Continued From Previous Page

Continued from previous page Competitive swim program for intermediate-level swimmers age 6 - high school who can swim 50 yards or more and have knowledge of the four competitive swim strokes. Program meets four nights a week and participants are required to make at least two practices a week. Practices are Mon. - Thurs. at the LHS pool from 6 - 6:45 p.m. for ages 10 and younger and 6:45 - 7:45 p.m. for ages 11 and older. Swim meets will take place on Fri. nights or Sat. Team swimsuit is required and parents are asked to volunteer during swim meets. Registration dates at the LHS indoor pool are Oct. 19 22 from 5:30 - 6 p.m. For more info, call T.J. Black at 567-9819. MASTERS SWIM PROGRAM This program is for fitness and masters swimmers and athletes. Participants will learn working stroke and conditioning techniques, leading to competition level. Program meets Wed. and Thurs. beginning Nov. 4 from 7:45 - 9 p.m. at the LHS indoor pool. Participants must have an indoor season pool pass or pay $9 resident fee or $11 non-resident fee each time. NEW MOMS SUPPORT GROUP Come and share your success stories about the new little person in your life. Gain support from other parents, meet new friends and establish bonds with other new parents. Program meets during the school year on Thurs. mornings from 10 - 11 a.m. at Greenwood Children’s Center on Maple Road. This group is open to new parents and their infants from birth to one year of age. This program is offered free of charge in conjunction with Baystate Medical Center Parent Education Dept. Call Convy Stahl at 794-5515 for more info. BROWN BAG BINGO The Philip Michael Lauro II Discovery Room at the Storrs Library will offer a special Brown Bag Bingo on Oct. 21 from 11:45 a.m. - 1 p.m. in conjunction with the elementary schools’ half-day schedule. Bring your own lunch and participate in our bingo program. Kids in grades 1 - 5 are invited to test their skill and win some prizes at the library. Register by calling 565-4182 or visiting the Discovery Room.

SPRINGFIELD SPRINGFIELD WOMEN’S CLUB The Springfield Women’s Club is pleased to celebrate its 125th year. The first meeting will be on Oct. 21 at Reeds Landing, Wilbraham Road. Our first guest speaker Lisa Marie Lanno, graphologist, tarot reader and spirit medium. She will give us a little bit about ourselves and maybe what to expect for the future. The meeting will start at 11 a.m. with a luncheon to follow to celebrate our former presidents of the club. The luncheon is $17 and reservations may be made by calling 733-2950. We welcome all that would like to attend.

KICKING THE SUGAR HABIT Better Life Whole Foods, 1500 Allen St., is hosting a free lecture with Renee Hastings, HHC, AADP on “Kicking the Sugar Cravings” on Oct. 14 at 6:30 p.m. If you are sick and tired of feeling sick and tired, addicted to sugar and need to be informed of the dangers of this cycle. Learn alternatives to satisfy your sweet tooth. Call to register 783-9424 ext. 2. AUTUMN FAIR The St. Vincent DePaul Society of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church will be hosting an Autumn Fair on Oct. 24 from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. in the school auditorium at 36 Margaret St. Numerous boutique and craft vendors will be present, such as Tastefully Simple, Lia Sophia, Hood Home Delivery, Hand Painted Slates, Pet Coats and several others. There will also be a giant tag sale with bargains galore. You can support global fair trade by purchasing such items as olive oil, a variety of chocolate bars, coffee and teas, as well as crafts and Christmas ornaments. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. The event will be open to the public and admission is free. ARMENIAN BAZAAR St. Gregory Armenian Apostolic Church will host its annual Armenian Bazaar on Oct. 17 from 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. in the church hall at 135 Goodwin St., Indian Orchard. Visitors are invited to enjoy many favorite Armenian dinners including shish kebab and rice pilaf. Both traditional Armenian and American baked goods will be featured such as paklava and spinachcheese pie. Take-out will be available by calling 543-4763. Raffle prizes include a handmade oriental rug, a ladies’ watch, an Armenian coin, a handmade clock and Megabucks tickets. Admission and parking are free. For more info call the Church office at 543-4763. ISLAND EXTRAVAGANZA Coming soon is Women of Worship’s (WOW) annual fundraiser, the Island Extravaganza. This event is designed to celebrate the smart, funny, colorful and unique qualities of the Caribbean Island culture, while raising money for welldeserved causes. The Island Extravaganza is scheduled for Oct. 17 at the Scibelli Hall Theatre/Building 2, STCC campus. Proceeds will benefit the local community and the Caribbean. For tickets and further info contact WOW at 5250868 or e-mail [email protected]. SUNDAY YOUTH MASS Every Sunday evening at 6 p.m. at Holy Cross Church, Plumtree Road, Springfield. Though the Mass is geared toward young parishioners, with youth readers and contemporary music, all are welcome. VERY INDULGENT PARTY A VIP (Very Indulgent Party), hosted by Curves and Dress Barn to promote breast cancer awareness, will take place Oct. 25 at 3:30 p.m. at Curves, 1916 Wilbraham Rd. Dress Barn fashion show, discounted

