“rather than love, than money, than fame, give me...

“Rather than love, than money, than fame, give me truth.” – Henry David Thoreau

By Mary Kronholm

This story is being rerun due to an editorial error that occurred in last week’s paper.

Robin Tilghman Stevens is living her passion with Blandford Therapeutic Riding.

Therapeutic riding is a combination of horsemanship, learning about the horse and riding the horse. Therapeutic riding is individually designed to meet emotional, cognitive, physical or any other challenge.

“Equine therapy,” said Stevens, “is another opportuni-ty for connections in life which benefit participants by provid-ing coping skills and joy. It

Blandfordrider offers healing horses

By Christine Charnosky

On Wednesday, June 20, Massachusetts State Police Troopers from the Russell Barracks responded to a report-ed missing child, which ulti-mately led to the discovery of Jace Paduano in the Westfield River.

Upon arrival troopers immediately began a search for the child, according to Jim Leydon, Communications

FUNDS, page 12

RIDING, page 13

Funds being raised for boy who drowned

MIDDLEFIELD RUSSELL

BLANDFORD

Due to the July 4 holi-day, the Country Journal will go to press on Monday, July 2. Please submit releases by noon on Sunday, July 1, at the latest. Note: The Chester office will be closed on Monday, July 2, and Tuesday, July 3. Thanks!

Early, early deadline for next week


For “The Big Reveal” H i l l t o w n E c o n o m i c Development Director Jeanne LeClair unveiled a new mar-keting campaign with the goal of reviving the six Hilltowns in the Gateway Regional School District.

She said that Blandford, C h e s t e r , H u n t i n g t o n , Middlefield, Montgomery and Russell are known collectively as the Gateway Hilltowns.

“Each town has its own distinctive history, strengths and challenges,” LeClair told the gathering at Stanton Hall in Huntington on Sunday, June 24.

A 14-member group with representatives from the six towns formed the Hilltown Collaborative with the belief

that “the whole is greater than the sum of its part,” she said.

A brand “captures the spirit of a region” LeClair said.

She said the goal was to “differentiate the region from the other” Hilltowns.

With the logo “Wish you were here” it says that the Hilltowns is a “place to play, a place to stay – for a day or a lifetime.”

During her slide presenta-tion, LeClair explained why the colors – “warm earth tones” – and various fonts were chosen.

LeClair said the marketing campaign wants to let people know that the Hilltowns offer beautiful scenery and friendly neighbors.

Five community members

‘The Big Reveal’ logo: ‘Wish you were here!’


Middlefield honored Sgt. Elijah Churchill, first recipient of the Badge of Military Merit – now known as the Purple Heart – as the town officially became a Purple Heart commu-nity on Saturday, June 23, with Churchill’s descendants ages 5 to

102 years old in attendance. Churchill received the

Badge of Military Merit from Gen. George Washington on May 3, 1783 for his service in the Revolutionary War. Churchill died on April 11, 1841 and was buried at Bell Cemetery in Middlefield.

Grace Oppenheimer, 102,

of Hudson, Fla., Churchill’s great, great, great granddaughter attended the ceremony with her daughters Judy Green and Susan Oppenheimer and fifth genera-tion descendent Robert Churchill was there with his son, Scott Churchill, who brought his sons Colden, 7, and Zachary, 5.

Green said this was the first

time the third and f o u r t h g e n -e r a t i o n d e s c e n -d a n t s m e t those from the

PURPLE HEART, page 10

REVEAL, page 2

Middlefield honored Sgt. Elijah Churchill, first recipient of the Badge of Military Merit (the Purple Heart) in 1783; five generations of his descendants attended the ceremony: Grace Oppenheimer, 102, (seated) – great, great, great granddaughter of Churchill – with her daughters Judy Green and Susan Oppenheimer; fifth generation descendant Robert Churchill, his son, Scott Churchill, and his sons Colden, 7, and Zachary, 5, at Middlefield Town Hall, Saturday, June 23. Right, Irene Bouchard of Easthampton and Carol Devine of Ludow – both associate members of the Military Order of the Purple Heart – hold signs, which will be erected in Middlefield, during the ceremony at Bell Cemetery. See page 20 for more photos. Photos by Christine Charnosky

Focus group members – Erin Patrick, Tamarin Laurel, James Higby, Elizabeth Massa and Derrick Mason – read from the “Brand Narrative” during “The Big Reveal” at Stanton Hall in Huntington, Sunday, June 24.

