April 23, 2021 Local News

Serving the city HOLYOKE since 1995 FREE the April 23, 2021 Local news. Local stories. Local advertisers. SEE PAGES 12 & 13 A TURLEY PUBLICATION ❙ www.turley.com [email protected] www.sun.turley.com Peck Neal lauds federal aid for Holyoke The Holyoke Public discuss the American Rescue ployment compensation, and Murphy a chance to determine project plan and the $72 million it’s small business credit initiative. what the city’s priorities are, Schools are also providing to Holyoke. While larger funds for to which he says he’s grateful receiving significant The $1.6 trillion plan out- these categories have been to have the opportunity and to move lines relief and aid for fami- created through the American chance to help to city spend funds from the lies and cities; giving econom- Rescue Plan Neal explained the money they receive, and do American Rescue Plan ic impact payments, child tax that with the money the city it well. forward credits, state and local fiscal gets and with guidelines “The package includes By Shelby Macri recovery funds, capital project based on the Community $5.3 billion of direct relief to By Shelby Macri [email protected] funds, homeowner assistance Development Block Grant pro- the state, couple that with an [email protected] funds and emergency rental gram; officials will be able to additional $2.6 billion and, I HOLYOKE – assistance, and business funds. use this money on multiple think when you add up all the HOLYOKE – The Congressman Richard Neal Like the employee retention problems and issues within the numbers it’s about $8.5 bil- Massachusetts School Building visited Holyoke last Friday to credit, paid leave credit, unem- city. This gives Mayor Terence lion directly to the common Association announced on wealth of Massachusetts,” Neal Apr. 14 that William R. Peck said. “For the City of Holyoke Middle School has been invited almost $32 million in direct to their eligibility period. and flexible aid, in addition The Holyoke Public $42 million for Holyoke Public Schools have worked with Schools. This is a big deal for the MSBA on multiple proj- me; I feel very strongly about ects over the years, including this issue, Holyoke Public inviting three other Holyoke Schools.” schools to their Accelerated Neal went to Springfield Repair program this past public schools and understands February, for roof replace- what it means to have upward ments. Currently the MSBA mobility and opportunities for board of Directors voted to the students, to give them a invite the Peck School to the chance to perform as well as Eligibility Period, which is the people know they can. first of eight modules. Neal said helping schools, Director of External with the determination and Affairs Maria Puopolo said a From left; City Councilors Rebecca Lisi, Todd McGee, Richard Neal, City Clerk Brenna Murphy McGee, Acting dedication of the city officials Mayor Terence Murphy, and Councilors Peter Tallman, and Mike Sullivan join the Congressman to talk. See PECK page 4 Photos by Shelby Macri See AID page 8 History in Holyoke: Kenilworth Castle KNIGHTS TAKE ON MUSTANGS By Pat Counter It belonged to E.C. Taft who building appeared immense Special to The Holyoke Sun was the founder of the Albion from the outside although it Paper Co. and was one of the contained only 12 rooms. enilworth. the very wealthiest men in Holyoke. Some say the exterior name breathes of The Tafts, at the time of the was a replica of the Gladstone Kknights in shining castle’s construction, lived in residence in England, but armor and damsels in distress. a palatial residence on the cor- others believe it was derived Kenilworth with its turrets and ner of Elm and Suffolk Streets. from many castles, including battlements, was the stuff of Kenilworth was to be their England’s Kenilworth. which fairy tales were made. summer home. The interior resembled a Until 1959, Holyoke’s The castle site originally German hunting lodge, which version of the famed English was a large farm that was with- was unique for this type of castle sat high on a hill off in the Northampton City limits. structure. The first floor con- Northampton Street command- Taft bought all the surround- sisted of a dining room, living a view of the Connecticut ing land, then built an artificial ing room and a kitchen in the River. knoll so his castle would sit rear. The three front rooms Construction on the castle, higher than surrounding land were elaboratey paneled and as it was known locally, began and buildings. He personally the ceiling of the reception early in 1894 and was com- supervised construction. As hall was not only paneled, but pleted late the following year. work progressed in 1895, the was also frescoed in beautiful patterns. Furnishings came from all over the world. Taft was a world traveler and he brought back mementos to fill the castle. Among them were oil paintings and marble statues, china from Austria, furniture from England and carpets from Turkey and Persia. Over the great fireplace hung a set of ancient Russian armor and in a nearby corner stood two nine- foot