree- took to Park Square Green over lumps together vacation, sick ment in 8-10 sessions,” he said. the weekend to send a message and personal time. Noble has “We have had 18 already. . . . that they are not happy with the not had that style benefit and that’s unacceptable at any time, current contract proposal. Dubin said the switch proposed but especially this year.” The nurses held lighted elec- would take away earned sick The reduction in sick time tronic signs stating “Baystate time from nurses. would be “quite a loss” for most Don’t Cut Nurses’ Sick Time.” “We’re looking at a loss of nurses. He said they have been Spokesperson Paul Dubin, a about three-and-a-half weeks of working around the clock nurse at Noble Hospital for 33 sick time,” Dubin said. “And throughout the pandemic and years, said they have been the PTO would use vacation many will be getting vaccinated working under a contract that first, so if you’re sick for a this week so they can continue expired last March and have week, they would use vacation to work and care for others. He spent much of 2020 negotiating time.” said they have not been treated a new contract while caring for Dubin said the nurses’ needs with care. “We want the ‘heart- patients. are not being met in the con- felt thanks’ we’ve seen on TV Dubin said their 19th negoti- tract proposals thus far and he commercials,” he said. “We all Baystate Noble Hospital nurses standout on Park Square Green Dec. 19 to protest what ation session is slated for early hopes they get a “serious pro- they say is a lack of a ‘serious contract proposal.’ (HOPE E. TREMBLAY/THE WESTFIELD 2021. The most recent proposal posal” in January. See Noble Nurses, Page 5 NEWS)
Youth art show Council wraps up goes online 2020, re-elects Submission deadline Bean as president By AMY PORTER Staff Writer set for Dec. 27 WESTFIELD — In the final City Council meeting of 2020, Mayor Donald F. Humason Jr. took a few min- By LORI SZEPELAK Correspondent utes to commemorate Westfield’s 100th anniversary of being incorporated as a city on Nov. 2, 1920. WESTFIELD-Westfield children have a tight Peerless Precision Owner Kristin Carlson and an employee show stu- Humason said in 2019, deadline to meet — Dec. 27 – for the 2020 Online dents one of the parts manufactured at the plant. (WPS PHOTO) Westfield Youth Art Show, presented by ArtWorks Westfield celebrated 350 of Westfield, Inc. years since its founding “Our inaugural Westfield Youth Art Show, Adopt a Classroom makes which overshadowed this launched in 2019 in partnership with the Visual & event a bit. “I thought Fine Art departments at the Boys & Girls Club of before the year ended, it’s Greater Westfield, was such a success we scheduled most of remote experience important to celebrate that this year’s youth art show for May 2020 in conjunc- Westfield is a thriving city,” he said. He also rec- tion with the Articulture Westfield event planned for By AMY PORTER ferent career paths they can take, May at Amelia Park ice rink,” said Bill Westerlind, ognized the first mayor of Staff Writer especially in manufacturing, Westfield, George W. ArtWorks president. “Of course, COVID got in the WESTFIELD — Westfield where there are many career way!” Searle, the first City Public Schools English Language opportunities in Westfield. Council president Harry Westerlind noted that ArtWorks members had Arts Supervisor Mary Keane said Keane said when Carlson talk- “held out hope” to launch the youth art show in Putnam, and read a cita- the remote experience has in some ed about women in STEM, a stu- tion from Governor person until it became “very clear” this would not ways been advantageous for the dent posted the following com- BRENT B. BEAN, II Charlie Baker. Council President be possible. Adopt a Classroom program, an ment in the chat: “You’re so suc- “At the last minute we decided to launch the show In other business, the initiative of the Westfield cessful!!! This tells me to follow Council approved a grant of $225,776 from MassDOT Education to Business Alliance. my dreams…” for the construction of a multi-use trail alongside the See Youth Art Show, Page 3 “A neat experience with the two The same class partnered on south side of Court Street to run from Holcomb Street projects that we had this year; Dec. 16 with Wright Flight to Holland Avenue, which will be a continuation of the kids can see things in the busi- President Mike Gutowski and multi-use trail on Western Ave. nesses that they might not have volunteer Jim Wysocki at Before considering the motion, a letter was read dur- been able to see without remote,” Westfield Barnes Airport. Keane ing public participation from the Friends of the Keane said. said this project had originally Columbia Greenway Rail Trail encouraging support for In October, grade 6 students been in the works for last year, the grant which stated that the trail will dramatically from JoAnn Roselli and Matt before the schools shut down. increase the safety of the sidewalk for pedestrians and Wroth’s Westfield Intermediate Western Mass Wright Flight bikers. School’s Remote Team met introduces students in grades 7 The Council also voted to cut $486,000 from the Kristin Carlson, owner of Peerless through 12 to the field of aviation, Water division and $556,000 from Wastewater in Precision, via Google Meet. its history, the principles of flight, FY21, based on less than anticipated revenues in FY20. Keane said Carlson gave stu- and the many career opportunities During a discussion, finance committee chair Ralph J. dents insight into what it is like to available in the aviation industry. Figy said the shortage was discovered by new city be a female business owner in a Gutowski took the students on a auditor Vicki Leigh Moro, will not affect the tax rates male-dominated field. She also tour of Westfield Barnes Airport, and must be submitted as part of the package to the took students on a virtual tour of accompanied by Wysocki on cam- Department of Revenue. the full service precision manu- era. He also introduced them to a “This happens occasionally. They will come back in facturing plant, where they saw flight simulator with three big a month or two and ask for the money back from stabi- machines in action in areas they screens. Keane said students lization. They’re not going to stop doing all these proj- would not have been able to visit loved that, and asked Gutowski to ects,” said At-large Councilor Dave Flaherty. in person. fly over their neighborhoods, if he Acting DPW Director Fran Cain and other water During the tour, Carlson inter- could do a barrel roll, and what department representatives held a lengthy question and A young artist creates a painting during a class viewed six employees who had happens if a plane crashes on the answer session with the City Council regarding water through ArtWorks Westfield, which is hosting an attended Westfield Technical simulator. bills. As previously stated in an interview with The online Youth Art Show. Ssubmissions are accepted Academy, and spoke about her Gutowski interviewed Airport Westfield News, the majority of increases was due to a through Dec. 27. (THE WESTFIELD NEWS FILE own path in the field. Keane said combination of a long, hot summer and drought, people PHOTO) it is important for kids to see dif- See Classroom, Page 3 being home more due to COVID, and resulting irriga- tion and water consumption. Cain also said that later this year a new functionality of the meters will go online that will allow residents to check their water usage on a daily basis if they sign up WRITERS’ SERIES: Shalom Christmas! for the free service. Cain said that residents who have concerns should By LORI SZEPELAK librarian and member of the Springfield, MA, Christmas call the office. “We’re a customer service operation; we Correspondent WhipCity Wordsmiths, has wasn’t part of my life until I have people every day that deal with water bills. All Editor’s note: 2020. While we lived in Westfield since 1988. was about 4. Hannukah was my people have to do is call the Water department,” he have all experienced changes to She has published one book, choice of December holidays, said, adding, “No one has ever had their water shut off our daily lives during the past Fredi’s Ride, inspired by Whip and I just loved it. The gentle for lack of payment in the 20 years I’ve been here.” year due to the COVID-19 pan- City Speedway memories. light from the Hannukah can- The final item on the agenda was election of council demic, we are also hopeful Currently, two books are dles brightened those weak president for 2021. At-large Councilor Cindy C. Harris about what is coming for all of “marinating” in her computer, waning December sunsets. The made a motion for Brent B. Bean II to remain presi- us in 2021. On that note, The along with several short stories simple service brought the fam- dent, which was seconded. No other nominations were Westfield News once again and essays for inclusion of a ily as one in a darkened kitchen put forward, and Flaherty made a motion to close the asked members of the WhipCity collection of words about bully- so we could enjoy the ceremo- nominations. Bean was elected unanimously. Wordsmiths to share some ing, peer pressure, and being ny of lighting the candles, “This year was interesting at best, and this council impressions and reflections for true to yourself. remember that A Great Miracle has done some great things. We’ve met more than I’ve a writers’ series which contin- Her submission is titled Happened There, and appreci- Geri Gubkin Johnson is a ever seen a Council meet in a given year, and gone ues today with Geri Gubkin “Shalom Christmas!” ate that we were together. We retired librarian and a through motions and agenda items. It’s been a great Johnson of Westfield. Born in Brooklyn, and grow- repeat the lighting of the member of the WhipCity year, although chaotic at times. Thank you for the sup- WESTFIELD — Geri ing up in a predominantly Wordsmiths. (SUBMITTED port,” Bean said. Gubkin Johnson, a retired Jewish neighborhood in See Writers' Series, Page 6 PHOTO) PAGE 2 - TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2020 WWW.THEWESTFIELDNEWS.COM THE WESTFIELD NEWS
Denise Hills-McGarry and Heather Parron get ready to distribute gift bags at Wednesday’s Candy Cane Extravaganza held at the Southwick Senior Center. Carol Laughlin receives a meal from Denise Hills-McGarry. Candy Cane Extravaganza The Southwick Senior Center hosted its annual holiday party curbside this year, with a catered boxed lunch and goodies. (MARC ST. ONGE/THE WESTFIELD NEWS)
Cars line up for the Candy Cane Extravaganza held at the Southwick Senior Center and Senior Center staff and Tucker’s Restaurant personnel get meals ready for distribution. catered by Tucker’s Restaurant. Police Logs Court Logs Major crime and incident she is picking up a trapped grey tabby cat that the vehicle operator refused medical report and bringing it to the Westfield Regional attention; Westfield District Court Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2020 Animal Shelter; 10:22 p.m.: rollover accident, Springfield Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2020 Westfield 8:06 p.m.: motor vehicle accident, Road, a caller reports that he is in a vehicle Lamier M. Owens, 23, of 13 Underwood St., 2:22 a.m.: animal complaint, Root Road, Northwest Road, a caller reports a one- that rolled over on the border of Westfield Springfield was arraigned on charges of leaving the scene a caller reports that there is a loose cow just vehicle accident with airbag deployment and West Springfield, the responding officer of property damage, operating a motor vehicle with a off the roadway, the responding officer and heavy front end damage to the vehicle, reports that this is a two-vehicle accident suspended license and operating an uninsured motor reports that the owner of the cow was the responding officer reports that a tow with one vehicle on each side of the munic- vehicle brought by Westfield police. He was released on located and that the owner would go look truck was requested to remove the vehicle ipal border, an officer reports that two tow his personal recognizance pending a Feb. 23 pre-trial for the cow later in the morning; form the scene, the responding fire captain trucks were requested for the vehicles and hearing. 11:27 a.m.: animal complaint, Pearl reports that the vehicle struck a fire hydrant that there is a large debris field around the Street, an animal control officer reports that and a tree, the responding ambulance reports accident.