Photo by Christine Charnosky

Middlefield officially becomes

EDITOR’S NOTE

Becket ..........................12Blandford ......................13Business Diretory ..........15Chester ...........................7Chesterfield ....................8

Classifieds ...............18,19Cummington ...................5Gateway .........................8Goshen .........................14Hilltowns ....................2, 3

Huntington ......................6Middlefield ........ 10, 11, 20Opinion ...........................4Plainfield ......................11Public Notices ...............17

Russell..........................12Sandisfield ....................15Westhampton ...............14Williamsburg .................14Worthington ....................9

HILLTOWNS

A TURLEY PUBLICATION ❙ www.turley.com June 28, 2018 ❙ Vol. 40, No. 9 ❙ 75¢ www.countryjournal.turley.com

Devoted to the Needs of the HilltownsCountry JournalBecket, Blandford, Chester, Chesterfield, Cummington, Goshen, Huntington, Middlefield, Montgomery, Otis, Plainfield, Russell, Sandisfield, Westhampton, Williamsburg, Worthington

PAGE 8

Purple Heart community

Country Journal • Thursday, June 28, 2018

By Peter Spotts

CHESTERFIELD – New Hingham Elementary School has a new principal, coming from one of its own residents.

Jesse McMillan, who moved to town in 2016, spent this past year on the Hampshire Regional School Committee and is now mak-ing the jump up to principal. One of his chief goals is to foster open communication between the school and the community.

“I’m here to listen. I’m not here to make sweeping changes,” McMillan said. “Our job is to serve the stu-dents and the parents, that’s what we’re here for and I want to make sure we con-tinue to share that message with them.”

McMillan has spent the past four years gaining experience teaching in school districts as he pursues his life-long interest in leadership and school governance. After graduating from the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts with a Bachelor of Arts in English liter-

ature and Bachelor of Science Education in 2014, he went to the Adams-Cheshire Regional School District where he worked as a teacher for grades 10 through 12.

I n J a n u a r y 2 0 1 5 , McMillan moved on to a new teaching position in the Springfield Public Schools w h e r e h e s t a y e d u n t i l September of the same year until he landed an English and Social Studies teacher job for grades six and eight in Pittsfield Public Schools. This past year, McMillan has also worked as an intern for the Principal in Pittsfield for grades kindergarten through

eight, gaining more experience for his new position in Chesterfield. Between his education, work and school commit-tee experience, McMillan feels confident he’s been exposed to the key challenges he’ll have to tackle as a Principal.

“I had the opportunity to really delve into educational goals and poli-cies. Working with budget – that was a major undertaking. There are budget

constraints and there are quite a few things we have to work on going for-ward,” he explained. “I think it’s real-ly important to be a good listener and give parents, teachers and students that opportunity to be heard. Maintaining open communication and transparency is especially important.”

McMillan was one of 16 applicants for the job. Interim Principal Tim Luce coordinated the search committee pro-cess to select three finalists. Each final-ist had a site visit, meetings with staff and a public interview. Based on recom-mendations from the hiring committee, McMillan’s application and performance throughout the process, Superintendent Craig Jurgensen selected McMillan.

“Mr. McMillan is a highly moti-vated, child-centered, and innovative educator,” Jurgensen said. “He is a Chesterfield resident who understands the importance of the school to both Goshen and Chesterfield communities. I know that he will be a highly effective, respected school leader.”

After his site visit to the school, McMillan sent a letter out to the New Hingham community thanking them for

welcoming him into their community. He is impressed with the atmosphere and learning that is going on in the class-rooms and that the teacher-student rela-tionships are strong, which is important for student growth and engagement.

“You have a very special place, and I would be honored to serve as your next educational leader,” McMillan wrote in his letter.

It’s not a job he moved to town for. McMillan and his fiancé, Jessica, moved to the Hilltowns because they love the area. It just happened to be a bonus that a dream opportunity arose right after moving to town.

“From the moment we graduated college we knew we wanted to buy a house in the Hilltowns and raise our family here,” McMillan said. “When we moved in we happened to drive by and I saw this beautiful building. I didn’t even know there’d be a position.”

“During my short time here, I’ve had the opportunity to walk the building and participate in some of the events,” he said. “There’s been an overwhelm-ing amount of support from the parents, which I really appreciate.”

New Hingham Elementary gets new principal

Jesse McMillan

HILLTOWNS

REVEAL from page 1

read from what LeClair called the “Brand Narrative,” which she wrote.

James Higby of Chester read: “If you’re new to town, don’t expect anyone to show up on your doorstep begging you to get involved. People respect your priva-cy and wait for your lead.”