Continued on page 29

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October 12-18, 2009  Page 9

Longmeadow www.TheReminder.com

LEEF awards 36 new grants, totaling $120,000 By Courtney Llewellyn Reminder Assistant Editor

LONGMEADOW – Recession? What recession? The Longmeadow Education Excellence Foundation (LEEF) awarded a total of $120,121 in 36 new grants to teachers throughout the district last week. The foundation has awarded more than $681,000 since its inception in 2002. The goal of LEEF is to enrich, enhance and support the quality of education in the six Longmeadow public schools. LEEF is committed to underwriting grants to provide students from kindergarten through twelfth grade with extraordinary opportunities beyond the scope of our tax supported budgets. Thirty-six grants were awarded this year, including unique learning opportunities like “Visualizing Chemical Principles Through Molecular Modeling and

Reminder Publications photo by Courtney Llewellyn

Microscale Animations,” “Band Day 2010,” “Robotics Lab,” “Youth Voices of Glenbrook,” “Books on CD for Kindergarten Learners” and “Extreme Weather: A Day with Thunderstorms and Tornados.” Pam Novak, who received a grant last year for “Book

Building,” said that in middle school, teachers try to diversify learning as much as possible. She said integrating art and bookmaking into the curriculum made a variety of subjects more interesting and more involving for her students.

Kathleen Epaul, a French teacher at the high school, said the grant she received during the last school year had a major impact on the way she taught. High-quality video and audio from France were made available, and one student told Epaul that the new technology

helped him better learn French by bringing it out of the textbook. “Wow,” Superintendent E. Jahn Hart said of the amount awarded for grants this year. She said the unique learning opportunities provided by the grants – things that could not be covered with the school budget – truly engaged students in the rigors and relevance of education. “These are not just funds for innovation,” Hart added. “This puts a positive spotlight on our public schools ... Wherever I go in Longmeadow, people bring up LEEF.” A majority of the funds raised for the grants comes from an annual event, the LEEF Gala, which this year will be taking place at Longmeadow Country Club on Nov. 14. Tickets for the event will be available soon. For more information on the foundation or the gala, visit www.longmeadowleef.org.

Young players celebrate a great season at Longmeadow Baseball Association The Longmeadow Baseball Association (LBA) recently hosted its year-end pizza party for its four Tri-Town League teams and players found they had many reasons to celebrate. The Longmeadow baseball players, ages eight through 12, participated in the Tri-Town Baseball League, making up three teams in the 75-foot division and one team in the 60-foot division. “This group of young ball players has done a terrific job this season,” said LBA President George Viamari. “They have worked hard from the middle of March through the end of July, developing their baseball skills. And it shows in their results. We’re proud of the record for each of these four teams, and we’re even

prouder of the quality of baseball they played.” The three Longmeadow baseball teams in the 75-foot division of the Tri-Town League all enjoyed strong regular season results. In the 75-foot “A” bracket, with Viamari as head coach, the team placed first for regular season play, with a record of 15-2-1. “You gave it your all,” Viamari told his players when they gathered at the year-end banquet. “You came together as a team and played great baseball.” The other two Longmeadow baseball teams in the 75-foot division were in the “B” bracket. Longmeadow Red (head coach Max Winkler) placed second and Longmeadow Black (head coach Roland Joyal) placed third, both for

