TONIGHT Light rain. Low of 40. Search for The Westfield News The Westfield “THERE SearchIS, I T forHINK The, NOWestfieldTHING News TODAY IN WESTFIELD News Westfield350.com The WestfieldNews IN THE WORLD MORE FUTILE HISTORY: Serving Westfield, Southwick, and surrounding Hilltowns THAN THE Att“TEMPIMET TO IS FIND THE OU ONLYT WEATHER 1824 - Westfield’s HOW A TASK SHOULDCRITIC BE WITHOUTDONE TONIGHT first Newspaper, WHEN ONE HAS AMBITIONNOT YET .” DECIDED WHAT THE TASK IS.” Partly Cloudy. “The Hampden Register.” Search for TheJOHN Westfield STEINBECK News Low of 55. Westfield350.com Thewww.thewestfieldnews.com WestfieldNews - ALEXANDER MEIKLEJOHN Serving Westfield, Southwick, and surrounding Hilltowns “TIME IS THE ONLY WEATHERVOL. 86 NO. 151 TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 2017 CRITIC 75WITHOUT cents VOL. 87 NO. 41 75 Cents TONIGHT MONDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2018 AMBITION.” Partly Cloudy. JOHN STEINBECK Low of 55. www.thewestfieldnews.com VOL.Five-car 86 NO. 151 accident TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 2017 75 cents in Southwick By GREG FITZPATRICK Correspondent SOUTHWICK – Emergency personnel responded to a five-car accident in the area of 299 College Hwy at around 12:15 on Sunday afternoon. According to Southwick Dispatch, at least a couple of adults and a few minors were involved in the crash. Adults and minors were taken to area hospitals and each suffered non life-threatening injuries. Southwick first responders received mutual aid from Agawam and Westfield ambulance crews due to the large amount of people involved in the accident. The cause of the crash is being investigated by the Southwick Police Department. Free tax prep available for Hilltown residents By AMY PORTER Correspondent HUNTINGTON, CHESTER – Free tax preparation and electronic filing is available for Hilltowns residents with household incomes of $54,000 or less, at various locations throughout the Hilltowns. Taxes are prepared and e-filed at no cost by trained Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) volunteers, and reviewed by experienced tax professionals, according to Granville volunteer firefighters Taylor Warren and Cole Provost both graduated from the Connecticut Fire Academy. VITA program coordinator Michele Kenney. (Photo courtesy of Granville Fire Department) “The VITA Volunteer income tax assistance program focuses on low and moderate income households, to insure that they receive the tax credits that they are eligible for, such as Earned income credit, child care credits, and the senior Granville firefighters receive certifications circuit breaker tax credit for low income senior citizens,” said By GREG FITZPATRICK Kenney. “When they come out of firefighter next step in her career. Correspondent Hilltown dates and locations include Thursdays from 1 to 1, they are exposed to all the elements “It’s really exciting for me,” said GRANVILLE – Two volunteers of 4 p.m. at the Huntington Food Pantry on 63 Old Chester of firefighting,” said Ripley. Warren. “I’m hoping to get some the Granville Fire Department Road, and Fridays from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Village Provost and Warren graduated from experience and help this community received their firefighter 1 certifica- Enterprise Center, 26 Main Street in Chester. the same class at the Connecticut Fire the best that I can.” tions last week. Cole Provost and The program is made possible through a partnership Academy in Hartford. The academy With the hope of being a police offi- Taylor Warren are now certified inte- between the Hilltown CDC and the Berkshire County United started in September and finished dur- cer in the future, Provost got into rior firefighters, which means they can Way. To participate, call the Hilltown CDC for an appoint- ing the first week of December. firefighting in order to gain valuable battle any fire that occurs inside a ment at 413-296-4536 ext 100. Only Standard 1040 returns The academy consisted of a mix of experience in emergency services. home. are being offered this first year, which does not include prior two live burnings, numerous practical “It’s nice to be official and be able It’s a step that Granville Fire Chief years’ tax returns, Schedule A Itemized Deductions, or trainings, and also classroom training. to give back to the community,” said Matt Ripley sees as a benefit for both Schedule C, business returns. Having aspirations to become a Provost. “It just feels nice to be a big- individuals and the department. paramedic, Warren is eager to take the ger part of the picture.” WSU to present student production of ‘Carrie: the Musical’ By TAYLOR CHOQUETTE Intern, WSU ’18 WESTFIELD – On March 1-3, the Musical Theatre Guild at Westfield State University will be putting on their production of Carrie: the Musical. The Village Enterprise Center at 25 Main Street in Once a semester, the WSU Musical Theatre Guild puts on a Chester, one of the locations for VITA tax preparation. production that is entirely student run. “It’s versatile,” said Abbey Pallends, who is co-directing Carrie with Glenna Forgue. Pallends continued to describe what it’s like to