THIS DAY IN HISTORY Tues., Dec. 22, 2020 is the 357th day of the year. 9 days remain until the end of the year.
Beethoven at the piano). Bastogne, Belgium, prompting the agreement that ends the violence in 2008 – An ash dike ruptured at a sol- ON THIS DAY 1851 – India's first freight train is op- famous one word reply by General the Matabeleland region known as id waste containment area in Roane erated in Roorkee, to transport mate- Anthony McAuliffe: "Nuts!" the Gukurahundi. County, Tennessee, releasing 1.1 AD 69 – Vespasian is proclaimed rial for the construction of the Gan- 1944 – World War II: The Vietnam 1989 – Communist President of Ro- billion US gallons (4,200,000 m3) of Emperor of Rome; his predecessor, ges Canal. People's Army is formed to resist mania Nicolae Ceaușescu is over- coal fly ash slurry. Vitellius, attempts to abdicate but is 1864 – American Civil War: Savan- Japanese occupation of Indochina, thrown by Ion Iliescu after days of 2010 – The repeal of the Don't ask, captured and killed at the Gemonian nah, Georgia, falls to the forces of now Vietnam. bloody confrontations. The deposed don't tell policy, the 17-year-old pol- stairs. General Sherman. 1948 – Sjafruddin Prawiranegara dictator and his wife flee Bucharest icy banning homosexuals serving 401 – Pope Innocent I is elected, the 1885 – Itō Hirobumi, a samurai, be- established the Emergency Govern- in a helicopter as protesters erupt in openly in the United States military, is only pope to succeed his father in the comes the first Prime Minister of Ja- ment of the Republic of Indonesia cheers. signed into law by President Barack office. pan. (Pemerintah Darurat Republik Indo- 1989 – Berlin's Brandenburg Gate Obama. 856 – Damghan earthquake: An 1888 – The Christmas Meeting of nesia, PDRI) in West Sumatra. re-opens after nearly 30 years, effec- 2012 – Bashir Ahmad Bilour of Awami earthquake near the Persian city of 1888, considered to be the official 1963 – The cruise ship Lakonia burns tively ending the division of East and National Party and eight others are Damghan kills an estimated 200,000 start of the Faroese independence 180 miles (290 km) north of Madeira, West Germany. killed in a Pakistan Taliban bomber people, the sixth deadliest earth- movement. Portugal with the loss of 128 lives. 1990 – Lech Wałęsa is elected Presi- suicide attack in Dhaki Nalbandi area quake in recorded history. 1890 – Cornwallis Valley Railway be- 1964 – The first test flight of the dent of Poland. near Qissa Khwani Bazaar. 880 – Luoyang, eastern capital of the gins operation between Kentville and SR-71 (Blackbird) takes place at Air 1990 – Final independence of Mar- 2016 – A study finds the VSV-EBOV Tang dynasty, is captured by rebel Kingsport, Nova Scotia. Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, Califor- shall Islands and Federated States of vaccine against the Ebola virus be- leader Huang Chao during the reign 1891 – Asteroid 323 Brucia becomes nia, United States. Micronesia after termination of trust- tween 70 and 100% effective, and of Emperor Xizong. the first asteroid discovered using 1965 – In the United Kingdom, a 70 eeship. thus making it the first proven vac- 1135 – Nearly three weeks after the photography. mph speed limit is applied to all ru- 1996 – Airborne Express Flight 827 cine against the disease. death of King Henry I of England, 1894 – The Dreyfus affair begins ral roads including motorways for the crashes near Narrows, Virginia, kill- 2017 – United Nations Security Coun- Stephen of Blois claims the throne in France, when Alfred Dreyfus is first time. ing all six people on board. cil Resolution 2397 against North Ko- and is privately crowned King of Eng- wrongly convicted of treason. 1968 – Cultural Revolution: People's 1997 – Acteal massacre: Attendees rea is unanimously approved. land. 1920 – The GOELRO economic de- Daily posted the instructions of Mao at a prayer meeting of Roman Catho- 2018 – A tsunami caused by an erup- 1216 – Pope Honorius III approves velopment plan is adopted by the 8th Zedong that "The intellectual youth lic activists for indigenous causes in tion of Anak Krakatau in Indonesia the Dominican Order through the pa- Congress of Soviets of the Russian must go to the country, and will be the small village of Acteal in the Mex- killed at least 430 people and injured pal bull of confirmation Religiosam SFSR. educated from living in rural poverty." ican state of Chiapas are massacred almost a thousand more. vitam. 1921 – Opening of Visva-Bharati 1974 – Grande Comore, Anjouan by paramilitary forces. 1769 – Sino-Burmese War: The war College, also known as Santiniketan and Mohéli vote to become the inde- 1997 – Hussein Farrah Aidid relin- TODAY'S BIRTHDAYS ends with an uneasy truce. College, now Visva Bharati Univer- pendent nation of Comoros. Mayotte quishes the disputed title of Presi- – Nguyễn Huệ proclaims him- 1788 sity, India. remains under French administra- dent of Somalia by signing the Cairo 1968 – Dina Meyer, American self Emperor Quang Trung, in effect 1937 – The Lincoln Tunnel opens to tion. Declaration, in Cairo, Egypt. It is the abolishing on his own the Lê dynasty. actress traffic in New York City. 1974 – The house of former British firstmajor step towards reconciliation 1970 – Ted Cruz, American law- 1790 – The Turkish fortress of Izmail Prime Minister Edward Heath is at- 1939 – Indian Muslims observe a in Somalia since 1991. yer and politician is stormed and captured by Alexan- "Day of Deliverance" to celebrate tacked by members of the Provision- 1999 – Just after taking off from Lon- der Suvorov and his Russian armies. the resignations of members of the al IRA. don Stansted Airport, Korean Air Car- 1976 – Jason Lane, American 1807 – The Embargo Act, forbid- Indian National Congress over their 1978 – The pivotal Third Plenum of go Flight 8509 crashes into Hatfield baseball player and coach ding trade with all foreign countries, not having been consulted over the the 11th National Congress of the Forest near Great Hallingbury, killing 1982 – Rodney Martin, American is passed by the U.S. Congress, at decision to enter World War II with Communist Party of China is held in all four people on board. sprinter the urging of President Thomas Jef- the United Kingdom. Beijing, with Deng Xiaoping revers- 2001 – Burhanuddin Rabbani, po- 1983 – Ryan Eversley, American ferson. 1940 – World War II: Himara is cap- ing Mao-era policies to pursue a pro- litical leader of the Northern Alliance, race car driver 1808 – Ludwig van Beethoven con- tured by the Greek army. gram for Chinese economic reform. hands over power in Afghanistan to 1983 – Drew Hankinson, ducts and performs in concert at the 1942 – World War II: Adolf Hitler 1984 – "Subway vigilante" Bernhard the interim government headed by Theater an der Wien, Vienna, with American wrestler signs the order to develop the V-2 Goetz shoots four would-be muggers President Hamid Karzai. 1989 – Jordin Sparks, American the premiere of his Fifth Sympho- rocket as a weapon. on a 2 express train in Manhattan – Richard Reid attempts to de- 2001 singer-songwriter and actress ny, Sixth Symphony, Fourth Piano 1944 – World War II: Battle of the section of New York, United States. stroy a passenger airliner by ignit- Concerto (performed by Beethoven Bulge: German troops demand the 1987 – In Zimbabwe, the political ing explosives hidden in his shoes 1998 – G Hannelius, American himself) and Choral Fantasy (with surrender of United States troops at parties ZANU and ZAPU reach an aboard American Airlines Flight 63. actress and singer THE WESTFIELD NEWS WWW.THEWESTFIELDNEWS.COM TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2020 - PAGE 3
PITCH MIA KATIGBAK ROE JANE EYRE Arts Beat: Hindsight is 2020: The ArtsBeat Year in Review; Part One By MARK G. AUERBACH including in its “Best of 2020”. Artistic director Rob Ruggiero The Best of 2020 Correspondend starred in an online series, Get Sauced, which invited viewers No one could have predicted the pandemic, when we were to his kitchen for chat with all kinds of personalities. Best Programming: WAM Theatre took home the prize with celebrating the arrival of 2020, but by mid-March, theatres and The Springfield Symphony, like many regional orchestras, streamings of Lisa Loomer’s play ROE, the backstory of Roe venues from Broadway to the Berkshires closed, and the arts employed a majority of free-lance musicians, all of whom lost v. Wade and Loretta FastHorse’s The Thanksgiving Play, both and creative economies tumbled down. The economic impact all sources of income and benefits with the shutdown. Instead of which had been planned before the pandemic. ROE opened was stunning, as not only arts groups closed, but thousands of of fundraising to keep themselves afloat during tough times, days after Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died. Fasthorse was the actors, musicians, technical personnel and theatre staff got they put their efforts into a Musicians Relief Fund to provide first Native American playwright to win a MacArthur “Genius” furloughed, restaurants, bars, and clubs, often employment direct support to its hurting musicians. Award, that, also announced just before opening night. Talk venues for artists closed. Overall, a blow to our community James Barry, the multi-talented actor, director, musician about relevance. It’s all in the timing. which will take a long time to reverse course. and playwright, developed a music video series, Corona Best New Play: Russian Troll Farm: A Workplace Comedy, The Bushnell was supposed to celebrate its 90th anniversary, Covers, to both pay his bills during unemployment, and to sup- Sarah Gancher’s play written for the stream about a group of but Broadway and the national tours are dark until at least next port non-profits providing services to people impacted by internet trolls who work for Russian intelligence posting fake summer. Jacob’s Pillow, already dark because of the pandemic COVID. People could request a song dedicated to someone, news to sway the 2016 election in favor of Trump. TheaterWorks, suffered a major blow, when its Doris Duke Theatre was which Barry would perform (often with his wife, the actor Tara in association with TheatreSquared and The Civiliansbrought destroyed in a fire. Sevenars Concerts faced numerous repairs Franklin and their son, Sam), and post the video to YouTube, the play to our area—a timely, brilliant drama based on true on its campus. New Century Theatre shuttered after 28 sea- He thought he’d do maybe 20 video requests; he exceeded news events. Elizabeth Williamson and Jared Mezzocchi take sons, and Holyoke’s Gateway Arts complex was both dark and 200). https://www.youtube.com/channel/ home my prize for outstanding direction, and Mezzocchi’s on the market. UCApSzmoJGWFyCq7DwjLQSKg/videos video projections were the best in the area theatres, as was You can’t keep a good theatre dark. Barrington Stage and Eddie Zitka, the ambitious Artistic Director of K&E Theater Andre Pleuss’ sound design. Honorable mention goes to Stan Berkshire Theatre Group worked with health officials and Group, managed to pull together most of the area’s community Freeman’s The Pitch, which had its world premiere at The Actors Equity to develop plans to present live performances theatres to