Appropriately, Erin Patrick of Chester, owner of the Chester Common Table and Carms Restaurant, read the part of the narrative, “If your dream is to open a coffee shop or a café, a used bookstore or bike shop, this is the kind of place that will not only welcome you but patronize

your business.”“The Hilltown Collaborative was

formed to ensure a prosperous future for these six communities,” Derrick Mason of Russell read from the narrative. “It’s a pro-gressive, exciting vision that will attract young families with kids, more small busi-ness owners and appreciative visitors to come, see and enjoy the natural charm of these communities.”

Andy Myers of Chester said it’s not that these six towns are trying to be exclu-sive but are trying to set an example show-ing that when towns work together they can achieve more like addressing each town’s needs separately and collaborative-ly along with sharing resources.

Myers said that the collaborative received three community compact grants: one for $40,000 to study the needs of these six Hilltowns; $100,000 grant, which cov-ered LeClair’s salary and expenses for the first year of her contract as she served as economic development director; and $40,000 to hire a marketing firm – TSM Design of Springfield.

“We’ve lost students out of Gateway,” Myers said. “We want to build that back up.”

The only age group growing in the Hilltowns is those age 65 and older, he added.

“We want a healthy balance,” he said. “It’s a great branding for the towns,”

Huntington Selectman Karon Hathaway said. “A lot of work went into this.”

LeClair said some next steps include further meetings to review the marketing plan and advertising – digital, print and brochures – to be sent out to realtors and visitor centers outside of the six Gateway Hilltowns.

WORTHINGTON – Sevenars Concerts, Inc., is excited to announce its 50th anniversary season (1968-2018) of summer concerts, which are held at the Academy in South Worthington.

The 2018 season returns largely to its roots as a family festival with family members (Schrade and James families) while also presenting distinguished guest composer-performers and touring artists of the highest caliber.

Sevenars Academy (building on State and National Historic Register) is located at 15 Ireland St. just off Route 112 at Ireland Street.

Concerts are on Sundays at 4 p.m. starting July 8 through Aug. 19.

Sunday, July 8, at 4 p.m.: Sevenars 50th Anniversary Opening Concert

Join members of the Schrade and James family of musicians, along with

Emmy-winning TV journalist/flutist Magee Hickey in celebrating the opening of Sevenars 50th Anniversary season. Sevenars also will honor the memory of three extraordinary musicians and peo-ple, Robert and Rolande Schrade and Robelyn Schrade James, without whom these 50 years of concerts would not have been born. Members of the Schrade and James families have attracted a loyal following of audiences and press, whether at Lincoln Center, Wigmore Hall, Carnegie Hall, throughout the US, Canada, New Zealand, France, the UK, Italy, or Fiji, in chamber, solo and orchestral appearances, and on radio, television, and numerous highly praised recordings. As individuals they have gar-nered dozens of awards and accolades and as a family were the first listed on Steinway’s global artists roster (as well

as individual listings). As a special treat, Magee Hickey

of WPIX (formerly WABC, WNBC, WCBS) will play the flute. Unbeknownst to many, she is also an inspired flutist who studied at the Fontainebleau School of Music (sitting in on the classes of the legendary Nadia Boulanger) and has played duets with James Galway (taking pointers on how to get that clear, bril-liant Galway sound)! The program will include piano, cello, flute, solo, and duo repertoire by Bach, Chopin, Ravel, and others.

Other concerts include:Sunday, July 15, at 4 p.m.: The

Revere Piano QuartetSunday, July 22, a t 4 p.m.:

Christopher James, cello and Luis Ortiz, piano

Sunday, July 29, at 4 p.m.: The

Piazzolla Trio, piano and stringsSunday, Aug. 5, at 4 p.m.: Lynelle

James, pianistSunday, Aug. 12 at 4 p.m.: Jerry

Noble and friendsSunday, Aug. 19 at 4 p.m.: Seven

R’s at Sevenars: Rorianne Schrade, pia-nist

Admission to all concerts is by donation at the door: suggested $20 and includes refreshments.

This 2018 project is support-ed in part by The Cultural Councils of Blandford, Chesterfield, Huntington, M o n t g o m e r y, P l a i n f i e l d a n d Worthington, local agencies which are funded in part by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency, and the National Endowment of the Arts.

For more information, visit www.sevenars.org.

Sevenars Concerts announces its 50th Anniversary Season

Hilltown Economic Development Director Jeanne LeClair presents “The Big Reveal” at Stanton Hall in Huntington, Sunday, June 24. Photos by Christine CharnoskyDerrick Mason of Russell and James Higby

of Chester stand beside the new logo during “The Big Reveal” in Huntington, Sunday, June 24.

Caden Boeri, 17, a Gateway Regional High School Senior, shows a selfie he took in front of Montgomery Marketplace during the scavenger hunt, which was part of “The Big Reveal.” He won out of the five participants who drove to all six of the Gateway Hilltowns following clues.

