INDEX The Opinion: 6 Sports: 9 Obituaries: 13 Classifieds: 18 Notices: 19 REGISTERLOCAL NEWS ❙ LOCAL STORIES ❙ LOCAL ADVERTISERS A TURLEY PUBLICATION ❙ www.turley.com December 23, 2020 ❙ Vol. 78, No. 31 www.register.turley.com NEWSLINE Center provides winter service The Year in Review t seemed almost as soon as of Ludlow’s spirit, 2021 will be ed as a full-time officer and he Certificate of Clinical Excel- 2020it began, 2020 was turning a much better year. served as a patrol officer before lence, came to Ludlow Animal Iinto the year a lot of people With that, we present to you becoming appointed to sergeant Clinic in 2008, where she start- SEE PAGE 2 couldn’t wait to forget. Just as our year-end look back at the in 1992. Fast-forward to July ed as a veterinary technician. the winter thaw was tantalizing- year that was: 1, 2014, when Madera became “I am grateful to have this ly in sight, the words “COVID” Chief of Police and served for opportunity,” Rodriguez said. and “coronavirus” were seeping JANUARY six years. “Dr. Carson has entrusted me PET OF THE WEEK into the public’s consciousness. Madera’s accomplishments with his many patients and I There’s no need to recap what Police chief says include leading the department hope to build the practice with KaydeeLynn is 10 unfolded from there. to receive state certification and my own new clients.” But however much it seemed farewell creating a regional special re- the year was nothing but doom sponse team in partnership with FEBRUARY and gloom, a look back at the Hampden County Sheriff’s our newspaper’s pages from Department. Looking back at throughout 2020 tells a differ- his time working at the depart- Princess Elsa ent story. There was uplifting ment, Madera said “it’s been an and inspirational news to report amazing ride.” holds court each and every week. Neighbors helping neighbors. Communities rallying in support of various Practice causes. Progress was evident in SEE PAGE 3 plans for the future. changes hands Our education community Also that was among those who refused OPINION month, af- to give in to the challenges. ter a career Yes Virginia, there is a Various service organizations, spanning Santa Claus including Ludlow’s Rotary and more than Lions clubs and the Indian Or- Ludlow Police Chief four decades, chard Citizens Council stepped Pablo Madera Dr. Samu- up their programming and phil- Ludlow Police Chief Pab- el P. Carson The Hubbard Memorial Li- anthropical efforts. Town gov- lo Madera celebrated the con- retired and brary hosted its second annual ernment, from the back office clusion of his 38-year journey turned over Dr. Eva M. Disney Princess Party on Feb. folks who may have previously in the field of law enforcement ownership of Rodriguez 20, organized by Children’s De- been taken for granted, to first with fellow staff members. the Ludlow partment Assistant Olivia Char- responders who keep us safe, Madera’s journey began in his Animal Clinic to his associate, trand, who said she knew there and the ever-cheerful Ludlow teen years working at Bradlees Dr. Eva M. Rodriguez. Carson, is a huge Disney fan base in Senior Center continued to in Springfield as a store clerk active in the Massachusetts Vet- Ludlow. Throughout the entire- serve citizens. where he was inspired watching erinary Medical Association, ty of the children’s department Businesses and individuals store detectives do their jobs. provided medical care for pets girls were dressed up in their SEE PAGE 6 of all ages rose to the occasion By the time he turned 18, at his 200 Center Street location favorite costumers, enjoying and did everything they could Madera applied and became a since 1986. snacks and a variety other activ- think of accentuate the positive. loss prevention officer, which Rodriguez, a 2018 graduate ities the library had to offer. It’s through the town’s collec- gave him the chance to learn of the inaugural class at Lincoln Actor Hayley Asselin por- tive efforts that 2020 could be more and work closely with po- Memorial University in Har- trayed Disney Princess Elsa remembered more for what lice officers. On Dec. 5, 1982, rogate, Tenn., where she was throughout the entirety of the IN SPORTS went right than what didn’t, and Madera became one of the awarded the American College Soccer changes affected we have no doubt that because youngest officers ever appoint- of Veterinary Internal Medicine