Search for The Westfield News Search for The Westfield News Westfield350.com The Westfield News T IS GOOD TO HAVE “I The Westfield Search“T forIME The IS Westfield THE ONLYNews Serving Westfield, Southwick, and surroundingNews Hilltowns AN END TO JOURNEY Westfield350.comWEATHER The Westfield CRITIC WITHOUT News TOWARDS; BUT IT IS TONIGHT “TIME IS THEAMBITION ONLY.” Serving Westfield, Southwick, and surrounding Hilltowns THE JOURNEY THAT WEATHERPartly Cloudy. JOHN STEINBECK TONIGHT MATTERSCRITIC, IN WITHOUTTHE END .” TONIGHTLow of 55. www.thewestfieldnews.com Mainly Clear. AMBITION.” LowPartly ofCloudy. 2. — UrsJOHNULA STEINBECKK. LE GUIN LowVOL. of 55. 86 NO. 151 www.thewestfieldnews.comTUESDAY, JUNE 27, 2017 75 cents VOL.VOL. 86 87 NO. NO. 151 1 TUESDAY,TUESDAY, JANUARY JUNE 27, 2, 20172018 7575 cents Cents Winter tips in the Whip City By DAN DESROCHERS Correspondent WESTFIELD—As we brace ourselves for another week of frigid temperatures, safety must be considered this time of year. Winter and cold weather can come with a number of unique injuries, so being aware of the risks and practicing safety may help avoid these potentially catastrophic issues this time of year. That way, even if you don’t enjoy the cold, you’re not on your way to the emergency room, as well. Dr. Murdoc Khaleghi, emergency room physician at Baystate Noble Hospital, and Eric Bishop, Deputy Chief for the Westfield Fire Deputy Chief and Fire Prevention Officer Westfield Fire Department, each provided some tips and infor- Eric Bishop. mation regarding cold weather. have a “hard time maintaining blood flow,” which warms the First, with it being as cold as it is, be sure to wear warm body. clothing and be aware of the risks of hypothermia, frostbite and This can all worsen based on environmental factors, such as other cold exposure issues. air temperature and if someone is wet. Khaleghi said that water For hypothermia, it occurs when your body’s temperature is a better conductor of heat than air, so it can dissipate body File photo of Southwick man barely visible behind a large pile drops to 95 degrees Fahrenheit or below, Khaleghi said. Your heat quicker. As for the air temperature, the lower the tempera- of snow as he cleans his driveway. (WNG file photo) body works hard to maintain its normal temperature of about ture the quicker hypothermia can set in. 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit, he said, and as the body cools it can See Winter Tips, Page 3 Sen. Humason New Southern receives praise Hilltown Adult Ed location, new classes, for Voting new teachers Record By AMY PORTER Numerous activities occur on Congamond Lake during the winter includ- Correspondent CHESTER – The new Village Enterprise Center, at 26 BOSTON — Senate Minority Leader Bruce E. ing this ice fishing derby that took place in January 2017. (WNG File Photo) Tarr (R-Gloucester) today congratulated State Main Street, Chester, is the Southern Hilltown Adult Senator Don Humason, Jr. (R-Westfield) for achiev- Education Center’s (SHAEC) newest satellite class- ing a perfect voting record in 2017. After being room. Many of SHAEC’s classes and workshops will be sworn in to his third term in the Senate on January Reminder of Congamond held at this new location this winter, so be sure to note 4, 2017, Humason has once again earned a 100% the location when signing up for classes. The SHAEC roll call record. classroom in Room 152 at Gateway Regional High “2017 proved to be a Lake safety in the winter School is also open, and classes will continue to be held challenging time in the at Gateway along with other on-site and outdoor class State Senate. I began By GREG FITZPATRICK locations. the session voting Correspondent The Village Enterprise Center will also act as a against significant leg- SOUTHWICK – With the winter weather bringing consistent tempera- Welcome and Visitors Center for Chester and the hill- islative pay raises and tures under 20 degrees, it usually means that people tend to avoid the out- towns. Partners in this non-profit space include the ended the first half of doors. However, for some outdoor enthusiasts, it’s also the perfect time to the session taking an Historic Route 20 Association and the Jacobs Ladder go on Congamond Lake. Business Association. The purpose of the Village unprecedented vote to As the thought of ice skating, pond hockey, and ice fishing lure people name an Acting Senate Enterprise Center is to assist in the economic develop- President. Looking onto the lake, Southwick officials want to remind people to stay cautious if ment of the hilltowns through education and partnership back, I am proud that I they choose to go on the lake. with businesses and organizations, as well as to serve as maintained my perfect “We rely on people to use common sense and be courteous out there,” a community resource