Country Journal • Thursday, June 28, 2018 page 3

Sixth grade students from New Hingham Regional Elementary School, Westhampton Elementary School, William E. Norris School, Williamsburg Schools and R. H. Conwell Elementary School visited Hampshire Regional High School to prepare for their transition to 7th grade. Current 7th students at Hampshire Regional High School welcomed the elementary school students with a drumming performance. The performance was facilitated by Otha Day of “Drum to the Beat! Drum Circles for Community, Connection, and Creativity,” Monday, June 18.

Submitted photos by Norm Cotnoir

HILLTOWNS

By Michael [email protected]

An eight-way race for state repre-sentative to replace the retiring Stephen Kulik will highlight primary election ballots in September.

The state Elections Division con-firmed earlier this month that eight Democrats will contest the Sept. 4 state representative primary election in Chester, Chesterfield, Cummington, Goshen, Huntington, Middlefield, Williamsburg and Worthington, along with several Franklin County towns. The list of candidates for county and district offices was released last week.

Representative candidates for Kulik’s seat are Kate Welch Albright-Hanna of Huntington, Andrew Baker of Shelburne, Natalie Blais of Sunderland, Christine Doktor of Cummington, Jonathan Edwards of Whately, Casey Thomas Pease o f Wor th ing ton , Nathaniel Waring of Sunderland and Francia Wisnewski of Montague. The winner of the primary will likely be elected, as no Republican or indepen-dent candidates were nominated.

In the district formerly represent-ed by the late Peter Kocot, including Montgomery and Westhampton, voters

will also face a Democratic primary and no Republican or independent candi-dates. The primary choice is between Lindsay Sabadosa of Northampton and Diana Szynal of Hatfield.

Democratic voters will decide a contested primary race between state Sen. Adam Hinds, of Pittsfield, and challenger Thomas Wickham, of Lee, in the district that includes B e c k e t , B l a n d f o r d , C h e s t e r , Chesterfield, Cummington, Goshen, H u n t i n g t o n , M i d d l e f i e l d , O t i s , Plainfield, Sandisfield, Westhampton, Williamsburg, Worthington and sever-al other towns in Berkshire and west-ern Franklin counties. As with the state representative races, there are no Republican or independent candidates.

State Sen. Donald Humason Jr., R-Westfield, whose district includes Montgomery and Russell, has no pri-mary or general election opponent. State Rep. William “Smitty” Pignatelli, D-Lee, whose district includes Becket, Blandford, Otis, Russell and Sandisfield, is likewise uncontested.

The re w i l l be a November race for governor’s council, with 8th Distr ict Councilor Mary Hurley, D-Longmeadow, facing a challenge from independent candidate Mike

Franco of Holyoke. The 8th District cov-ers all of Western Massachusetts.

Three candidates are running for Hampden County register of deeds. Incumbent Donald Ashe and Cheryl Coakley-Rivera, both from Springfield, will meet in the Democratic primary election, and face Marie Angelides, R - L o n g m e a d ow, i n N ove m b e r. Hampden County District Attorney Anthony Gulluni, D-Springfield, is uncontested for re-election. Towns in Hampden County include Blandford, Chester, Montgomery and Russell.

Hampshire County’s district attor-ney and register of deeds — David Sullivan, D-Easthampton, and Mary Olberding, D-Belchertown — are both running for re-election without contest. Towns in Hampshire County include Chesterfield, Cummington, Goshen, Huntington, Middlefield, Plainfield, Westhampton, Wil l iamsburg and Worthington.

Berkshire County towns, includ-ing Becket, Otis and Sandisfield, will see a three-way Democratic prima-ry contest for district attorney, among Paul Caccaviello of Dalton, Andrea Harrington of Richmond and Judith Knight of Lee. There is no Republican candidate.

There is only one candidate for reg-ister of deeds in the Berkshire Southern District, which includes Sandisfield: Michelle Laramee-Jenny, an indepen-dent candidate from West Stockbridge. There is likewise only one candidate in the Berkshire Middle District, which includes Becket and Otis: incumbent Patricia “Patsy” Harris, D-Hinsdale.

The deadlines to file nomination papers, withdraw or object to a candi-date have passed. The names for the primary election ballot are set. The only way for an additional candidate to appear on the November general elec-tion ballot would be to win a party pri-mary as a write-in candidate. To win as a write-in, the candidate would have to garner at least as many votes as it would have taken on nomination papers — 150 for state representative and 300 for state senator, for example.