be a part of this production, “everyone does everything.” Each semester, the directors must pitch three musicals to the Musical Theatre Guild board, and only one is selected. This ‘Exciting’ plans for spring, the group’s first choice, Carrie, was selected. “It coincides with the movie, they just put it to music,” stage manager Emma Members of the production crew of Westfield State Gaudreau explained the horror musical. University’s performance of Carrie: The Musical look over Grandmothers’ Garden; On Saturday, the seventeen-person cast, along with their direc- the script during a rehearsal in Ely. Pictured are (l-r) Abbey tors and stage manager built their entire set on Dever Stage, Pallends, Emma Gaudreau, and Glenna Forgue. (Photo by helping hands sought where they will now be able to rehearse until opening night. Prior Taylor Choquette) By LORI SZEPELAK to this they had been rehearsing four days a week in classrooms weeks as they finally get to rehearse on the stage, the cast and crew Correspondent in Bates Hall and the Student Government Association Room in are enjoying their time in rehearsals. “It’s fun. Honestly, it’s some- WESTFIELD-With “exciting” plans for this spring at Ely Campus Center. thing I look forward to everyday,” said Ceara Walsh, a freshman Grandmothers’ Garden, John DeFeo hopes area residents “It’s an adjustment,” Gaudreau explained the transition from playing Sue Snell. rehearsing in classrooms to performing on stage, “It’s hard to Carrie will run for four shows over the weekend of March 1. A will consider donning garden gloves to help in the volun- rehearse in small classrooms, and then get on stage and have all teer effort. showing will begin at 7:30 p.m. each night and there will be a 2 this space to work with.” p.m. matinee on Saturday, March 3. Tickets are $2 for students and “We are in dire need of volun- Despite the adjustment they will be facing in the next two teers,” said DeFeo, noting that the $5 for general admission. current workforce is “dwindling.” By the end of April or early May, The cast of DeFeo said volunteers will resume Westfield State work on Wednesdays and Saturdays University’s, from 8 a.m. to approximately noon. Carrie: The Physical tasks will range from Musical, led by weeding, transplanting and pruning choreographer to deadheading. Volunteers are need- Glenna “Volunteers can work the entire ed to continue the Forgue, time or any length of time that upkeep of rehearses the works for them,” said DeFeo, add- Grandmothers’ prom musical ing that all tools are provided so Garden in Westfield. number. (Photo by volunteers only need to bring work (Submitted photo) gloves and are encouraged to also Taylor Choquette) bring a bottle of water to stay hydrated. Since its creation in the 1930’s, Grandmothers’ Garden has been lovingly operated and maintained by volunteers. Located off Smith Avenue, the colonial revival style garden is open to the public and several events are conducted each year including the popular Garden Party and Tour to raise funds for ongoing maintenance. See Grandmothers’ Garden, Page 3 PAGE 2 - MONDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2018 WWW.THEWESTFIELDNEWS.COM THE WESTFIELD NEWS 1669 1770 1775 1775 1792 1783 1741 1780 1810 WESTFIELD SOUTHWICK HUNTINGTON GRANVILLE RUSSELL CHESTER BLANDFORD MONTGOMERY TOLLAND AROUND TOWN Submit your Around Town News to [email protected] Changing the conversation about ‘Guidance’ HUNTIngton – For many adults, the underserved. In the past, Guidance Counselors year, the school counselors also provide term “Guidance Counselor” brings up images were also trained to ‘guide’ students toward a numerous opportunities for students to think of high school class scheduling and having specific career path, to address a national about life after school. They host visits from transcripts mailed to colleges. Perhaps for that shortage in teachers or medical personnel. colleges, post-grad career training programs, reason, the term ‘Guidance Counselor’ has Now, career paths are much more student- and branches of the military. An annual col- become defunct, and was officially changed directed than staff advised. lege and career week is held in November, by the Massachusetts Board of Elementary “Gateway has a college-going culture, but with instant admissions offered for seniors and Secondary Education in June 2017. also supports alternatives like military service, and a wrap-up Mass College Acceptance As we celebrate National School Counseling taking a GAP year, or going directly into a Celebration to recognize all of the seniors who Week (February 5 – 9) we are happy to job,” added Wasiak. have been accepted to college before the announce the new term: School Counselor, Like many school counselors in high Thanksgiving Break. A junior seminar pro- which the American School Counseling schools, Wasiak and Case follow the guide- vides additional college and career explora- Association (ASCA) believes more accurately lines set under the Massachusetts Model for tions, college search and application training, represents the training, expertise and work of Comprehensive School Counseling, or resume building and other activities.