for residents. A grand opening voting record through said Harbormaster and Southwick Chief of Police David Ricardi. will be held on Thursday, January 11, 2018, with an open Since all three ponds on the lake can get crowded with people at any time, house from 12 noon to 6 p.m., followed by a ribbon- SEN. DON the ups and downs we experienced,” said Ricardi wants everyone to be aware of each other and their surroundings. cutting ceremony from 6 to 6:30 p.m. with refreshments. HUMASON Senator Don Humason. “We expect everybody to be considerate of everybody else,” said Ricardi. In addition to a new classroom location, there are sev- (R-Westfield) “I anticipate another Dick Grannells, Chairman of the Lake Management Committee, also eral new teachers with exciting new classes beginning active half of the legisla- lives on Congamond Lake and knows what the community should watch this winter. Westfield News photographer Marc St. Onge tive session in 2018, so I out for when stepping onto the ice. According to Grannells, being a spring is teaching two photography classes this winter at the am ready to get to work in the new year and build fed lake, the water on the lake is the same temperature year round keeping Village Enterprise Center in Chester. St.Onge has been on the 4-year 100% voting record I’ve sustained some areas consistently with thin ice during the winter when other areas taking photographs for over 45 years. His subjects have during my time in the Senate so far.” have thick ice. For instance, Grannells refers to the South ramp on South included news, events, weddings, fine art, and currently Throughout 2017, the Senate totaled 315 roll call Pond that has a lot of current that flows through the two culverts. events for The Westfield News. Marc also teaches basic votes on legislative matters related to health care, “They tend to thin out,” said Grannells. “We’ve had unfortunate events and flash photography at the Robert Floyd Gallery in criminal justice, the Commonwealth’s annual bud- through both culverts.” Southampton. He brings a wealth of experience and a get, and much more. Grannells also noted that North Pond is the deepest section of the lake at light touch to teaching photography. “Roll call votes are one of the primary and cru- about 45 ft. deep, while Middle Pond is the next deepest, followed by South cial ways that Senators protect and represent the Snow Fooling: Hot Tips for Your Winter Photography: Pond being the most shallow. Tuesdays, January 16, and 30, 6 to 8 p.m.at the Village interests of their constituents and often they involve Although some parts of the lake are deeper than others, Grannells wants critical issues where every vote makes a difference. Enterprise Center. This two hour course will help Senator Humason understands that, and his 100% to remind individuals that the ice conditions can change from area to area improve your photography in the winter months. Topics voting record reflects his commitment not only to as some spots may have eight to ten inches of ice while others could have covered will include equipment, exposure, subject those he represents, but also to the prosperity and two inches of ice. choice, composition, and safety. Attendees should be future of our state,” said Senate Minority Leader “That’s the thing people have to understand, it’s not a uniform thickness familiar with their cameras, but the course is not camera Bruce Tarr. “I truly appreciate Senator Humason’s throughout the ponds,” said Grannells. “Please use caution.” specific. efforts to understand the impact of each his votes Another aspect that both Ricardi and Grannells discussed was the use of So you got a New Digital Camera? Tuesday, February and his achievement to keep his record of voting winter recreation vehicles on the lake, especially snowmobiles. Under the 20, 6 to 8 p.m.at the Village Enterprise Center. In this perfect.” Chapter 75 bylaws for the town of Southwick, section 13 says that winter two hour beginner class, St.Onge will go over the basics Humason is the Senate’s Assistant Minority recreational vehicles and ice boats can be operated from December 1 until behind every digital camera and answer questions about Leader and currently serves on 10 legislative com- March 1 from sunrise to 11 p.m. Then, on section 14, it states, “No person usage, care, and general photography. This course is mittees: shall operate a winter recreational vehicle or ice boat on the ice having a primarily for those new to digital cameras. Particpants • Joint Committee on Ways and Means thickness of less than six inches.” should bring their camera and manual with them. • Senate Committee on Ways and Means The bylaw also includes the fact that if anyone violates any of the rules Another new teacher to SHAEC is Tim Vogel, owner or regulations, they will be fined $50 for each offense.