Page 10  THE REMINDER October 12-18, 2009

regular season play. “These two teams together made Longmeadow a truly dominant force in our bracket,” said Joyal. “We were fortunate that many of our players brought experience and strength, which helped us get off to a great start. Additionally, our less experienced players developed incredibly well and quickly during the season.” Topping off a great regular season, Longmeadow Red brought home two major championships in post-season play. First, the team won the Play-offs in the Tri-Town 75-foot “B” bracket. This sent the team to the state tournament, where Longmeadow Red won the highly competitive Pee Wee Reese 75-foot “B” bracket State Championship.

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Characters inspired Karas to become a novelist By Courtney Llewellyn Reminder Assistant Editor

LONGMEADOW – Iris Karas, a former Longmeadow resident, sometimes hears voices in her head – but don’t wor r y, the voices don’t belong to her, they belong to her characters. A newly-minted author, Karas recently released “Organizing Elizabeth,” a mystery-romance novel, and she will be traveling from her current home in Corpus Christi, Texas, to do some readings from the story at Storrs Library on Oct. 21. “I wish I could tell you I had a formula [for how to write a book], that I had a novel deep within me or an MFA,” Karas joked during an interview with Reminder Publications, “but it’s not true. I was in a particular point in my life where I had a lot of time on my hands ... time for a good exhale.” Karas launched her writing career in 1998 during a leave from her studies at law school in Ohio and said she star ted by tr ying to write about her feelings concerning her ailing father. “It was too maudlin,” she remembered, “so I thought, well, try writing anything at all.” She added that she never thought her ideas would turn into a novel, but one day out popped Elizabeth and the opening scene of her debut novel. “I talked about Elizabeth with my family like she was a real person,” Karas said. Elizabeth is a professional organizer who uses color-coded “to do” lists in her daily life – a real no-nonsense kind of gal. She meets Joe, her polar opposite, in an unusual way, and

then suddenly, there’s a murder the two of them have to deal with. Their relationship develops as they search for clues using their strengths – Elizabeth’s attention to detail and Joe’s street smarts – and try to keep Elizabeth from becoming a victim herself. Wester n Massachusetts native Anna Kirwan served as

Karas’ editor during the writing process and Karas credits Kirwan with helping her take her writing to the next level. “I like to be pulled in by a book right away,” Karas said, “and that’s the kind of book I wanted to write. It’s character driven, with quirky characters and fast-paced dialogue.” The writing of the story was a spontaneous process for the author. She talked about a scene early in the book where someone is found dead, and a member of her family, after hearing about it, asked who did it. “At that point, I didn’t know,” she explained. “I didn’t

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know if they jumped, if they were pushed, if they were poisoned... I’ve heard authors say you can’t write if you don’t know where you’re going and I’ve heard authors say you can.” She’s working on a sequel to “Organizing Elizabeth” right now, and she said it was def initely harder to write the original because she didn’t have a clear sense of what she was doing – she “just kept writing.” Karas decided to publish her f irst novel independently and founded Hold That Thought Publishing to do so, with the aid of Jan Sadler of Sadler Publications, based in Sunderland. “It’s all about tapping into what works for you,” Karas stated. Barbara Fitzgerald, Adult Services Librarian, said Karas approached the librar y about hosting a reading. Stor rs Librar y normally doesn’t search out authors for readings, Fitzgerald explained. “People offer to come and share their passions with the public,” she said. Those passions range from writing to knitting to cooking. “I’m ver y excited for my reading [at Stor rs Librar y],” Karas said. “It’s a wonderful chance to see my friends and colleagues and give a reading in a library I was a part of.” Karas will be at Stor rs Library, 693 Longmeadow St., on Oct. 21 starting at 7 p.m. The reading is free and open to the public, and copies of “Organizing Elizabeth” will be available for purchase. For more information, visit the author’s Web site at www.iriskaras.com.

