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Humason 75 cents with ‘Into the Arts,’ Friday and Saturday officially at Westfield announces Technical Academy run for Mayor By AMY PORTER Correspondent WESTFIELD – This weekend is Madison Curbelo answers questions following her audi- the first of two filled with music and tion for American Idol judges. (Submitted photo) of Westfield art created by students of all ages from pre-school to high school for By AMY PORTER the public to enjoy. “Into the Arts” Correspondent kicks off on Friday evening at 5:30 WESTFIELD – After telling Westfield the The Westfield News in p.m. in the Westfield Technical Academy auditorium with perfor- February that he was considering mances by the Westfield High School a run for Mayor, State Senator and Westfield Middle School jazz Donald F. Humason, Jr. teen ready to (R-Westfield) officially bands and the Highland Street Chorus. Korey Bruno, announced this morning that he Art work from every school in the Westfield High School has decided to run for Mayor of district will be displayed at the choral director take American the City of Westfield after 28 school, including pieces from every years in state government. “I want to thank Brian Sullivan pre-k, kindergarten, second and fourth grade student, lovingly SEN. DON hung by the Volunteers In Public Schools and coordinator for his service to our city as Mayor and City Councilor,” HUMASON Tina Macy, sponsors of the event. There will also be a bake Idol stage (R-Westfield) sale and 50/50 raffle. Humason said. “I was sorry to On Saturday from 10 a.m. to 12 noon will be a focus on the By LORI SZEPELAK hear that he would not be running creative arts with an interactive art demo entitled “Shadow Correspondent for re-election. That got me thinking about the position and portraits,” by WHS art teachers. WESTFIELD — Madison Curbelo has a “golden ticket” serving my hometown in a new and different way other Then have your spirits uplifted by song in the great “Spring and will soon be heading for the West Coast to follow a than as a state representative or state senator.” dream that was instilled in her by a Highland Elementary Humason said that after hearing from a number of city See Into The Arts, Page 3 School teacher several years ago. residents urging him to take this step and discussing the Curbelo, a junior at Westfield High School who just campaign with his family, he made the decision to become turned 17, will appear on this spring’s iconic singing com- a candidate for Mayor. petition – American Idol – which airs on Sundays and “I love Westfield. And I look forward to speaking with Mondays at 8 p.m. on ABC. the City Councilors, School Committee members, and Gas Our Community “All of my teachers have always been supportive of my musical career, but my fifth grade teacher, Mrs. Flinner at See Westfield Mayor, Page 3 Highland Elementary, really pushed me to make my dreams Food Pantry hosting a reality,” said Curbelo. “She always motivated me to reach for the stars and make my dreams come true. I can honestly say that without her words of encouragement, I might have clothing drive never taken my music as serious as I do now, and I owe her Light Board discusses By GREG FITZPATRICK so much for that!” Correspondent We reached Liisamaija Flinner on Wednesday morning at Inspector General report, SOUTHWICK – The Our Community Food Pantry is host- Highland Elementary and asked her for some reflections on ing a clothing drive from March 25 until April 6 in partner- her former student. ship with Savers in West Springfield. “Madison was a prolific reader and writer in fifth grade,” filling ward 3 seat According to Sally Munson, the Director of the Our said Flinner. “She returned as a middle school and, later, By PETER CURRIER Community Food Pantry, Saver’s will give the pantry money high school student coach for my after school Wednesday Correspondent for the donations they give them. Munson and her volunteers Writing Workshops. Her skills with the use of language WESTFIELD- The Municipal Light Board met will use the money to buy more groceries for the pantry and transcended into her understanding of poems and the lyrics Wednesday evening for its monthly meeting for the first their clients who need food on a daily basis. in songs. Madison exudes the confidence to sing in front of time since the sudden passing of Jane Wensley, the Ward 3 This is the third time that the Our Community Food Pantry audiences and shares her love of music inclusive of the Commissioner for the board. has hosted this event and Munson has set a goal of raising beauty of the words and the spirit of the composition. She Following a brief moment of silence for Jane, Jeff $500 from the clothing drive. is a wonder!” Wenlsey, Jane’s son, spoke during the public participation “We figure if we can stuff the van, we can raise $500,” said Curbelo, the daughter of Elizabeth and Luis Curbelo, has portion of the meeting. Jeff announced his intention to run Munson. been watching American Idol for years. for the Ward 3 seat left behind by his mother. Our Community Food Pantry is seeking clothes, shoes, “Every time the show would come on my parents would “I just came here tonight to express my intentions to run towels, sheets, and other similar accessories that will be tell me that I could do that one day,” said Curbelo, adding, for my mother’s position on the board,” said Wensley, “I am brought to Savers who will then sell the items returning the “who would’ve thought that they were really predicting my asking for your support in the upcoming vote.” money to the Our Community Food Pantry. future.” See Light Board, Page 3 See Food Pantry, Page 5 See American Idol, Page 6 Community news comes alive When through Valley Eye Radio By LORI SZEPELAK Two Correspondent SPRINGFIELD-In retirement, Kathy Sinclair is sharing her passion of reading with area residents Worlds who are visually impaired through Valley Eye Radio. For more than six years, Sinclair, of Westfield, has spent an average of two hours a week mostly reading Met local newspapers. “It’s like old-fashioned radio theater,” said Sinclair, Gail Usher, research his- noting that the experience is not only rewarding but necessary because of so torian, poses with some many in the region who depend on this invaluable resource. of the artifacts she dis- Volunteers like Sinclair are desperately needed, according to Harold played during her talk Anderson of Valley Eye Radio. Wednesday night at “It is common for those with visual and other disabilities to face chal- Westfield State lenges of social isolation and loneliness and I’ve met a number of our listen- University. See more ers and people who have told me what this service means to them,” said photos Page 8. (Photo by Marc St.Onge) See Valley Eye Radio, Page 2 Scotts® 4-Step® Lawn Care Program STORE HOURS Mon.–Fri. 8am–8pm, Sat. 8am–7pm Sun. 9am–5pm Give your lawn a WESTFIELD four-course meal 2 Free St. For details, visit rockys.com/scotts Save $20 413-568-9251 10.875x2 WEST NEWS 1902135_ROCKYS-MarchScotts4StepPrintAds.indd 2 2/26/19 3:42 PM PAGE 2 - THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 2019 WWW.THEWESTFIELDNEWS.COM THE WESTFIELD NEWS Valley Eye Radio Continued from Page 1 Anderson. along with other presentations to our listeners who are Anderson began with Valley Eye Radio (known often not able to attend themselves due to their dis- originally as Valley Radio Reading Service) in the ability.” summer of 2015 as a part-time, fill-in board operator. Sinclair shared a similar sentiment. Since then, his duties have expanded and is now the “Reading couldn’t be easier and it only takes two to full-time programming coordinator. three hours out of one’s week,” said Sinclair, adding Anderson noted he doesn’t want anyone to go with- that everyone reads at their own pace so there is no out the connection of what’s happening in their com- reason to feel intimidated. “Knowing this service munity. makes a big difference for others gives me great joy.” “My ultimate desire is that Valley Eye Radio reach The studio is located in the basement of the WGBY all those who need our service in the Pioneer Valley TV building at 44 Hampden St. Volunteers can access and be for all our listeners something they would still the building by parking for free in the WGBY parking enjoy listening to even if they didn’t have a disability,” lot. said Anderson. “Although most all of our volunteers come to our Anderson added he takes his role “personally” and studios to read, some from a pretty good distance Kathy Sinclair of Westfield has been a reader for Valley Eye Radio for knows the importance of making a difference in some- away, we have some volunteers who do their record- more than six years.