produce an online event, The COVID Response Majestic Theater. This tense and taut drama left an impact. last summer. Their efforts brought the brilliant Mark H. Dold from Local Theatres. It showcased many local groups who Best Production of a Play: WAM Theatre’s ROE, a large to Barrington Stage in Harry Clarke, while Berkshire Theatre have difficulty getting a larger media presence, other than in scale production re-envisioned for the stream, was a tour-de- Group mounted an outdoor production of Godspell. Both the- Pioneer Valley Theatre News or In The Spotlight. The com- force thanks to Kristen Van Ginhoven’s staging and Juliana atres got national press coverage. A major gift from the family munity theatres owe Zitka a lot for being this catalyst.To see von Haubrich’s design. Honorable mentions goes to of the late Mary Anne Gross, memorialized her love of theatre the video: https://www.youtube.com/ TheaterWorks Hartford for its production of Ayad Ahktar’s The in Western Massachusetts, with $1 million plus donated to watch?v=6b7dLwfWzbE&t=2508s Who & The What, streamed from the stage of the theatre. And, those theatres to stabilize them and keep them afloat until next Berkshire Theatre Group’s Holiday Memories, sensitively summer. BTG used some of this money to mount an outdoor directed by Eric Hill, warmed up those watching outdoors. production of Holiday Memories this month. Kate Maguire, Comings and Goings Best Design Components (not mentioned above) Artistic Director and CEO of Berkshire Theatre Group was Michael Gennaro, artistic director of Goodspeed announced Ilona Somogyi’s period designs for Jane Eyre at Hartford honored with The Actors Fund 2020 Encore Fund. his retirement, and Paul Marte at The Bushnell, Katie Watts at Stage were breathtaking. Matthew E. Adelson’s lighting for Berkshire Theatre Group, Shawn Farley from The Umass Fine Holiday Memories at Berkshire Theatre Group had to compete The Innovators Arts Center, and Theresa MacNaughton from Hartford Stage with moonlight and fog outdoors, but they brought rhe warmth When the going got tough, there were innovators who left their posts. of a Depression-era Alabama holiday season to the stark changed course. Besides Berkshire Theatre Group and RIP Fred Tillis, former director of The UMass Fine Arts Stockbridge hillside. Barrington Stage, the following made major impacts. Center, and Barbara Aldrich, the FAC’s longtime concert man- TheaterWorks Hartford reimagined its season, and dropped ager; Nadine Shank, longtime pianist at the Springfield Next week: the outstanding performances of 2020. the concept of subscriptions and added memberships, offering Symphony Orchestra and the UMass Department of Music; ——— one event to its members each month, in addition to online Charles Page, founder of the Music at First Chamber Music Mark G. Auerbach studied theatre at American University concerts, chats, and more. Some of their plays were filmed on series; philanthropist and arts advocate Peggy Starr also passed and the Yale School of Drama. He’s worked for arts organiza- their stage for future streaming, others were created to stream. away. tions and reported on theatre for newspapers and radio. Mark Sarah Gancher’s Russian Troll Farm: A Workplace Comedy produces and hosts ArtsBeat TV/Radio for WCPC15 and was an incredible hit, which the New York Times ended up 89.5fm/WSKB, and is a contributor to Pioneer Valley Radio.
Classroom Continued from Page 1 Manager Christopher Willenborg, who talked about making Another upcoming Adopt a Classroom project will be with Keane said any businesses or organizations that would be the connection to careers, and how many different jobs there Science, Technology and Engineering Supervisor Lauren Figy interested in doing an Adopt a Classroom project this year are in the industry, from airport maintenance to airplane with Baypath University and a Westfield HIgh School forensics may contact her at [email protected]. mechanics. Willenborg also talked about how he got interested class. in aviation at a young age. Teachers Wroth and Roselli then encouraged the students to take a movement break while Gutowski walked over to Hangar Veteran to Veteran 2, to meet WTA Aviation teacher Galen Wilson. Wilson took Support and Assistance them on a tour of the historic hangar, and told them about the Home Health Care experience students get in his program. “It was so cool. I just thought we could never have taken 56 for Veterans kids over there to do this,” Keane said. 413-374-9760 She said every time you have a successful project it leads to [email protected] more opportunities. Gutowski agreed to do another program with the rest of the sixth graders later in the year, and leave Serving those who served, open the option for students who are especially interested to go Wright Flight President Mike Gutowski (right) and WTA and their families. on a physical tour post-COVID. Aviation instructor Galen Wilson speak to students about Local Retired Navy Hospital Corpsman providing “There have been some very neat opportunities because we Wright Flight, the WTA hangar, and WTA’s Aviation Home Health Care, transit and companionship are virtual that we wouldn’t have had,” Keane said. Maintenance Technology program. (WPS PHOTO) Youth Art Show Continued from Page 1 online,” he said. acters. Shortly after the posts, likes and hearts,” said winners will receive gift packs “Our children have been the “likes,” “shares,” and Westerlind. “Your child can for creativity and originality.” through so very much in “comments” were underway. win a prize pack that includes Parents will be notified via 2020 that we decided to Parents are asked to click on a trophy and a variety of pens, private message if their child launch the Westfield Youth the Facebook show page – pencils, paint and other good- has won. All prizes will be Art Show online to give kids http://bit.ly/2020OnlineWestfi ies.” hand-delivered in Westfield of Westfield the opportunity eldYouthArtShow – and post Sixteen winners will be before Jan. 1 to a mailbox or to share their creativity with pictures of their child’s art chosen that have the most doorstep. the community and provide a with the child’s name and age. likes and hearts, noted “Good luck and have fun,” safe and friendly platform to “Share away to get more Westerlind, adding, “Some said Westerlind. them to express themselves through art,” said Westerlind. “During these challenging times of disruption and seem- ingly unrelenting stress, the act of creation and expres- Come and Celebrate sion through art can be very comforting.” Shannon Chiba, a city art- the Real Reason for the Season! ist and board member of ArtWorks, has been the prin- ciple driver behind the youth art show as well as the initial Bishop William Byrne and the Catholic community Westfield Youth Art Show in 2019. Also, Wayne of western Massachusetts invite you this Christmastime Weatherwax, a founding to safely join us as we mark this very special holiday season. member of ArtWorks Westfield and currently a member of the Westfield With many parishes throughout our area making additional Cultural Council, has over- Mass times available so as to follow distancing guidelines, seen the art supply prizes and trophies for the show. be sure to check the Christmas Mass schedules available online at Westerlind noted that the online show on Facebook is open to all children up to age WWW.DIOSPRINGFIELD.ORG 18 who are Westfield resi- You can also celebrate Mass with Bishop Byrne on Chalice of Salvation, dents only, and all art media will be accepted. airing Christmas morning at 11 a.m. on WWLP-22News Within hours of the Facebook post announce- ment, parents were already You can also get Mass times and more with the myParish app, sharing their child’s artwork that included a mug of hot the official app of the Diocese of Springfield! chocolate, landscapes, wood- land creatures and cute char- Text the word App to 88202 or visit the app store on your Apple or Android devices to download! PAGE 4 - TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2020 WWW.THEWESTFIELDNEWS.COM THE WESTFIELD NEWS COMMENT
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Governor Baker bill would lower Homeless Cat Project needs your help unemployment insurance increases By CHRIS LISINSKI to a report summarizing the trust fund. health emergency. State House News Service The Executive Office of Labor and With the need for more unemploy- To the Editor, BOSTON - Massachusetts businesses Workforce Development estimated the ment aid outpacing money brought into While 2020 is — thankfully – coming to an end, the chal- would face smaller increases in taxes trust fund will end the year with a deficit the system, the state has had to rely in lenges that non-profit organizations face will continue well they pay to fund the state unemployment of nearly $2.4 billion, which could swell recent months on the federal govern- into 2021. And now that the cold weather has arrived, there is system over the next two years, under a to almost $4.8 billion by the end of ment. an even higher demand to assist cats in need. Cat food dona- new bill Gov. Charlie Baker announced 2021. Massachusetts has received more than tions – especially Fancy Feast and Friskies – as well as cat and on Friday. In its most recent quarterly $2.2 billion in federal loans for its unem- shelter supplies such as litter, towels/blankets, household With the state facing an unprecedent- report issued in October, the administra- ployment insurance trust fund as of cleaners and paper products and monetary donations would be ed surge in demand for joblessness aid tion projected the shortfall will trigger a Thursday, according to federal data, the most appreciated. during the COVID-19 pandemic, the change in the contribution rate from fifth-most of any state behind California, We need you now more than ever! WHCP never denies a cat unemployment insurance trust fund is schedule E to schedule G for employers, New York, Texas and Illinois. or kitten in need and your generosity will allow us to continue already in the red and relying on billions pushing the average cost per employee Those advances will accrue interest at our efforts. Donations can be dropped off or sent to 1124 East of dollars borrowed from the federal from $544 this year to $866 next year. a rate of 2.4 percent starting next year. Mountain Road, Westfield, MA 01085. Don’t have the time or government to keep jobless aid flowing. Under Baker's bill, the employer tax Baker's bill would also authorize the inclination to visit our shelter? Check out our Amazon wish Baker's legislation, which does no yet rate would remain at schedule E in 2021 state to issue special obligation bonds to list at https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ have a bill number, would freeze the and 2022 rather than jump up to sched- repay money borrowed from the federal rates employers must pay at their current ule G, as would be required under cur- ls/2UX2QSYXRP3OG. As always, we thank you for your government, supported by an unemploy- schedule, replacing a nearly 60 percent rent law. support! ment obligation assessment. The gover- increase in the average per-employee That change would limit the per- Speaking of Amazon, did you know you can