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October 12-18, 2009  Page 11

East Longmeadow www.TheReminder.com

Selectmen declare town to continue with flat tax rate By Courtney Llewellyn Reminder Assistant Editor

EAST LONGMEADOW – Last Tuesday, Selectman James Driscoll voted for the sixth time to determine the town’s tax classification – whether it should remain level for businesses and residences or if it should be split. “I’ve always supported a flat rate,” Driscoll stated. He said he’s done so because it makes “great business sense” and that a flat rate helps keep businesses in town instead of seeing them move to other states for lower taxes.

“We’re trying to keep a level playing field,” he added. The selectmen annually meet with the Board of Assessors to set the tax rate. Bill Johnston, chair of the Board of Assessors, said the assessors recommended the level tax rate this year because in this economic climate, it’s “the wrong time to make any change in that area.” Barbara Perry, chair of the East of the River Chamber of Commerce, which encompasses East Longmeadow, Longmeadow, Hampden, Wilbraham and Ludlow, stated at the meeting that East

Longmeadow has been very successful with its competitive tax rates, noting several new businesses have moved into the town and that its industrial park is nearly full. She added that from 2007 to 2008, the town saw a 9.3 percent increase in its tax base and a 3.3 percent increase from 2008 to 2009. Business owners in town commented on their appreciation of the single tax rate. Dawn Starks of Acres Power Equipment said the reason the businesses in town have been doing so well is the tax rate. She added that businesses can often contribute to the community in

ways besides taxes as well. East Longmeadow had a tax rate of $16.26 for fiscal year 2009; Longmeadow had $17.11, Wilbraham, $15.29, Ludlow, $14.28. The selectmen voted unanimously to accept a flat tax rate for the next year. They will determine the fiscal year 2010 tax rate later this year. Other Selectmen Updates Driscoll, chair of the town’s Board of Health, noted that East Longmeadow has received $6,300 so far in a public health emergency

grant to help deal with H1N1 vaccinations, but no date has been determined when those vaccinations will be made available to residents. Executive Secretary Nick Breault said they would most likely become available toward the end of October or the beginning of November. The selectmen also announced that the Covanta Energy Corporation, which owns and operates Energy-from-Waste and power generation projects, has lowered its tipping fees. This will result in a $10,000 to $20,000 savings to the town, according to Driscoll.

A Blast From the Past: Butcher examines what can be done in five minutes By Amanda Butcher Special to Reminder Publications

In five minutes, one can read a chapter of a book (two if it’s a good book). In five minutes, I can write a paragraph about my weekend. In five minutes, a small stove fire can spread. I talked to someone a few weeks ago about what they knew about the fire department in East

Longmeadow, and they said that the trucks will be there within five minutes. By then, the fire shouldn’t have spread too far. The East Longmeadow Fire Department was established in the 1920s, when it was located near the Town Hall, and it was combined with the police station. The f irst f ire trucks were homemade, said a former volunteer

f iref ighter. People in East Longmeadow would donate their old trucks and paint them red to make them ready to fight a fire. The tradition of having red fire trucks dates back to the 1800s when f ire stations wanted their trucks to be the shiniest and their color the best. Red, being the most expensive color, was the choice paint for fire trucks, because that

showed superiority to other stations. Most cars on the road at that time were black, and red was the color that stood out. The first new, shiny, red fire truck that East Longmeadow purchased was bought in 1924 straight from a factory that planned to ship the truck to San Francisco. It was shipped instead to our town, which was in need of a fire truck

Seminar Monday, October 19th from 11:00 am - 12:30 pm Lunch – 12:30 - 1:30 pm Join us for an informational seminar by Rick Hunsicker, an expert in senior housing consulting. Rick will present on topics including the current state of the retirement living industry and what seniors can do today to improve their financial well-being. Rick has 23 years of experience in helping thousands of seniors in their decisions whether to remain in their homes or move to a senior living community. He has worked with seniors and their families individually as well as having conducted hundreds of educational and informational presentations explaining the lifestyle options for seniors. While you are here, join us for a delicious chef-prepared dinner and take a tour of our beautiful community. Seating is limited, so please RSVP by October 17th.

