PRSRT STD Belchertown, Granby & Amherst U.S. POSTAGE PAID PALMER, MA PERMIT NO. 22 ECR-WSS LOCAL POSTAL CUSTOMER THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2020 ENTINELYOUR HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER SINCE 1915 A TURLEY PUBLICATIONS ❙ www.turley.com Volume 105 • Number 39 www.sentinel.turley.com This year was unprecedented on many levels, namely due to the novel coronavi- rus outbreak, which prompted business and school closures across the state in March. But 2020 also saw communities com- ing together to help support one another, from school administrators and teachers holding special events for graduating seniors, a vigil organized after the death of George Floyd this spring and creative decorations to name a few initiatives. For this special “Year in Review” edi- tion of the Belchertown Sentinel, our editorial staff compiled an overview look at the top news stories published this year. January At the start of the calendar year, 2020 ushered in grant funding for projects such as the $1 million grant for rebuilding the infrastruc- ture at Sportshaven Mobile Home Park was awarded to the town on Jan. 2. The funds from the state Department of Housing and Community Development will be used to improve the water and septic systems at the park, where residents of about 45 manufac- tured homes have been dealing with substandard conditions for decades. The park is located at 370 Mill Valley Road. “After 25 years, we’re hoping this is the final push,” said Town Administrator Gary Brougham. Sportshaven was established as Katherine Anderson (left), President of the Belchertown State School Friends a campground in the 1970s and Association, Inc., and Friends member Courtney Keating stand amidst a display of gradually became an unlicensed valentines on the front steps of the former state school administrative building. mobile home park. Poor mainte- nance, nonpayment of lot rent- In August of 2019, Cultural A main goal for the group al fees and bankruptcy followed Alliance members April Jasak- includes the creation of an art- in the 1990s. Its listed owner is Bangs and Sarah Maroney spoke ist workshop area within the 6 Aquarius Water Co., of Hinsdale. with Selectboard members about Berkshire Ave. The Belchertown Cultural the goals of the newly estab- The doors of the Clapp Alliance received funding of lished, nonprofit organization. Memorial Library were open and $10,000 which will be used to It will bring together strong the children’s activity room got a analyze and undertake designs, participants from the Cultural paint job from local artist Teresa planning and preliminary costs Council, Historical Society, the Fischer. for designs for a new makerspace Belchertown Public Schools, the During the course of the ren- area at the former Belchertown Friends of the Belchertown State State School, specifically the 6 School, and area businesses, to Officer Ed Oey received a shadow box of a uniform and photos for his retirement Berkshire Ave building. help with revitalization efforts. See YEAR IN REVIEW, page 2 • from the Belchertown Police Department on April 30. Christ Community Church SEE MORE hosts light display PHOTOS PAGE 11 MELINA BOURDEAU event. Staff writer The drive through event fea- tured light displays of various BELCHERTOWN – In honor themes on Christmas trees, a live of the holiday season, the Christ nativity and caroling. Community Church congregation “We want to continue this next hosted its first light and live nativ- year as well,” Mull said. “This ity display on Saturday. is literally a brightening commu- One member of the congrega- nity event. We really wanted to tion, Joanna Mull, said the church do something free and easy for hopes to continue to host the people.” event annually. Mull said while the church doesn’t typically host events in One submission to the light and tree the winter, the pandemic inspired display at Christ Community Church Christ Community Church hosted a drive through lights and live nativity event last them to create a holiday themed last weekend was the “bare bear” tree. weekend. Call Surner Surner Heating has partnered with the and ask for our Susan G. Koman Foundation to support all 60 Shumway Street PINK truck those whom have been touched by to make your Breast Cancer. Amherst, MA 01002 next delivery. re he Cu In T 413.253.5999 Believe CONTACT SURNER HEATING TODAY! VISIT OUR WEBSITE SURNERHEAT.COM PAGE 2 THE SENTINEL • THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2020 YEAR IN REVIEW • from page 1 The Sentinel ovations and improvements to the Obituary library’s lower level, Director Sheila Policy McCormick and Head of Youth Services Jennifer Whitehead said it Turley Publications became evident with the upgrades that offers two types of two central pillars within the activity obituaries. room would also need a facelift. PHONE Fischer said that she jumped at the One is a free, brief opportunity to create a new permanent 413.283.8393 Death Notice listing fixture within the library and to give Fax: 413.289.1977 the name of deceased, back to an institution that has