also support nor said Friday that private interest rates WHCP and do your shopping at the same time through cost in 2021 with a more modest increase employee costs to $635 in 2021 and are lower and offer a better payment Amazon Smile? AmazonSmile is a website operated by of about 17 percent. $665 in 2022, according to Baker's Amazon with the same products, prices, and shopping features Business leaders have fretted about office, providing a smaller increase that schedule than borrowing from the fed- as Amazon.com. However, when you shop on AmazonSmile, the impending hikes for months, warn- the administration described as $1.3 bil- eral government. the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the pur- ing that they would struggle to hire more lion in unemployment insurance rate Another section of the bill would cre- chase price of eligible products to the charitable organization workers -- particularly if the economy relief. ate a surcharge on employers to help of your choice. Please go to www.smile.amazon.com and remains on shaky ground in early 2021 Baker urged lawmakers to make the repay interest on the federal advances, designate the Westfield Homeless Cat Project as your pre- -- if they had to pay significantly more suggested unemployment reform a pri- which will be due starting in fall 2021 ferred charity. Happy Shopping! toward the unemployment fund. ority amid the leadership scramble set and cannot be paid directly from the Please note our adjusted adoption clinic hours: Thursdays The governor's bill would also enable off by House Speaker Robert DeLeo's unemployment insurance trust fund. from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., Saturdays from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. the state to issue bonds to pay back fed- apparent impending departure. It was not immediately clear how and Sundays from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Please note that all safety eral loans that have helped keep the "We could do this in January or much the surcharge would total. protocols are followed, including facial coverings and hand unemployment insurance trust fund sol- February or March, but if you want to The hike is also scheduled to take sanitization. For more information please contact Denise at vent, a step that Baker said will reduce send a really big and positive signal to effect alongside two other substantial [email protected]. the cost Massachusetts pays in the long employees and to people who are out of cost increases: worker access to paid Denise Sinico run and guarantee benefits without ham- work and to employers, this would be an family and medical leave and a $0.75 Westfield Homeless Cat Shelter stringing businesses. incredibly positive message to send increase in the minimum wage to $13.50 "The fact that it's so much less expen- because it limits the increase in unem- per hour. sive means people get their benefits that ployment exposure to workers and it Beacon Hill leaders on several occa- they're entitled to and employers, in the also limits the hit financially that would sions, including during the Great Congressional leaders reach midst of a terrible, terrible time for so be associated with employers come Recession, agreed to freeze the unem- many of them, continue to pay what they January," Baker said. ployment insurance rates that employers pay now and don't get a big quarterly Baker filed the bill on the same day pay. Sen. Patricia Jehlen, who co-chairs $900 COVID-19 relief deal increase that could be hundreds of dol- that labor officials announced that the the Labor and Workforce Development By MICHAEL P. NORTON lars per employee," Baker said. Massachusetts unemployment Committee, said in September that Like many states across the country, rate dropped 0.7 percentage points to 6.7 State House News Service another such action is likely. Massachusetts has been hit with a deluge percent in November, mirroring the WASHINGTON DC - The months-long wait for another "Traditionally, and I think we would large COVID-19 relief package appears to be coming to an end. of unemployment claims since the pan- national rate. demic hit and prompted widespread Despite that improvement, however, want to do this again, we would need to Democrats and Republicans in Congress on Sunday freeze," Jehlen said at the time. "We announced an agreement on a $900 billion bill that, if passed, business closures in March. less than half of the jobs lost at the start Over the first 10 months of 2020, the of the crisis have been restored, and would love to freeze rather than allow- will help speed the distribution of vaccines against the killer ing it to go up during a recovery because virus and authorize $284 billion in forgivable Paycheck state's unemployment insurance trust thousands of laid-off workers in fund paid out more than $5.3 billion in Massachusetts still depend on unem- so many businesses are in trouble. But Protection Program loans. we really need help from the feds to "BREAKING: As the American people continue battling the benefits, nearly five times as much as ployment benefits to help them pay rent make that possible." coronavirus this holiday season, they will not be on their own," during the same span in 2019, according or put food on the table during the public Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell tweeted at 5:44 p.m. "Congress has just reached an agreement. We will pass another rescue package ASAP. More help is on the way." In a statement at 6:44 p.m., House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said, "Today, we have reached agreement with Republicans and the White House on an emergency coronavirus relief and omnibus package that delivers urgently needed funds to save the lives and livelihoods of the American people as the virus accelerates." They added, "The House will move swiftly to pass this legislation immedi- ately, so it can quickly be sent to the Senate and then to the President's desk for his signature. With the horrifying accelera- tion of daily infections and deaths, there is no time to waste." Schumer and Pelosi included a long list of provisions they described as "secured," including a legislative plan to end sur- prise billing for emergency and scheduled health care and $25 billion in rental assistance. Other provisions include a new round of direct payment checks worth up to $600 per adult and child and avoiding the sudden expiration of jobless benefits for millions of people and adding a $300 per week "UI enhance- ment" for Americans out of work. The agreement includes $82 billion for colleges and schools, including support for HVAC repair and replacement to mitigate virus transmission and reopen classrooms, and $10 billion for child care assistance "to help get parents back to work and keep child care providers open." "State and local governments will certainly need additional funding to prevent the senseless layoffs of heroic essential workers and critical service cuts," Pelosi and Schumer said. "The agreement provides some important new targeted funds for state and local government functions that will help alleviate their overall budget burdens. These targeted funds include the emergency resources for schools, $27 billion for state high- ways, struggling transit agencies, Amtrak and airports, $22 billion for the health-related expenses of state, local, tribal and territorial government, and an additional year of eligibility for expenses under the CARES Coronavirus Relief Fund." The agreement also includes "sweeping clean energy For the first time in months, the unemployment rate in Massachusetts equals the national rate at 6.7 percent, still higher reforms," according to Pelosi and Schumer, including "R&D than pre-pandemic levels. (Graphic: Chris Lisinski/SHNS) enhancements, efficiency incentives, and extends clean energy tax credits to create hundreds of thousands of jobs across the clean economy." Mass. jobless rate pulls even with U.S. By CHRIS LISINSKI recovered slightly less than half of the roughly 690,000 jobs State House News Service cut in March and April, according to the employer survey. BOSTON - The state's unemployment rate dropped to 6.7 Most private industries in Massachusetts reported job gains The Westfield News percent in November, a dramatic improvement from the dou- in November, led by trade, transportation and utilities with A publication of The Reminders Publishing, LLC ble-digit figures reported over the summer but still well above 6,800 and professional, scientific and business services with pre-pandemic levels. 3,500. Mike Dobbs Barbara Perry Labor officials reported a 0.7 percentage point decline in the Government shed 3,400 jobs last month in the Bay State, Managing Editor Sales Manager state's unemployment rate, from 7.4 percent in October, bring- likely reflecting the strain that many municipalities face in the Hope E. Tremblay ing the level to the lowest it has been in Massachusetts since absence of additional federal aid. Editor James Johnson-Corwin Multi-Media Manager COVID-19 wrought simultaneous health and economic crises. Without action from Congress, which is growing closer to a After months of exceeding the national average, new stimulus deal, millions of laid-off workers will lose Chris Putz Marie Brazee Massachusetts equaled the 6.7 percent unemployment rate in access to unemployment benefits at the end of December. Sports Editor Business Manager the U.S. for November. The improvements in the unemployment rate could also The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated that mask concerning factors. Based on the household survey, BLS Fran Smith Lorie Perry Massachusetts added 12,200 jobs in November, based on a estimated that the Massachusetts labor force decreased by General Manager Director of Ad Production survey of employers separate from the household survey used almost 44,000 in October, meaning those tens of thousands of to calculate unemployment rate and labor force figures. That's individuals dropped out of work or looking for work alto- slightly more than the revised increase of 9,500 added in gether. 