Please see YIR, Page 7 approach to game Wreaths laid on local veterans graves LUDLOW — On Saturday, have been implemented due to volunteers supporting Wreaths COVID-19. Across America at Island Pond The pre-recorded ceremony Cemetery worked hard to en- airs on LCTV this week. sure that every service mem- bers buried in Ludlow would be SEE PAGE 11 honored again this year with the placement of live, balsam veter- T-Birds teddy bear ans’ wreaths as part of National donation Wreaths Across America Day 2020. This year, the ceremonies that were held across the coun- try at more than 2,200 partici- pating locations, looked a little different as the national non- profit organization made every effort to meet CDC recommend- Courtesy photo ed safety guidelines while also Volunteers lay wreaths on adhering to state, local, and veterans’ graves at Island Pond Bugler plays “Taps” at Island Pond Cemetery Saturday during SEE PAGE 11 cemetery safety measures that Cemetery. National Wreaths Across America Day 2020. ◗ Page 2 ❙ December 23, 2020 ❙ The Register LUDLOW KEEPING SENIORS SAFE LUDLOW CENTER Exercise for your body and brain, to-go meals and more at the senior center Below is information on our 3 p.m.: Today’s Hot Topic! Zoom classes, Channel 192 schedule Wednesday – 9 a.m.: Tai Chi; 3 and Grab and Go menu for the up- p.m.: Zumba coming week. Please always remem- Thursday – 9 a.m.: Today’s Hot ber we are here!!! Topic! 3 p.m.: Chair Yoga Friday – 9 a.m.: Boomer Boot Zoom schedule. Camp 3 p.m. – Holiday Cooking \Please call Maria at 583-3564 for Class login information or to sign up. Saturday – 9 a.m.: Chair Yoga ~Tuesday Dec 29 at 2 p.m.: Courtesy photo Zoom Bingo! The Ludlow Senior Center partnered with Peoples Bank to provide “Sand for Seniors.” With the help of Peoples Bank, Ludlow Department of Public Works and staff at the ~Wednesday Dec 30 at 2 p.m.: Grab and Zoom Trivia Senior Center, buckets of sand were delivered to older adults in Town on Dec. 12 to ~Wednesday Dec 30 at 4:30 p.m.: Go Menu help them walk safely from and around their homes after the recent snowstorm. Zoom Chair yoga Grab and Go meals will be dis- continued on Dec. 24 and will Van service will be discounted resume on Jan. 5. Dec. 24 through Dec. 31. It will re- sume on Jan. 4. Reminder: PICK UP IS Public Way permits now day-to-day 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Reserva- LUDLOW - Utility companies and close and weather permitting and for Channel 192 line up: tions 24 hours in advance, 60+ contractors should be advised that the emergencies, as approved by the DPW. Monday – 9 a.m.: Move and and drive up to pick up. $2 a Ludlow Dept. ofPublic Works has ceased Emergency permits issued under Grove; 3 p.m.: Yoga meal. More info: 583-3564 the issuance of Construction Within the these circumstances will be monitored Tuesday – 9 a.m.: Chair Yoga; Public Way Permits as of Nov. 15. Per- and inspected as work is underway and mits for work in the public way will be may include special provisions relative issued on a day to day basis until plants to the work. 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 Register ❙ December 23, 2020 ❙ Page 3 ◗ Ludlow Pollice Arrest Logs Madhukar R Medipally, DMD The following were report- Oct. 28 Nov. 13 534 Center Street able custodial arrests made by Peter H. Gosciminski, 34, of An arrest was made for assault Ludlow, MA 01056 the Ludlow Police Department Ludlow, was arrested on Pond- and battery/domestic in which from Oct. 11 - through Dec. 11. view Drive for alleged OUI, li- the suspect, who is not named to (413) 583-2070 T (413) 583-6027 F All charges are alleged. Those ar- quor OR .08%, leaving the scene protect the identity of the victim, rested will appear at future dates of property damage and negligent is accused of: threat to commit in Palmer District Court and are operation of a motor vehicle. crime, assault to murder, assault FAMILY DENTAL innocent until proven guilty: and battery/domestic, assault and The Ludlow Police Depart- Oct. 31 battery on +60/disabled person PRACTICE ment responded to over 2,300 An arrest was made for inde- with injury, assault w/dangerous calls for service and made more cent assault and battery in which weapon drug possession Class E. Financing Available than 60 arrests, including: the suspect, who is not named to Accepting MassHealth Under 21 protect the identity of the victim, Dec.