A Hilltowns Halloween!
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“Elections belong to the people.” — Abraham Lincoln Country JournalDevoted to the Needs of the Hilltowns Becket, Blandford, Chester, Chesterfield, Cummington, Goshen, Huntington, Middlefield, Montgomery, Otis, Plainfield, Russell, Sandisfield, Westhampton, Williamsburg, Worthington A TURLEY PUBLICATION ❙ www.turley.com November 5, 2020 ❙ Vol. 42, No. 28 ❙ 75¢ www.countryjournal.turley.com WORTHINGTON A Hilltowns Halloween! CHESTER Licenses Trunk-or-treat focus of community effort By Shelby Macri bylaw The Recreation Committee held a trunk-or-treat for Halloween at the Emery Street Ball Field, where a one-way path was set up for fami- hearing lies to safely dress up and pikck up candy. There were cars set up one By Peter Spotts parking space or more away from each other to maintain social dis- The discussion of the tance. proposed Marijuana Bylaw There were plastic pumpkins focused heavily around the set up in between cars to make it number of licenses allowable obvious that cars couldn’t park next in town at a Planning Board to each other. People donated their public hearing on Friday, jack-o-lanterns to Kathy Engwer to Oct. 30. help line the entrance of the trunk- The bylaw as writ- ten would allow licenses TRUNK-OR-TREAT, page 8 equal to 20% of the number From left, Hampshire Regional High School Seniors Larry Weeks, Ashlynn Packey, Jerry Creek, and of liquor licenses in town, Grace Stanek are a group of superheroes for the Senior Halloween Party on Monday, Nov. 2. See HAMPSHIRE which is five. This means more photos on page 10. Photos by Shelby Macri. there would be one license for a marijuana retail estab- lishment. Remote lessons “It’d be the same thing as having one liquor license open opportunity in town,” resident Cai Walkowiak said. “Are you By Peter Spotts going to give that to Corner’s or are you going to give that The Hampshire Regional School to Liston’s? There’s a differ- Committee is looking to make the best ence in services offered.” of the lengthy remote learning schools “What if someone else and teachers have adjusted to since wanted to apply, could we do March and turn snow days into remote a waiver to allow it to round opportunities to keep the school year up?” said Planning Board form getting extended into the summer. Chairman Amy Wang. Pioneer Valley Planning REMOTE, page 11 Commission Senior Planner Ken Comia explained the Left, Ethan Davenport welcomes trunk-or-treaters with a dinosaur and a cat during the trunk- HUNTINGTON language used in this case is or-treat event hosted by the Chester Recreation Committee at Emery Field on Saturday Oct. 31. Right, Kate Dahill carries her tiger, Luke, during the Worthington Halloween parade on Saturday, LICENSES, page 11 Oct. 31. More photos page 7 and 12. Photo by Peter Spotts Truck ready for HAMPSHIRE winter work By Peter Spotts Seniors don masks for festive Halloween celebration After a couple tense months wait- By Shelby Macri different to celebrate every with the chance of receiving quick picture. As Smidy ing for word on repairs to the Highway year. a gift card, amongst other photographed the costumes, Department’s one-ton pickup truck, The seniors at “This is something treats like candy. Hallett another staff member wrote Highway Superintendent Charles Hampshire Regional were we’ve done every year; helped to hand out the down the costumes as a way Dazelle notified the Selectboard on able to dress up in cos- we did this when I went doughnut’s while the other to keep track of who dressed Oct. 29 it is ready to go for the winter. tumes, and enjoy some time to school here,” Principal class advisor, Chris Butler, as what. The truck failed a state inspec- outside with hot chocolate Kristen Smidy said. “I helped to hand out the hot There were group cos- tion earlier this year due to a cracked and doughnuts during their remember dressing up and chocolate to the students. tumes like the Wizard of Oz, frame, leading the Selectboard to Halloween party on Monday, celebrating, so it’s great that Smidy had the seniors where even the good witch, have to pull it from the active fleet. Nov. 2. Awards were given we’re able to hold something take a lap around the school wicked witch, and Toto were Following the welding of the frame, out for the best singular, duo, for them today.” to get their blood pump- represented by someone. A the shop spent a couple weeks in shop and group costumes as well. Class Advisor Kim ing, and had then form a few people dressed up as getting mechanical work done to be The Halloween party is Hallett put together 100 line once they got back to characters from the Disney ready for inspection. a tradition in the school, an goodie-bags for the seniors, the courtyard. Each person, TV show Phineas and Ferb, “We got it back. Mechanics been annual opportunity for the and she put 10 gift cards in whether as a single or group two students even hand done, welding’s been done, the red seniors dressing up, while random bags. The seniors