181 Root Road, Westfield , MA 01085 October and less than the rapid stretches of growth over the The state's labor force participation rate, which reflects the summer when larger numbers of jobs came back following percentage of working-age adults who are either employed or (413)562-4181 forces business closures in the spring. seeking a job, dropped 0.8 percentage points in November to www.thewestfieldnews.com Even with the latest hires, though, Massachusetts has only 63.1 percent. THE WESTFIELD NEWS WWW.THEWESTFIELDNEWS.COM TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2020 - PAGE 5 Noble Nurses Continued from Page 1 want a fair and equitable contract.” Obituaries Baystate released the fol- Contact roxanne@thewestfieldnewsgroup • 413-562-4181 / Ext. 118 lowing statement in response Obituaries online at: westfieldnews.com/categories/obituaries to the standout: “Baystate Health is commit- ted to outstanding benefits to Gail M. DeGray our employees. As part of our WESTFIELD: Gail M. ongoing contract negotiations DeGray, 94, (1926-2020) passed with the Massachusetts Nurses away on December 18, 2020 at Association at Baystate Noble, Agawam Healthcare Center. She we have proposed creating a was born in Hartford, CT to the combined ‘earned time’ pro- late John H. and Dorothy B. gram that offers staff maxi- (Chase) Noyes and was a gradu- mum flexibility to use all paid ate of Westfield High School. time off. A similar program is She was employed as a safety in place for other Baystate officer for the dorms and cam- Health employees. pus at Westfield State College. “We are proud of our track Gail was predeceased by her record of support for employee beloved husband, Newell health needs. For example, DeGray, a son Cory N. DeGray, a daughter Bonnie during COVID-19, we have Morris, a brother Wayne Noyes and a sister Pearl paid any employee who Christman. She is survived by a daughter Marcia DeGray required time off due to a posi- of Westfield, a sister Bernadine Feldman of Southwick tive COVID-19 diagnosis or and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great- COVID-19 symptoms pending great-grandchildren. test results. Nurses are not Burial will be held at a later date in Pine Hill Cemetery. required to use sick time for www.firtionadams.com. these absences.” Noble nurses met via zoom Ann H. Reed with State Sen. John C. Velis WESTFIELD: Ann H. Reed, several weeks ago and Dubin Veteran donations 77, (1943-2020) passed away at said he hopes Velis will help Vero Hampden on Friday, them be heard. The Westfield Purple Heart Trail members donate bingo cards and personal care gifts December 18, 2020. She was “There are several elected at Holyoke Hospital for the 22 veterans from the Holyoke Soldier's Home at Holyoke born in Westfield to the late officials paying attention,” now residing there,. Also presented was a new American flag. In the photo are, Mary Merle and Dorothy Lent. She said Dubin, adding that the Argenio, Santa, Elin Zapka, George W. Barnet, Jr., and Mark W. Fedora. (EDWARD was employed for over 25 years community has been support- McLEMORE JR PHOTO) for the former Valley View ive of Baystate nurses. Nursing Home in Westfield, now Westfield Gardens. She enjoyed cooking and traveling and was a Send your local briefs to former member of the Moose The Westfield News Westfield State alumna and professors Lodge in Westfield. She is survived by her three WESTFIELD — Now, more children Becky Reed, Janet Reed and Raymond Reed, III than ever, our readers want to publish article in the Journal of and his wife Micheleen Hoar, all of Westfield, her former know about your business. As spouse Raymond Reed, IV of Westfield, her brothers, we slowly bring back local Park and Recreation Administration Richard Lent and his wife Judy and Dale Lent and his businesses, it is important to wife Patty, all of Westfield. She also leaves her brothers- share what you offer, when WESTFIELD — Westfield you decide what to do with in-law, James Reed and John Reed and his wife Loretta, and how people can make pur- State University alumna Anna the information,” said Therien ’20, and Professors LeDoux, who is also a mem- sisters-in-law, Helen Lent of Westfield, Sandy Fogg of chases or utilize your services Robert S. Bristow, Ph.D., and ber of the West Springfield’s Florida, Donna Speth and her husband Dean of Nebraska and just know that you are Timothy LeDoux, Ph.D., had Historical Commission. “It and Barbara Towle of Nebraska and several nieces and open. Are you hosting online an article published for a spe- can become part of your nephews. She was predeceased by a brother David Lent cial issue of the Journal of town’s history, your national and her mother-in-law Miriam Reed. events or offer remote servic- es? We want to know! Park and Recreation park’s history. Things that are There will be a Celebration of Life at a later date. Administration titled on the ground may have a www.firtionadams.com Send your briefs and photos to pressreleases@thewestfield “Innovative Methodologies in really strong cultural and his- news.com Park and Recreation torical significance that you Management Applying didn’t know about so it can LiDAR for Parks and now be protected.” Protected Area Management.” “We find this evidence of The article details the use of human settlement that may be Light Detection and Ranging from the 1700s or 1800s,” Mass. getting less vaccine (LiDAR) remote sensing to said Dr. Bristow, “and you do assist park managers in the feel like an amateur archeolo- planning and overseeing of gist or historian. I’m learning the land, and to learn about about the people that lived in this month than expected local history. this area and what they were doing 150 years ago.” “Park management is con- ANNA THERIEN By KATIE LANNAN First responders, the third group, can expect Currently, Dr. LeDoux and cerned with trails, campsites, the sensors’ interactions with Dr. Bristow are working on an State House News Service to begin receiving information about where to wildlife, forest health, and the objects on the surface like BOSTON - Massachusetts is now expecting get their vaccines on the state's website and encyclopedia chapter using natural environment,” said walls, cellars, and founda- LiDAR for tourism, resource to receive a little more than 145,000 Pfizer from their employers "in the next few weeks," Dr. Bristow, professor of tions. This information is COVID-19 vaccine doses by the end of the Sudders said. planning, and management. geography, planning, and sus- combined with other data Therien has completed year, a roughly 20 percent decline in the She said state officials have been "scouting tainability (GPS). “I’m fasci- recorded on the aircraft such anticipated shipment that top officials on out" locations and working with health care internships at the Harvard nated with the cultural envi- as altitude and aircraft orien- Forests, the City of Friday characterized as frustrating but among providers to set up mass vaccination sites, ronment found in parks and tation to create three-dimen- the expected bumps in the process of rolling with the goal of launching the first ones in Springfield’s Office of protected areas. When I’m sional information about fea- Planning, the Law Office of out a nationwide vaccination program. January, and first responders will be able to hiking in the woods and I tures on the ground which are "The vaccine process, much like the pan- use those sites. Jennifer M. Fournier, and the come across an old cellar then used to create high-reso- Brown University Police demic itself, is fast-moving and ever-chang- Pending emergency use authorization from hole, I want to know more lution images. The features Department. ing, and we will continue to pivot as neces- the Food and Drug Administration, about who lived there, what usually hidden under tree Founded in 1839 by Horace sary," Secretary of Health and Human Services Massachusetts expects to start receiving ship- kind of business was there.” canopies or clouds are mea- Mann, Westfield State Marylou Sudders said. ments of the vaccine developed by Cambridge- Therien and Dr. Bristow sured down to the centimeter. University is an education Massachusetts had originally expected based Moderna early next week, according to published an article in North The result is an incredibly leader committed to provid- 180,000 doses this month of the Pfizer/ Baker. He said the state ordered 120,000 first America Archaeologist in precise measurement that can ing every generation of stu- BioNTech vaccine, and Gov. Charlie Baker doses of the Moderna shots. August 2019 titled be manipulated in GIS map- dents with a learning experi- said Friday that the state had received word Bloomberg News reported Thursday that “Discovering archaeological ping software. ence built on its founding from the federal government that the next few Moderna had discarded 400,000 doses of its landscapes in parks and pro- “It’s really about energy,” principle as the first public, allocations will be smaller than anticipated -- vaccine because of a filtration issue, describ- tected areas.” Therien wanted said Dr. LeDoux. “The light co-educational college in 42,900 doses, instead of more than 59,000. ing the loss as "somewhat of a drop in the to address a local project and that is being emitted is at a America to offer an education "At this time it's not clear to us why the bucket for Moderna's overarching objective of follow her research interests certain wavelength, and how without barrier to race, gen- shipment amounts have been adjusted," he producing 500 million to 1 billion doses in in geospatial environmental that wavelength interacts with der, or economic status. This said. "We're certainly frustrated that we won't 2021" and saying the company remains on analysis for parks and pro- objects it hits depends on the spirit of innovative thinking tected areas. Therefore, she size of whatever is on the be receiving the amount that we expected in track to meet its production goal of 20 million and social responsibility is and Dr. Bristow collaborated ground or in the atmosphere the first wave, and we're working to get clarity forged in a curriculum of lib- doses this month. with Dr. LeDoux, assistant and the wavelength of that on what this means why it happens and how The first 59,475 doses of Pfizer/BioNTech eral arts and professional professor of GPS, to research energy that is being emitted. studies that creates a vital that bump will be dealt with along the way." vaccines were distributed to Massachusetts and write a second article that For example, when it hits a Overall, Baker said, he expects "that we'll hospitals this week, Baker said, with four hos- community of engaged learn- focuses on technology. tree leaf, part of that energy ers who become confident, probably end up receiving every bit as much pitals receiving shipments Monday and 17 LiDAR is a remote sensing might get bounced back and as we were expecting to receive, even if the hospitals on Tuesday. The state public health capable individuals prepared technology that enables the some of it will go through, for leadership and service to deadlines and the transactions early on tend to lab on Wednesday received 19,050 doses and user to see what is under the and some might hit the branch be a little different." He said he expects to started shipping those out to 10 smaller hospi- society. For more informa- tree canopy or clouds by and get reflected back.” tion on Westfield State learn more on a call next week with federal tals, and more distributions are planned shooting pulses of light thou- Although LiDAR has been officials. throughout the weekend, Baker said. University, visit www.west- sands of times a second from used to study major archeo- field.ma.edu, www.twitter. Pfizer released a statement Thursday saying He said hospitals are reporting "overwhelm- an aircraft to objects on logical sites, Drs. Bristow and com/westfieldstate, or https:// the company "is not having any production ing acceptance" from doctors, nurses and Earth’s surface. When the sig- LeDoux are interested in www.facebook.com/ issues with our COVID-19 vaccine, and no other workers who are eligible to be vacci- nal reflects, the return time more recent local history. WestfieldStateUniversity. shipments containing the vaccine are on hold nated in this first round. and intensity are measured by “Once you know it’s there, or delayed." So far, more than 6,200 vaccinations have "This week, we successfully shipped all 2.9 been administered across Massachusetts, • Appointments & Walk-Ins million doses that we were asked to ship by Baker said. He said the first health care staff • Men & Women Welcome the U.S. Government to the locations speci- vaccination was at Tufts Medical Center. That • 600+ Colors of Gel Polish fied by them," the statement said. "We have initial wave also includes the first state • Wedding Parties Customers are required to wear a mask at all times. millions more doses sitting in our warehouse employee to be vaccinated -- Sophal "Paula" FREE Wi-Fi but, as of now, we have not received any ship- Soth, a janitorial supervisor at Lemuel Gift certificates ment instructions for additional doses." Shattuck Hospital, who got the shot Friday • Facial Waxing • Eyebrow Tinting Under the state's phased vaccination plan, morning. • Dip Powder Sets • Lash Lifts 303 E. Main Street health care and non-clinical workers involved "The doctors, nurses and medical workers • Like & Share Us on Facebook in COVID-19 care and response work make receiving these first doses are also the same Westfield, MA @ WestfieldLuckyNails&Spa (Located between Choice Health & Price Rite) up the first priority group designated to receive people who, as we all know, have been bat- HOURS: Mon-Fri 9:30am-7:30pm; the shots. tling COVID and caring for our residents (413) 562-9400 Sat 9:30am-6:30pm; Sun 11am-5pm Long-term care centers come next, and since this all began," Baker said. "We think it's Baker said CVS and Walgreens will begin great that they are among the first to receive One coupon $ $ $ per customer. vaccinating in those facilities the week of the vaccine. It not only protects them but it $ $ 2 OFF 10 OFF 5 OFF 3 OFF 3 OFF Coupons may not Dec. 28, in a partnership with the U.S. Centers also protects the people that they take care of, Gel Full-Set Gel Fill AND Manicure and be combined with for Disease Control and Prevention. The doses it protects their families, and it's a huge step with Pedicure with any other offer. Shellac! Pedicure Regular Polish! used in that effort will come from the state's toward getting back to something a little more Pedicure Gel Fill Valid with second Pfizer allocation, he said. normal." ExPiREs 12-31-20 ExPiREs 12-31-20 ExPiREs 12-31-20 ExPiREs 12-31-20 ExPiREs 12-31-20 coupon only. PAGE 6 - TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2020 WWW.THEWESTFIELDNEWS.COM THE WESTFIELD NEWS SPORTS Barnes soars like an Eagle with dugout painting project at Papermill Field By CHRIS PUTZ families to donate their time. Barnes led this Sports Editor team of volunteers, coordinating their efforts. WESTFIELD – Christmas may be just a Together, they swept the dugouts, applied TSP few days away, but one former Westfield to de-grease, de-gloss and completely clean Little Leaguer gave ball players and local the walls; pained the inside of the dugouts sports fans alike the ultimate gift to be thank- grey and the outside red before repositioning ful for this holiday season. the benches. Brandon Barnes, 13, of Westfield spent The Lumber Center on Broad Street donat- more than 60 hours this past fall refurbishing ed the paint. the Little League Baseball dugouts at Papermill “It’s always something we wanted to do,” Field – – several other volunteers donated Westfield Little League president Scott some 240 hours of their collective time – – as LaBombard told Barnes during a recent video part of his quest to achieve Eagle Scout, the shoot, showcasing the ball player’s efforts. highest rank bestowed to scouts in the Boys “I’m really happy he did it. Time is one of the Scouts of America. best gifts that you can five. “I played Little League,” Barnes said, “so I LaBombard told Barnes he hopes that one wanted to give back to the league.” day in the future he will consider coming back Barnes began Little League Baseball around as a Little League coach, umpire or volunteer. the age of eight, playing for Expert Fitness, Barnes became a Cub Scout as a kindergart- Teddy Bear Pools, Green Meadow Lumber ner and continued that path until fifth grade and Commercial Distributing before becom- when he became a Boy Scout. For the last ing an American All-Star pitcher, catcher, and three years, he has participated in several out- Brandon Barnes, 13, of Westfield, right, and his father, Matt, paint the dugouts at Papermill shortstop a year ago. door activities like camping, kayaking, and Field during a project for Brandon’s quest to achieve Eagle Scouts for the Boy Scouts of Barnes said he enjoyed pitching the most, rock wall climbing, all while adhering to the America. (BARNES FAMILY PHOTO) explaining that it was most “fun when having scout’s oath of doing his best “to do my duty a good day. It makes the game go by faster.” to God and my country and to obey the Scout things such as first aid; community, national rently in the process of completing the paper- This past summer, Barnes made his debut in Law; to help other people at all times; to keep and world citizenship; cooking, personal fit- work, going in front of a review board, and the Greater Westfield Babe Ruth Baseball myself physically strong, mentally awake, and ness, emergency preparedness or lifesaving; participating a scout-master conference before League, playing for The Batter’s Box. morally straight.” environmental science or sustainability; per- awaiting an official announcement, welcom- Although his Little League experience was For those unfamiliar with the Scout Law, it sonal management; swimming, hiking, or ing him as an Eagle Scout. already behind him, Barnes felt he wanted to states that “a Scout is trustworthy, loyal, help- cycling; camping; and family life. “It would mean a lot because I have spent a something special to help him in his quest for ful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheer- Barnes has already completed all 21 and lot of time doing it,” Barnes said. “It is fun Eagle Scout. ful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.” more, and is now focused on completing his seeing how much I have grown and learned “I had a great experience (playing baseball) The mission of the Boy Scouts of America service project, which involved the dugout through this program.” and wanted to give back to Little League,” is to prepare young people to make ethical and painting project at Papermill Field. He is cur- Barnes aid. I want the kids in the future of moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling Little League to (have a similar time).” in them the value of the Scout Oath and Scout This past fall, Barnes organized the project, Law. rounding up family members, members from To earn the Eagle Scout rank, a Boy Scout his local church, and other scouts and their must complete 21 merit badges that focus on
The rules are quite simple: choose the winner from every game on the Sunday slate. The entrant with the most wins will be deemed the weekly winner. winning entry must also beat the Putz. The total combined points from the Sunday night game will be used to break any ties. If any ties still remain, a random drawing will used to de- termine the sole winner. Entry forms must be postmarked and mailed OR DRO PPED OFF to: reminder publishing, 181 Root Road, westfield, Ma 01085 or emailed to: [email protected] every Friday before that weekend’s football games by 11:59 p.m. One entry per household. Each weekly winner will be entered into a drawing held at season’s end. If less than 6 weeks of the 2020 pro football season is played due to Coronavirus, protests, or any act of God, there will be no end o f season drawing prizes awarded. In the event of a game not Brandon Barnes, 13 of Westfield, left, stands alongside Westfield Little League President being completed, that game will not be considered in the final tabulation for that week’s games.good luck! Scott Labombard, right, in front of the newly painted dugouts at Papermill Field. (BARNES Entry Forms will appear in the printed edition of The Westfield News daily Monday thru Friday, and weekly in FAMILY PHOTO) The Pennysaver, East Longmeadow Reminder, Agawam Reminder, Easthampton Reminder and Chicopee Herald. The Putz’ Picks and winners will be published in the Saturday edition of the Westfield News and in the following week’s editions of The Pennysaver, East Longmeadow Reminder, Agawam Reminder, Easthampton Reminder and Chicopee Herald. Picks and winners will also be posted on TheWestfieldNews.com and on TheReminder.com WEEKLY PRIZE: $25 GIFT CERTIFICATE TO DELANEY’S MARKET. – ALL WINNERS WILL BE ENTERED IN OUR END OF SEASON DRAWING – GRAND PRIZE 2ND PRIZE 3RD PRIZE SUPER BOWL PARTY $250 $100 GIFT CARD GIFT CARD IINCLUDES: Super bowl Sunday - Party for 10 people Former Little Leaguer and local Boy Scout, Brandon Barnes, right, and Westfield Little $500 VALUE League President Scott LaBombard, left, stand at home plate in between the newly painted (alcohol NOT included) dugouts at Papermill Field. The project was completed this past fall, just weeks before the winter’s first snowfall blanketed the area. (BARNES FAMILY PHOTO) 807 Williams StREET longmeadow • wilbraham 99 Springfield Road, Westfield, MA Longmeadow, MA westfield www.shortstopbarandgrill.com www.michaelszwedjewelers.cOM www.delaneysmarket.com Writers’ Series Continued from Page 1 WEEK 16 PICKS NAME: Hannukah candles for eight nights, adding I continued to secretly hold on to the idea of SUNDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2020 ______one each day, to celebrate the victory the Santa Claus, always clinging on to a faint hope. greatly outnumbered Maccabees won over the When I was older, I had the pleasure of sleep- J Atlanta @ J Kansas City larger Syrian army in circa 168 B.C.E. A vic- ing over my friend’s house on Christmas Eve. J Cleveland J N.Y. Jets ADDRESS: tory made sweeter by the miracle of one day’s It was mesmerizing, wonderful and I basked in @ ______supply of sacred oil lasting for eight. Just imag- the shadow of the twinkling Christmas tree, J Indianapolis @ J Pittsburgh ine one cellphone battery bar lasting for eight eating cookies, and playing with my friend’s ______days! After we exchanged thoughtful gifties, new Ginny dolls. When I was older, and work- J Carolina @ J Washington and counted our Hannukah Gelt (money), both ing, the pure energy my colleagues shared was ______real and chocolate), we made light and lacy memorable, special, and contagious. Believing J Chicago @ J Jacksonville Potato Latkes, served with sour cream and in Santa Claus remains one of my delights. N.Y. Giants Baltimore applesauce. Many Jewish holidays can be I learned to merge my December holiday J @ J PHONE: ______explained like this. There was a war. We beat feelings together. I married out of The Tribe, as J Cincinnati @ J Houston them. Let’s eat. they say, and I am proud of our symbiotic mix- Mail or email completed entry form to: It was impossible not to be aware of ture of lighting Shabbat, Hannukah and J Denver @ J L.A. Chargers Christmas. I was captivated, and in total awe of Christmas candles, and enjoying the cuisine of Beat the Putz not just the magic and splendor, but the magni- both holidays. I happily assemble beloved reci- J Philadelphia @ J Dallas Reminder Publishing tude of the holiday. Inviting friendly