jousting lances from the English feudal period. One of the most beautiful sets of china came from England and was hand painted with pictures of English castles. Adrix Madera fights through the Monson defense for a shot. Holyoke defeated Monson in a matchup at home last week. More photos on Kenilworth Castle Submitted photo See KENILWORTH, page 5 page 9. Photo by David Henry www.sweetdogphotos.com ◗ In The News OUTDOOR SERVICES El Corazón mural projects on display HOLYOKE – El Corazón / The Springfield. of the surrounding neighborhoods. El Heart of Holyoke Cultural Place keep- The three Storefront Installations Corazón/ The Heart of Holyoke aims ing project is opening the second phase have been produced under the artis- to develop spaces and places that are of public art installations for view next tic leadership of Shey Rivera Rios, reflective of the Center City communi- week! This phase of work includes with collaborating artists Madeline ty, celebrate cultural heritage, and pro- Large Scale Photo Banners on four Medina, Yadilette Rivera-Colón, and mote economic opportunity in the city. buildings along Main Street, a Panel Chelvanaya Gabriel. Rivera (pronouns: El Corazón / The Heart of Holyoke Mural project on the corner of Sergeant they/them) is an interdisciplinary artis possible through the generous sup- & Main Street, and two Storefront ist, arts administrator, and commu- port from community members in Installation Projects. nity organizer living in Providence, and outside of Holyoke who donated The artworks are being installed RI. Rivera was invited to be part of through the “Commonwealth Places” this week with three walking tours El Corazón project by the Advisory Crowdfunding Campaign in spring scheduled for the weekend of April 23 Committee of local community leaders 2020. The crowdfunding campaign and 24. Covid-safe, socially distanced spearheading this place-keeping proj- raised a total of $25,260, which was tours will take place on Saturday, April ect. In addition to creating and coor- matched with a $20,000 grant by the 24 from 11 a.m. to 12 noon and from 2 dinating the Storefront Installations, Massachusetts Development & Finance to 3 p.m. and on Sunday, April 25 from Rivera has advised the artist selection Agency (Mass Development). The City 2 to 3 p.m. process and has provided mentorship of Holyoke, the National Endowment Please register online to reserve a during the development of the artworks. for the Arts, Holyoke Local Cultural spot on a walking tour by Friday, April Two Storefront Installations Council, Mass Cultural Council, and 23: http://bit.ly/corazonwalkingtour are located at Nueva Esperanza, Inc our Artistic Director, The Center The Large Scale Photo Banners on Main Street, and one is located at for Design Engagement (CDE) are features work by four local artists: the Center for Design Engagement on key partners for this project. CDE • Michelle Falcón Fontánez is a Dwight Street. is a non-profit community & design multimedia Boricua artist and activ- Artists whose work are included in resource center in Holyoke, MA pro- ist from Holyoke, MA. She creates the storefront projects include: viding progressive design, innovative work in photography, film, theater, and • Chelvanaya “Naya” Gabriel is public art, and civic engagement, par- installation art. a visual artivist, multimedia story- ticularly in underrepresented communi- • Emma G Mesa-Melendez is an teller whose work is interwoven with ties. Key CDE personnel on this project artist who uses portraiture to depict social justice facilitation and communi- are Directors Joseph Krupczynski and social and historical subject matter and ty-building activities. Caryn Brause. The City of Holyoke’s celebrates national heroes that inspire • Dr. Yadilette Rivera-Colón is a Office of Planning & Economic social causes. native of Puerto Rico, a researcher, and Development (OPED) is the lead City • Dream Collective, an ever-evolv- an educator at Bay Path University. agency on this project. ing collective of trans/queer people Rivera-Colon combines traditional Other partners include Mass fighting for liberation for all, partic- practices with modern elements to cre- Development, Nueva Esperanza, ularly Black, Indigenous, trans/queer ate Vejigante masks that tell the stories Inc., Holyoke Gas and Electric, people of color through art and com- of her ancestors. the Member Organizations of the El munity initiatives. • Madeline Medina is an entrepre- Corazón Advisory Board including • Carmen (Yolanda) González, is neur that composes artworks made with Enlace de Familias, South Holyoke an artist, Holyoke native, and owner of artificial flowers. Neighborhood Association, One Creativity Events/Art. El Corazón / The Heart of Holyoke Holyoke Community Development The Panel Mural Project will fea- is a cultural place-keeping project cele- Corporation, Providence Ministries, ture the work of Frankie Borrero, a brating the Puerto Rican Cultural Area Holyoke Media, Paper City Clothing Puerto Rican artist born in New York of Holyoke.

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