costume, took their turn to class advisors do something were able to pick a number pose for Smidy to take a MASKS, page 11 TRUCK, page 2 Becket ............................6 Goshen ...........................6 Obituary ........................14 Russell............................6 Blandford ........................3 Hilltowns ........................2 Opinion .......................4, 5 Schools & Youth ............11 Business Directory ........12 Huntington ......................2 Otis .................................6 Westhampton .................6 Chester ...........................8 Middlefield ......................6 Public Notices ...............14 Williamsburg ...................6 Classifieds ....................15 Montgomery ...................6 Puzzle Page ..................13 Worthington ............11, 12 PAGE 12 page 2 Country Journal • Thursday, November 5, 2020 HILLTOWNS Hilltown Holiday Help looking for donors this month For more than 20 years local families need as the economic effects of the pan- dents, donors, and staff. For families in HCHC Finance Office at 58 Old North have received help with gifts for their chil- demic have had a great impact on local need, wish lists will be available through Road, Worthington, MA 01098, with dren through a community project called families. Hilltown Community Center staff from checks made out to Hilltown Community Hilltown Holiday Help. Children of fam- Holiday Help is currently looking for Monday, Nov. 2 through Monday, Nov. 30 Health Centers and Holiday Help in the ilies with low to moderate income in the donors. This is a community effort. Local via telephone, email, mail, or Zoom, or at memo. hilltowns are eligible to receive clothing, businesses, schools, churches, organiza- select locations throughout the hilltowns. If someone is unable to commit to books and toys. tions, and area residents are invited to help Families with children from newborns becoming a sponsor this year, please look This effort is organized by the with fundraising and shopping to provide through the age of 12 may be eligible. for the National Honor Society’s fundrais- Hilltown Family Center and Hilltown gifts to someone in need in local com- Proof of residency and birth certificates er or consider donating money or volun- Social Services programs in conjunction munities. Hilltown Holiday Help has also or social security cards for children. Gifts teering to deliver — a great opportunity with the National Honor Society with con- found recipients for holiday meals, cords will be distributed on Thursday, Dec. 10, for someone to channel their inner Santa. tributions from other organizations and of wood, help with utility bills, gift cards, through contactless curbside pickup or If someone’s interested in donating individuals throughout the hilltowns and gifts for teens and adults, and other items delivery. or have questions, please contact Susan at beyond. Last year, we were able to pro- when provided. For donors, please arrange for a drop 413-667-2203, ext. 311 and slebarron@ vide gifts for 96 children from 52 fami- This year, the operation will be a little off time with staff or send monetary dona- hchcweb.org, or Kim at 413-685-3500 and lies. This year, we expect an even higher different for the safety of families, stu- tions to the Attention of Kim Savery c/o [email protected]. Children’s fund auction Public comments sought on Hilltown Land Trust’s accreditation renewal online until Friday, Nov. 13 The land trust accreditation program The Commission invites public input The Chesterfield-Goshen The auction is active now and bid- recognizes land conservation organiza- and accepts signed, written comments on Children’s Fund is hosting an online ding will end on Nov. 13th at 8 p.m. tions that meet national quality standards pending applications. Comments must fundraising auction. The fund’s mis- All proceeds directly benefit the fund. for protecting important natural places relate to how Hilltown Land Trust com- sion is to ensure all school-age chil- Monetary donations may also be made and working lands forever. Hilltown Land plies with national quality standards. dren in the towns of Chesterfield and on the auction website or contact cgc- Trust is pleased to announce it is apply- These standards address the ethical and Goshen and aims to provide winter [email protected] for more ing for renewal of accreditation. A public technical operation of a land trust. For the gear, clothing, and/or a special toy for information. The auction website is comment period is now open. full list of standards see www.landtrustac- the children on their list, and this year cgcf.betterworld.org/auctions/chester- The Land Trust Accreditation creditation.org/help-and-resources/indica- is especially challenging. field-goshen-children-s-f. Commission, an independent program tor-practices. of the Land Trust Alliance, conducts an To learn more about the accreditation extensive review of each applicant’s poli- program and to submit a comment, visit cies and programs.