Santas pes watching Hallmark Christmas movies. were everywhere. The anticipation and excite- Delicious, comforting, familiar traditions all at J L.A. RAMS @ J Seattle 181 Root Road Westfield, MA 01085 ment of the shopping, the decorations, and the the same time. My Hannukah Menorahs and TIE BREAKER: lights were GLORIOUS. I embraced the tchotchkes are brought out with my favorite sports@thewestfieldnews.com whole concept. Christmas movies were as dear Christmas figurines and memory ridden deco- J Tennessee @ J Green Bay NOTE: 1 ENTRY PER HOUSEHOLD to me as old friends. I was always attracted to rations. The Bagel Ornament always brings a the benevolence and love in people’s eyes as smile. I get to do every Jewish girl’s dream of TOTAL POINTS:______they wished for a Merry Christmas and Peace decorating a Christmas tree. I do my best to live This contest is open to any/all readers eighteen (18) years of age or older, unless otherwise specified by Reminders Publishing, LLC. Contest is open to U.S. residents only. Reminders Publishing, LLC employees and their relatives are not eligible for the contest. Odds of winning a prize will depend on the number of qualified entries. All contest entries become the sole property of Reminders Publishing, LLC. Only one winner or on Earth. in the spirit of The Season, be generous with qualifier per household will be allowed. The decision of Reminders Publishing, LLC, is final. All contestants acknowledge as a condition of entry, that Reminders Publishing, LLC has a right to publicize or broadcast the winner’s name, character, likeness, voice, or all matters incidental herein. All prizes are non-transferable and void where prohibited by law. No cash substitution of prizes allowed. Winners understand and agree As a four-year-old, I was desperate to know my good fortune, and keep a smile all year that they are responsible for any and all taxes incurred on prizes received within the year of winning. If required by Reminders Publishing, LLC, or its affiliates, winners must sign a liability release prior to receiving their prize. Prizes will be mailed either first, second, or third class U.S. Mail at the discretion of Reminders Publishing, LLC. If the prize is to be mailed, it is the responsibly of the winners to provide Reminders the truth about Santa. How could he go to long. Publishing, LLC with a current and correct mailing address. Reminders Publishing, LLC is not responsible for, nor obligated to replace, any lost, stolen, or damaged prize sent through the U.S. Mail. If the winner is everyone’s house, I pondered in my young The energy that comes with renewing cher- instructed by Reminders Publishing, LLC or its affiliates to personally pick up their prize, it must be claimed within thirty (30) calendar days of winning. Upon pick-up of prize, proper picture identification (i.e. valid driver’s license, passport) from the winner may be required. Reminders Publishing, LLC will not notify winners of the time remaining on their prize. It is the responsibility of the winner to claim the prize within the head? So, I put my sock on the steam radiator ished, soul warming traditions heats the thirty- (30) day timeframe. All unclaimed prizes after thirty (30) days will automatically be forfeited. Reminders Publishing, LLC is at liberty to give away any unclaimed prize at the end of the thirty- (30) day grace period. In the event that a winner voluntarily chooses to not accept a prize, he/she automatically forfeits all claims to that prize. Reminders Publishing, LLC then has the right, but not the obligation, to award that in my room, and watched out my window, December chill, and bonds us closer in our path prize to a contest runner-up. Reminders Publishing, LLC may substitute another prize of equal value, in the event of non-availability of a prize. Employees of Reminders Publishing, LLC and their families or households are ineligible to enter/win any contest. All contestants shall release Reminders Publishing, LLC, its agencies, affiliates, sponsors or representatives from any and all liability and injury, financial, personal, or otherwise, waiting for Santa. I reasoned, if there is a Santa, in seeking joy in all parts of our blended lives. resulting from any contests presented by Reminders Publishing, LLC Additions or deletions to these rules may be made at the discretion of Reminders Publishing, LLC and may be enacted at any time. Contestants enter by filling out the “Beat the Putz” pick sheets, included in Monday through Friday’s editions of The Westfield News and The Original Pennysaver. Copies of entry forms will not be accepted. Contestants choose then he knows I do, I do believe in him. I fell I wish everybody the marvel of believing we one team to win each game from the list of NFL games for that particular week. The winning entry will be the one with the most wins on Sunday. In the event of a tie among more than one entry, the Sunday night game score will be used as a tie-breaker. Contestants are to choose the total number of points scored in the Sunday night game. To be given credit for the tiebreaker, the contestant must come closest to the total asleep, and in the early morning, skeptically can achieve world peace, the gift of empathy, points scored in the game. Reminders Publishing, LLC will award a maximum of one (1) prize per week. The exact number of prizes awarded each month will be decided by Reminders Publishing, LLC in its sole discretion. The prizes to be awarded each week will be determined by Reminders Publishing, LLC In the event that there are more eligible winners than the number of prizes awarded for a particular week, Reminders opened my sock. It was empty of course, but I and some light and delectable latkes with sour Publishing, LLC will randomly select one winner for that particular week. Winner is determined by most correct games won. The tiebreaker is used when more than one entry have the same number of wins. At that point, the total number of points given by the contestant will determine winner. In the event of a game not being completed, that game will not be considered in the final tabulation for that week’s games. The grand wasn’t surprised. The stocking wasn’t on the cream and applesauce with a glass of nice tea. prize winner will be selected by a random drawing of the weekly winners from the 17-week regular season. This contest is merely for entertainment purposes. It is not meant to promote or to facilitate gambling or fireplace. illegal activity. THE WESTFIELD NEWS WWW.THEWESTFIELDNEWS.COM TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2020 - PAGE 7
SPEED BUMP Dave Coverly AGNES Tony Cochran RUBES Leigh Rubin
ARCHIE Fernando Ruiz and Craig Boldman
DADDY’S HOME Tony Rubino and Gary Markstein JACQUELINE BIGAR’S STARS YOUR Contract Bridge HOROSCOPE
HAPPY BIRTHDAY for Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2020: Profound, patient and prepared, you are in it for the long haul. A project you passionately believe in begins and succeeds brilliantly in 2022. Your strongly controlled emotions will find an outlet this year. If single, you tend to be solitary, but you do fall in love this year, in May. If attached, your relationship adds much richness to your life. GEMINI is light and DUSTIN By Steve Kelley and Jeff Parker almost ethereal compared to you. The Stars Show the Kind of Day You’ll Have: 5-Dynamic; 4-Positive; 3-Average; 2-So-so; 1-Difficult ARIES (March 21-April 19) You become more assertive about pursuing career aspirations and are unusually competitive. The world is at your feet if you control irritation about financial matters and direct your attention to solving the problem. Tonight: Your health improves if you take a break from work. TAURUS (April 20-May 20) SCARY GARY Mark Buford Today is a curious combina- tion of focus on material security and mystical awakening. You are aware of different levels of reality unfolding, or life’s many marvelous dimensions. There are surprise discoveries about those to whom you’re closest. Tonight: In wonderment. GEMINI (May 21-June 20) Opportunity comes through enlisting support today. Select friends and ide- Crosswords als that will uplift you. Political interests strengthen. You could get involved in com- munity issues centering on life quality in the neighborhood. The way is clearer, and answers come. Tonight: Networking online. DOGS of C-KENNEL Mick and Mason Mastroianni CANCER (June 21-July 22) You long for success. Take plea- sure in your work for its own sake. A surprise may befall you at work. New career develop- ments turn out to be a blessing. Friends help you reach your goals. Tonight: Walk outdoors and enjoy the winter landscape. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) It’s a perfect day to brush up on skills and review old interests. Travel plans change, and a vehicle may need replacement or repair. Have alternative transportation in mind. New perspectives regarding spiritual practices are developing. Tonight: Enjoy the B.C. Mastroianni and Hart art and foods of other lands. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Reach out to those you admire. The realm of faerie is opening. Heed portents from the fey ones. Color and sound are especially important. Wear a bright gar- ment and enjoy holiday music featuring harps, panpipes and flutes. Tonight: Immense enjoy- ment. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) A relationship has wonderful potential, but it is up to you to nurture it. You must strive to resolve disputes. Be calm with troubled individuals. Keep a perspective and laugh at little problems. Approach others with ONE BIG HAPPY Rick Detorie suggestions and ideas. Tonight: Dinner with a loved one. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) A clean, organized environment aids well-being. Clear away debris. Be aware of how companions affect you; think for your- self. Those who disappointed you in the past might do so again. Acquire new knowledge and wander different pathways. Tonight: Philosophical. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) There is a zest for adventure. You are ready to experience all that life has to offer. You’re more unpredictable than usual. Children are enjoyable company. It’s the per- ANDY CAPP Mahoney, Goldsmith and Garnett fect time to plan a future with the one you love. Tonight: Date night. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Don’t put off essential repairs. Family members are restless; allow them to grow. Be flexible to cope with challenges. It’s not the time to repeat the same old patterns. If you’re not content, experiment. Tonight: Find a springboard to growth and guidance. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Neighbors are friendly but can be a bit demanding. Use care in making prom- ises. Your sense of humor helps keep relation- ships with siblings smooth. Ignore their little peccadilloes. Tonight: You will have new Cryptoquip ZACK HILL John Deering and John Newcombe insights about childhood friends and school years. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) Be realistic about purchasing on credit. Make practical decisions about your job. Don’t gamble with security. Extra reading and research enhance earning power. Your flair for communication affects your income positively. Tonight: Time spent alone is refreshing and healing. BORN TODAY Composer Giacomo Puccini (1858), rocker Maurice Gibb (1949), actor Ralph Fiennes (1962) PAGE 8 - TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2020 WWW.THEWESTFIELDNEWS.COM THE WESTFIELD NEWS