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that could be admired. It was retired in 1957 when trucks started getting bigger and better, demoted to spraying toxins on poison ivy and poison oak in the back of Amanda Butcher the high school. I have always wondered why East Longmeadow has lime green fire trucks when my favorite color for them is red. After some research, I found that around the 1980s, a study was conducted about the color of f ire trucks which proved that it was safest to have brightly colored trucks so that they would be easily seen at night. Safety was the reason for East Longmeadow’s change from the traditional red to green. Trucks were getting much safer, because before this time, firefighters rode on the back of the trucks. Now, there were seatbelts in the cab! The trucks were becoming bigger and safer, but the station wasn’t growing with them. Chief Richard Brady told me that the floors were sagging from the weight of the new trucks, and the station was just getting altogether too small. Besides, heading to put out a fire on the other side of town coming from the rotary during rush hour isn’t exactly the safest thing either. In 1997, this was remedied. The station was moved to its current centralized location on Somers Road. I was sitting in math class a few days ago when I heard sirens. My brother, who was on the bus at the time, said that there had been a fire in a dumpster somewhere on the route to school. Lucky our firefighters are so adept at getting to the site of a fire so quickly, he said, or else the barn would have burned, too! DON’T FORGET East Longmeadow Fire Chief Richard Brady wants to remind residents not to forget to change their clocks before they go to bed on the last Saturday night in October, Oct. 31. He also said to change the batteries in both their smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. ELMS DEAN’S LIST The following students at Elms College have been named to the dean’s list for the 2009 spring semester: Ashley Balmer, Brianna Dieni, Rachel Donermeyer, Kyle Ecker, Chelsea Ferguson, James Haskins, Katelyn LaMondia and Stacie Shaw of East Longmeadow. CAZENOVIA DEAN’S LIST Kristen Clark and Barbara Lanigan of East Longmeadow were named to the spring 2009 dean’s list at Cazenovia College. SMITH COLLEGE DEAN’S LIST Anna DiSabito of East Longmeadow was named to the dean’s list at Smith College for the 2008-09 school year.

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LION OF THE YEAR – Lion Joyce Ann Rathmann (left) and Lion Susan Grimaldi, chair of the Lion of the Year Committee (right), congratulate Lion Carl Rathmann on being Lion of the Year. Carl is a past president of the East Longmeadow Lions Club and resides in East Longmeadow with his wife, Joyce Ann. They have three grown sons and six grandchildren. Carl is currently a professor at Western New England College, and a former Dean of Engineering at the college. Reminder Publications submitted photo

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recently distributed books to the Sullivan Elementary School in Holyoke. Link to Libraries co-founder Janet M. Crimmins of East Longmeadow presented to students, faculty and Principal John Breish the books to be donated to the school library. Reminder Publications submitted photo

Beluzo recognized for contribution Lauran Beluzo was Longmeadow Schools. recently recognized by the Presenting the award was town of East Longmeadow Chair of the School School Committee for Committee, Robert lending her vocal talents in Mazzariello. Also present local community events. were Dr. Edward Costa, The recognition noted her Superintendent of Schools, heartfelt tribute at the Sept. along with committee 11, 2001 remembrance members William Fonseca, sponsored by the East Beluzo and Daniel Manley, Angela Longmeadow Fire Mazzariello Thorpe and Greg Department, as well as her Thompson. participation in the East Beluzo is an eighth grade Longmeadow Fall Music Festival honor student at Birchland Park which benef ited the East Middle School.