been Subscriptions: 413.283.8393 date of death and both vital to the community and to her funeral date and place. family throughout the years. EMAIL “I’ve spent a lot of time in this The other is a Paid Advertising Sales room previously with my daughter Obituary, costing for programs when she was growing Maureen McGarrett Hall $120, which allows [email protected] up. It’s fun to think about contributing families to publish back to what I and my family have Editor extended death notice used frequently before. It’s my way Melina Bourdeau information of their of helping to pass on a tradition that [email protected] own choice and may someone else started,” said Fischer. (From left to right) Mia, Chase, Matt and Al Benoit went fishing together on June 21 as part of the first Pine Valley Plantation fishing derby. include a photograph. Subscriptions Death Notices & $31 per year pre-paid Paid Obituaries February ($36 out of state) should be One of Petrolati’s primary goals often times show that the buildings are submitted through a While students were still in school while in office was to support eco- worth saving for future preservation. in person, the annual Belchertown nomic development in Western This year marked the first annu- WEB funeral home to: www.sentinel.turley.com Project Runway event challenged Massachusetts. To that end, he worked al Heart Bomb event, hosted by the [email protected]. students to construct a garment from with a group of local lawmakers to Belchertown State School Friends @ The Sentinel Exceptions will be made materials of the designer’s choice facilitate the transfer of a 5.4 -acre Association Inc., saw nearly 100 val- only when the family inspired by the zodiac symbol they parcel of land in Belchertown from entines cards and posters crafted by provides a death certificate were assigned. Decorations could state to local control. The prop- participants from far and wide and The Sentinel is published by and must be pre-paid. Turley Publications, Inc. • www.turley.com include paint, marker, dye, stencils, erty, once the site of the historic sent to the association to be featured beads, sequins, rhinestones and other Belchertown State School, laid dor- on display on the front steps of the materials. mant for numerous years and now administrative building in time for For centuries, people have looked to serves as the home of the Belchertown Valentine’s Day. Heart Bombs are love the stars for wonder and inspiration, Police Station, the Belchertown Senior letters written specifically to historic and the student fashion designers at Center, Christopher Heights Assisted places. Angelo J. Mazza Belchertown High School did just that. Living Facility, and Easthampton “The cool part about the whole pro- Seventh Hampden District Savings Bank, with further econom- cess was having received so many val- electrician Representative and House Chairman ic development opportunities on the entines from people from all over,” of Policy and Steering Thomas M. horizon. said Katherine Anderson, president of Homeowner’s Electrician Petrolati announced he would not seek Shortly after, Ludlow School the Belchertown State School Friends Veteran Owned and Operated re-election to the role in 2020. Committee member Jake Oliveira Association Inc. Anderson said that [email protected] Petrolati, 62, was first elected in announced he would be running to fill the valentines showcased important Fully Insured 1987. During his more than three the position. connections that the state school had Lic. No. 39940E | 413.433.2707 decades in public office the long- Each year around Valentine’s Day created between people, both those time Hampden Country Democrat has on Feb. 14 historic sites throughout still living within Belchertown and worked tirelessly on issues impacting the country are celebrated with tan- those who now live away from the the lives of the people in his district. gible, visible expressions of love that area. Join Us For WILBRAHAM & MONSON ACADEMY TITAN TALKS A Virtual Admission Series allowing you to meet faculty and students, and to learn all about WMA programs and community. ATHLETICS TUESDAY, JAN. 12 / 6 pM EST Fine & Performing Arts THURSDAY, JAN. 14 / 6 pM EST ACADEMICS TUESDAY, JAN. 19 / 6 pM EST Entrepreneurship, Economics & Finance THURSDAY, JAN. 21 / 6 pM EST Middle School TUESDAY, JAN. 26 / 6 pM EST INTERNATIONAL WEDNESDAY, JAN. 27 / 7:30 AM EST COLLEGE PREPARATORY / GRADES 6 - 12, PG / COEDUCATIONAL / BOARDING & DAY www.wma.us/titantalks THE SENTINEL • THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2020 PAGE 3 the Belchertown Police station March with a line of firetrucks, police cars and other vehicles with posters, In the beginning of the month, sirens and shouts. Ludlow School Committee mem- State Police, Belchertown Fire ber James “Chip” Harrington for- Department, South Hadley Police mally announced his candidacy Department, Granby Police for the Seventh Hampden District Department, Bondsville Fire state representative seat at the Department and others drove by Ludlow Mills complex, surround- the station to Oey’s surprise.