APARTMENTS FOR RENT CHIMNEY SWEEPS WESTFIELD: 3 Bedroom, Kitchen, Living Room, Bath HENTNICK Dear Annie $1300/month + utilities. CHIMNEY SWEEPS By ANNIE LANE 1st/Last/Security. Chimney repairs and rebuilds. Stainless steel 413-250-4811 caps and liner systems. Inspections, masonry work and gutter cleaning. Free estimates. In- sured. Quality work from a business you can trust. (413)848-0100, (800)793-3706. WESTFIELD More Mindful Celebrations First Floor, 1 Bedroom, Kitchen, Livingroom; Bath. NO PETS. Dear Readers: The letter from No More Balloons ment, state parks department, national parks. They $850/m, plus utilities A STEP ABOVE THE REST! caused quite a reaction, with many of you offering know all about this and can help make it very spe- 1st/Last/Security JMF CHIMNEY SERVICE suggestions for other ways of celebrating. Here is a cial. The Nature Conservancy could also help. Do it 413-250-4811 (NO TEXTS) Need chimney repair? sampling: right with experienced arborists to make sure your We do brick repair, crown Dear Annie: Bubbles are the answer instead of tree has the best chance to thrive and procreate. seals and repairs. Stainless balloons. There are bubble machines, and there are Some people buy cheap trees, plant improperly and steel liner installs, as well WESTFIELD as stainless rain caps. large hoops to make your own. Dish soap is best if then endure grief when the tree fails. We sweep all flues. you are making your own. Bubbles are beautiful and -- Gather donations for a homeless shelter, extend- Nice, well-maintained, 2 bedroom near Stove Installations. St. Mary's Church. Parking, basement Free estimates provided. iridescent. -- Bubble Lover ed care facility, animal rescue or other acts of mercy. Owner operated Dear Annie: In The Villages, Florida, we have -- Sponsor a memorial for a walkathon, bricks for storage, eat-in kitchen. No Dogs. Inex- thousands of golf carts. When someone has a birth- a new hospital, a park bench, a picnic table, a bus pensive heat. Available January 1st. Call: 413-330-2186 day, we make a parade caravan. People decorate shelter (if allowed) or any number of needed things. $850. their carts with party regalia and then take their turn -- Pay for spaying or neutering. Work with local Room for rent (same building/different ELECTRICIAN in line to drive past the hospital, senior center or the wildlife agencies to sponsor nesting boxes for birds, apartment). $500 per/month. Available home of the special person. Usually, the person is bats, butterflies and other wildlife. immediately. FLOREK'S ELECTRICAL sitting outside so we can see each other. -- Contact extended care facilities to see what their SERVICE No balloons in sight, but lots of funny gifts are left residents and employees need. Call 413-687-2813 Fully experienced for all your electrical needs, at a "gift corral" at the recipient's driveway. My dad -- Sponsor a service animal for wounded veterans in your home or business. No job too small or and I are poets, and we like writing a special poem or others needing help. too big. Electrical service upgrades, new con- struction or additions, emergency generators; for the occasion. But some paraders sing a favorite -- Contact your Humane Society for memorial APPLIANCE REPAIR New installation and maintenance service. song. Lots of veterans are here who love to hear our ideas. Fully insured/licensed. national anthem, and everyone in the caravan joins I could go on and on. Let the memories of your ALLEN ST. JEAN APPLIANCE Call Jason, Master Electrician: in. loved ones make a positive impact. And don't forget 413-568-6293 I don't like fresh-cut flowers because they die to do it again on anniversaries of their birthdays. You Repairing all major quickly. I just can't keep them alive for more than don't have to be rich to do these things. Any good brands of appliances. two days. So, I appreciate your idea of planting a done in their names keeps their memories alive. -- JAMES FERRIS ELECTRICIAN Senior discounts available. Lic.#E16303 tree. It makes a forever gift. I've attended parties May Your Hearts Find Peace 413-562-5082 Free estimate, senior discount. where we get a few people to pitch in to buy a tree Dear Hearts: What beautiful sentiment and won- Insured. 40-yrs. experience. or shrub or even seedlings. And we have people derful suggestions. Thank you! No job too small. signed up to do the planting. "Ask Me Anything: A Year of Advice From Dear ARTICLES FOR SALE Call 413-330-3682 Great idea to keep our ocean life safe from plas- Annie" is out now! Annie Lane's debut book -- fea- tics. Use reusable bags for shopping. I give them as turing favorite columns on love, friendship, family gifts with pictures to match the recipient's favorite and etiquette - is available as a paperback and FIREWOOD things or places. -- New Ideas e-book. Visit http://www.creatorspublishing.com for Dear Annie: I have many suggestions for how to more information. Send your questions for Annie AFFORDABLE FIREWOOD celebrate special occasions and help our world. Lane to [email protected]. -- Plant a tree. Contact your local parks depart- Seasoned and green. Cut, split, delivered. Any length. Now ready for immediate delivery. Senior, Veteran and bulk discounts apply! Solid Oak 42" Round Table w/4 Chairs. $300 HINTS FROM HELOISE Oak Desk 56" L X 24" W X 58" H. $175 Call 413-374-8600 Call: 413-530-4820 AUTO FOR SALE GENERAL SERVICES CASHFORCARS! We buy all cars! Junk, high-end, totaled-it doesn't matter! Get free RICHIE’S HOME IMPROVEMENTS Hang a Christmas tree! towing and same day cash! NEWER MODELS Contractor/Mechanical Services/ too! Call 844-813-0213 Handyman Dear Readers: It’s been a year for the books, FIREFIGHTER REMINDER Replacement windows, vinyl siding, roofing, TIMOTHY'S AUTO SALES gutters installed/cleaned, remodeling, painting, hasn’t it? If you are pushed for time and space and Dear Readers: A refresher on some holiday behav- flooring/carpeting, masonry, carpentry, power- want to put up a tree with a smaller footprint, you can iors, from a firefighter in St. Louis, first printed last We might have exactly what washing & ceramic tiling. Residential/commer- make one, and attach it to the wall! year: you want, if not, let us cial. No job too small. Lic#148425/Insured locate it for you! 413-746-2171/413-246-0927 Grab some evergreen garland and some damage- - Never burn wrapping paper in the fireplace. It Specializing in vehicles free, easy-to-remove picture hooks. Shape the gar- burns quickly and can give off dangerous fumes due under $4,000. WINDOW & GUTTER CLEANING land, beginning toward the ceiling, into a tree con- to chemicals used in manufacturing. by OLD SCHOOL Bartlett Street, Westfield Power washing, homes start at $99; $75 figuration, and pin with a picture hook, then work - Ribbon is an extreme choking hazard. Keep away (413)568-2261 Gutter Cleaning; 50% off Window Cleaning. your way down the wall. from pets and small children to avoid a trip to the ER Call Bob 413-896-6442. FULLYINSURED Complete the “tree” with a star on top, ornaments or the emergency veterinarian. www.windowcleanup.com that can easily hook onto the garland and even lights! - Finally, and this should be obvious, but DO NOT CAREER TRAINING It’s perfect for a child’s room, apartment or a senior use real candles on the Christmas tree, and don’t leave Computer & IT training program! Train to be- HEALTH & MEDICAL with limited space. With the damage-free picture candles burning unattended. - Heloise come Computer & Help Desk Professional! Attention oxygen therapy users! Inogen One hooks, disassembly will be a breeze. - Heloise COCKTAIL QUICKIE Grants & scholarships for qualified applicants G4 is capable of full 24/7 oxygen delivery. Only on certain programs. 888-449-1713 (M-F 8-6 2.8 pounds. Free info kit. Call 877-929-9587 TECH TALK TUESDAY Dear Heloise: To remove the skin from garlic, I put ET) Dear Heloise: I hear the term “spoiler alert” quite several cloves in a cocktail shaker and give it a quick Dental insurance - Physicians Mutual Insur- a bit. What does it mean? - Grandma Mary in Florida shake. The skins separate easily. - Wren B. in Calif. TRAINONLINETODOMEDICALBILLING! ance Company. Covers 350 procedures. Real , ever write somebody about a SWITCH IT UP Become a Medical Office Professional at CTI! insurance - not a discount plan. Get your free Grandma Mary Get trained & certified to work in months! Call dental info kit! 1-888-623-3036 great film or play you saw or a book you’ve read? Dear Heloise: I’m cleaning more nowadays, and I 888-572-6790. (M-F 8-6 ET) www.dental50plus.com/58 #6258 Before you tell about a plot twist, the downfall of a pay particular attention to light switches and door- character or the outcome of the story, you might alert knobs. These get extra wipes with the disinfecting your audience: Spoiler Alert! wipes. - Joseph T. in Conn. You’re warning the person that you might be about MOVE IT! to reveal information critical to the plot or the out- Dear Heloise: Enjoyed your moving tips this week. come of the story, so if they don’t want to know, they I would add: Ward 5 Municipal Light Board vacancy should stop reading right away! - Heloise - The IRS requires that taxpayers notify them of a WESTFIELD - Due to the resignation of the Ward 5 Municipal Light GONE PHISHING change of address. You should file Form 8822. Many Board Commissioner, there is an opening to fill the remainder of the term Dear Heloise: My bank just posted on its website a state tax authorities have a similar requirement. for the Ward 5 seat. The City Council along with the Municipal Light Board reminder: They will never text me or call me asking - If you have a professional license to practice your is accepting letters of intent and professional resumes to fill the vacancy. for personal information to “reactivate” my account profession, you will be required to notify the appli- If you are interested in being considered for the position, please send your or frozen debit card. cable state agency. letter of intent and professional resume’ to City Clerk Karen M. Fanion, 59 They remind their customers that if it sounds suspi- - When you get your new driver’s license at your Court Street, Westfield, MA 01085 or at [email protected]. cious, it probably is. - Ken R. in Texas new home, be sure to also change your voter registra- In order to qualify for the position, you must be a registered voter and live tion. - Bob in North Carolina (c)2020 by King Features Syndicate Inc. in Ward 5. All letters of intent and professional resumes’ must be received by 5 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 31, 2020. The position will be filled at a joint public meeting of the City Council and Municipal Light Board to be held Jan. 7, 2021 at 6 p.m. Applicants will be given up to five minutes to give a public statement relative to their interest and knowledge of the position. All interested appli- cants will be sent the Zoom login information prior to the meeting.
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