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THE REMINDER

October 12-18, 2009  Page 13

Hampden/Wilbraham www.TheReminder.com

Residents overwhelmingly support new high school By Courtney Llewellyn and Natasha Clark Reminder Staff

WILBRAHAM – Voters showed overwhelming support for a new high school building at the simultaneous Special Town Meetings last Monday evening, and Superintendent M. Martin O’Shea said he was “delighted and encouraged” by the great support for the project. In Wilbraham, a crowd of more than 900 packed the auditorium at Minnechaug Regional High School, with another 400 voters spilling over into the gym. In the next town over, Hampden had a phenomenal turnout as well as residents came out in droves to support the building of the new high school. As at Minnechaug, most crammed into the Thornton W. Burgess auditorium – standing in doorways, lining the halls and utilizing the gym, too. “We have a quorum, no question of that,” Wilbraham Town Moderator Anthony Scibelli joked at the start of the meeting. “We are here to decide whether or not to build a new high school, but that is not all we will decide,” Peter Salerno, chair of the School

Committee, stated, “for during tonight’s meeting and in the vote that you will take, you will be deciding the future direction of our two towns ... Your vote will be recorded as the singular historic educational decision our two towns will make as we enter the 21st century.” Hampden Town Moderator Robert Howarth referred to the town meeting-style of voting as “the purest form of democracy.” Before the vote in Wilbraham, Salerno once again stressed the $47 million guaranteed from the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) for the project. O’Shea again presented the issues the current building has. The Finance Committee unanimously recommended the project. A few comments and questions were also shared before the vote took place. Jim Wilkinson, a professor at Asnuntuck Community College, noted that the best students come from the best schools. William Massidda stated that the best way for senior citizens to protect themselves is to ensure students get the best education they can. “Our public education system must be dynamically changed. This is a vital investment ... not a cost,”

Massidda added. There were concerns from others about the cost – which would be an average increase in taxes of about $300 a year. Questions were also answered after former Superintendent of Schools Paul Gagliarducci gave a short presentation in Hampden. Of many of the concerns was the “flat” roof that covers several sections of the new school. Gagliarducci explained that the roof is, in fact, pitched, and covers only about 30 percent of the school. Hampden resident Connie Witt did not agree with the school design Minnechaug will be modeled after. “Do we need a new school? Yes. Is this the right time to build? Yes. Is this the right school for us? I don’t believe so,” Witt said. Gagliarducci said the design fits Minnechaug’s programs, and it is in line with their desire to be a green school. The biggest heartfelt laugh of the evening came when a youth approached the microphone and said she did not care about costs, but asked Gagliarducci where she would play soccer once contruction began. He answered that construction would be in phases and that the

Residents vote to move forward on plans for a new high school. Reminder Publications photo by Courtney Llewellyn

district plans to use f ields at Wilbraham & Monson Academy during the process. In the past, the Academy has used the HampdenWilbraham school district’s fields when necessary. Ultimately, the pros outweighed the cons for the two communities. The final vote was 1093 for, 205 against in Wilbraham. In Hampden, it was 380 for, 36 against.

“It was a great turnout and there was a very strong vote in favor of the project, but there’s still a road to go,” David Barry, chair of the Wilbraham Board of Selectmen, said. With the ballot question coming up on Oct. 20, Barry said “each voter will have to decide for themselves.” O’Shea agreed, adding, “I hope everyone has the information they need to make a decision.”

Absentee ballots available for Special Town Election WILBRAHAM – Wilbraham Town Clerk Beverly J. Litchfield announced that absentee ballot for the upcoming Special Town Election scheduled for Oct. 20 are available in her office for those voters who will be absent from the town during polling hours, FLAG FOOTBALL On Oct. 17, the Class of 2010 Senior Girls will take on the Class of 2011 Junior Girls in the 13th Annual Flag

physically disabled preventing them from going to the polls or religious belief. A request in writing is required for obtaining an absentee ballot. Call 596-2800 ext. 200 with any questions. Absentee ballots will be available until noon on

Oct. 19. Litchf ield also wants to remind registered voters of their voting precinct locations. This change took place in May 2009. • Precinct A: Wilbraham Middle School, 466 Stony Hill Rd. (formerly voted at the Senior

Center at Post Office Park) • Precinct B: Soule Road School, 300 Soule Rd. (formerly voted at Stony Hill School) • Precinct C: Wilbraham Middle School, 466 Stony Hill Rd. (formerly voted at Memorial School)

Football Game at Minnechaug Regional High School. The game will take place on the MRHS Football Field at 7 p.m.

This entertaining event is open to students, their families and members of the Wilbraham and Hampden communities. There will be performances

by the Senior and Junior Boys’ Cheerleading Squads, the Faculty Dance Team and the award-winning MRHS Band.

• Precinct D: Soule Road School, 300 Soule Rd. (has always voted at Soule Road) There is no voting at Memorial School, Stony Hill Road School, Mile Tree School or Minnechaug Regional High School. There will be food for purchase and a 50/50 raffle. Please join us. The entrance fee is $5.

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Page 14  THE REMINDER October 12-18, 2009

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Mayotte, Shay receive Lioness Award HAMPDEN – Lions International recognizes outstanding individuals by bestowing on them an award that is named for it’s founder, Melvin Jones. This award is the highest form of recognition and embodies humanitarian ideas consistent with the nature and purpose of Lionism. The recipient of this award

becomes a model because of the exemplary service to his club and the Community for which it serves. The Hampden Lions Club is proud to announce that Gary Mayotte and John Shay, both long time members of the Hampden Lions received the Melvin Jones award at their first meeting, a steak roast on Sept, 26

at the VFW. In addition, two members, Judi Thomas and Ed Loiko both received membership keys for their dedication to Lions and bringing in new members. At this time, congratulations also is extended to Ken Lefebvre for being a member of Hampden Lions Club for 25 years.

The next meeting of the Hampden Lions will be on Oct. 21 at The Hampden House Restaurant (La Cuchina). Dinner is at 7 p.m. Anyone interested in learning about Lions and becoming a member of the club is welcome. For more information, contact Joan Shea at 566-8224 or President Rick Rubin at 566-3805.

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Fountain Park to host ‘Small Works – Big Art’ WILBRAHAM – The Wilbraham Art League (WAL) will host their third annual art show titled “Small Works – Big Art” as part of the Fall Festival 2009 which is sponsored by the Wilbraham Nature and Cultural Center. The exhibit will be on Oct. 17, in the historical barn at Fountain Park, Tinkham Road from 2:30 the 7 p.m. The purpose of the show is

to continue to raise awareness about WAL and give the public an opportunity to purchase original art at affordable prices for the holiday season. The art is limited to a space of no more than 12 by 16 inches overall including the frame. The challenge to the artist is to create an illusion of size, space and depth in a smaller format. There will not only

be paintings, but photography, basketry, graphite and other forms of art which will be engaged in the theme of small art. In addition to information about joining the league, artists will be able to provide information on activities for the year such as monthly programs involving demonstrations and lectures, as well as, weekly opportunities to

participate in our painting group that meets on Wednesday afternoons at the Wilbraham Senior Center. For more information regarding the league, call 596-9911 or visit wilbrahamartleague.org. Requests for membership application forms may be sent to the Wilbraham Art League, P.O. Box 253, Wilbraham, MA 0l095.

Superintendent sets ‘Chat Sessions’ on new High School Project Superintendent of Schools, Marty O’Shea, announced that two “Superintendent Chat Sessions” have been scheduled to continue discussions about the new Minnechaug Regional High School (MRHS) building project.

Citizens of Hampden and Wilbraham are invited to attend either or both meetings and have their questions and comments heard in an informal setting with the Superintendent and members of the MRHS Building Committee.

The first meeting is scheduled for Oct. 15 at 7 p.m. in the MRHS Media Center. The second session will be on Oct. 19 at 1 p.m. in Room C-2 at Minnechaug. These informational meetings will provide additional

opportunities for the public to ask questions and learn more about the cost of the building project, future tax implications, expected project schedule, building floor plan, proposed site plan and benefits of the model school program.

For this week’s news and past stories log on to www.TheReminder.com

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THE REMINDER

October 12-18, 2009  Page 15

Springfield www.TheReminder.com

Police to promote Safe Neighborhood Night at WNEC New fire station to be state of the art By G. Michael Dobbs Managing Editor

SPRINGFIELD – Sgt. John Delaney, the spokesman for the Police Department, told Reminder Publications that city residents are becoming more and more involved in giving information to the department to help f ight crime and a new event on Oct. 20 is designed to heighten that involvement. From 6 to 8 p.m. on that day in the Rivers Memorial Building at Western New England College (WNEC), the police department, in conjunction with Hampden County Sheriff Michael Ashe Jr., will present “Safe Neighborhood Night.” The free event will offer information on how to begin a neighborhood crime watch as well as feature off icers who patrol specific areas of the city who will speak confidentially about issues with residents that can range from quality of life concerns to criminal activity. Delaney said booths with the

officers from around the city is part of the ongoing effort to combat the “no snitching” mentality of some city residents. The event is the first time such an effort has been mounted by the department. Another feature of the evening is the introduction of the department’s participation with Text-A-Tip, along with the Holyoke Police Department and State Police Hampden Detective Unit. Delaney explained that if residents in Springf ield and Holyoke see something suspicious they can text to 274637. Starting a message with the world “solve,” they can then send their information. The text message goes to a server in Canada, which then encrypts it so it is completely anonymous. The Hampden County Sheriff ’s Department takes the encrypted message and sends it to the proper law enforcement unit. The Sheriff ’s Department personnel can conduct a two-way message with the resident, who remains anonymous, before it

sends it to the participating departments. That department only sees the encrypted alias assigned to the message. The text message is “completely clean,” Delaney said. “There is no way to trace it.” He is hoping that young people who use text messaging will feel comfortable giving the police information that can help solve or prevent a crime. The Safe Neighborhood Night will also feature refreshments and door prizes, he added. Delaney noted how community involvement could work with the example of a recent break-in in the Island Pond Road area of the city that was quickly solved with the help of neighbors who called in a stream of information. He said that frequently when criminals are caught, the officers discover they are the perpetrators of other crimes. “There’s a domino effect every time that happens,” Delaney said.

By G. Michael Dobbs Managing Editor

SPRINGFIELD – Construction workers building the foundation of the new fire station on White Street took a break on Wednesday afternoon while Mayor Domenic Sarno and Fire Commissioner Gary Cassanelli led a formal groundbreaking ceremony for the new $5 million facility. Located on a triangular lot at 382 White St., the new fire station will replace two aging fire stations in the Forest Park neighborhood: the Oakland Street station (built in 1894) and the Sumner Avenue station (built in 1925). Cassanelli said the new fire station will be “state of the art,” and Sarno said the construction should be completed in about a year. Patrick Sullivan, executive director of Parks, Buildings and Recreation Management, said that when he started in his position three years ago Cassanelli had made the replacement of those two facilities one of his top priorities. The Finance Control Board approved the use of city bonds for the construction process to begin.

Rita Coppola-Wallace, director of the Department of Capital Asset Construction, said the city saved money on the new building with current economic conditions driving down prices. She added the building would be the first city building to try to obtain a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating certification for sustainable building design and construction. The station will be the first new municipal building in Springfield in the last 10 years and is designed to reduce its energy use by 20 percent and water consumption by 40 percent. The design also reduces the building’s potential contribution to heat island effects – the fact that cities are generally hotter than the surrounding less developed countryside. The builders also intend to reduce the amount of construction waste sent to landfills by 75 percent. Sarno said the two existing stations would be evaluated for possible use by the city and then, if no use is determined, go through a Request for Proposals or a Request for Qualifications process.

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