The state primary election is Tuesday, Sept. 4, the day after Labor Day. The state general election will be Tuesday, Nov. 6.

In addition to regional offices, vot-ers will also decide elections for U.S. Senator, U.S. representative, governor and other statewide executive offices. The nomination deadlines for those elec-tions have not yet passed.

Primary elections to fill Kocot, Kulik vacancies

TO A DIFFERENT BEAT

Hampshire and Chesterfield-Goshen Regional School Districts and the municipal schools of Southampton, Westhampton and Williamsburg are pleased to announce the appointment of Nancy Parlakulas as the new Director of Pupil Services. Parlakulas is cur-rently the Director of Pupil Services for the Gill-Montague Regional School

District in Turners Falls. Parlakulas previously served as a special educa-tion teacher and the Special Education Department Coordinator at Hampshire Regional. She also worked at Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School, as well as teaching English in Istanbul Turkey. Parlakulas will begin work in early July.

Hampshire Schools welcome new pupil services director

Hill town Choral Society and Berksh i re Hi l l smen Barber shop Chorus team up to present a Summer Celebration Concert at St. Mary’s Church in Cheshire on Friday June 29 at 7 p.m. The public is welcome, recep-tion to follow. Suggested donation of $8 ($5 for seniors and students) and will benefit equally the Hilltown Group, the Barbershop Chorus and St. Mary’s Church for missions.

In addit ion, Hil l town Choral Society will be participating in the town of Worthington’s 250th celebration with a concert on Sunday, July 1, at 5 p.m. At that concert, a song written for the town of Worthington by the late Rolande Schrade will be performed. Hilltown Choral Society is based in Worthington with Jeffrey W. Hunt Music Director. For more information please contact Jeff at 413 499-7320.

Hilltown Choral Society and Berkshire Hillsmen Barbershop Chorus to perform

Hilltown Community Health Centers is pleased to announce that it now has free, in-person appointments with its insurance Navigator every Friday at the Worthington Health Center from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The Navigator is available to answer

general questions about insurance or to provide insurance application or re-enroll-ment application assistance. To make an appointment or for additional information, please call 413-667-2203 ex 330 or email [email protected].

Health insurance assistance now available Fridays at HCHC Worthington location

The Hilltown Artisans Guild in Conjunction with Worthington’s 250th celebration will have its annual Summer show and sale on Saturday, June 30, and

Sunday, July 1, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.

Great fine arts and other handcrafted items.

Hilltown Artisans Guild to hold summer show during Worthington’s 250th celebration

Hilltown ArtisAns Guild

sHow & sAlEJune 30 & July 1, 10 - 5 each day

FINE ARTS & HANDCRAFTED ITEMS

In Conjunction with Worthington’s250th Celebration

Come see the Parade, 10 AM, Saturday, June 30

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‘Promises to Maketo Yourself’By Christine Charnosky

“Promise not to compare yourself to oth-ers” – Bryan Golden.

The Country Journal often receives emailed columns that are offered for the paper to run. I rarely even read these let alone pub-lish them, but this one called “Promises to Make to Yourself” caught my eye.

Bryan Golden, author of “Dare to Live Without Limits,” submitted a column last week. I will first say: 1) I have never heard of him nor read his book, and 2) I am using some material from his column, but not his column in its entirety nor as he presented it; there-fore, I will use his name when referencing his material.

Golden says that we make promises to others, but we don’t tend to make promises to ourselves.

A majority of people don’t seem to look out for themselves very well and subsequently get trampled on by others.

“If you don’t take care of yourself, no one else will,” Golden says.

One way to take care of ourselves is to: “promise not to compare yourself to others.”

I compare myself to others all the time!In fact, I compete against myself con-

stantly as well. I wear a Fitbit 24/7, and I routinely compare the current day’s statistics – miles, minutes and exercise goals – to see how they relate to the previous day, week, month etc.

I compare myself to others when it comes to the “typical” categories: looks, achieve-ments, job, money, friends, but we really need to stop comparing ourselves!

An important thing to note: Others do a good enough job of comparing us to others, so we don’t need to do this to ourselves.

We have all participated in this terrible game as well: comparing children against their siblings or cousins or friends; comparing spouses to friends’ spouses; pitting one friend against another in the comparison game, and the list goes on.

It’s difficult to explain why one shouldn’t compare themselves to others because all the clichés surface about how everyone is unique, and no one can fill your shoes or whatever.

Golden says, “Whatever someone else has or doesn’t have is irrelevant. You should be monitoring your progress towards your goals. All that matters is where you are compared to where you want to be.”

Here are some of Golden’s other promises to help us in the quest to take care of our-selves:

“Promise to always make the best of whatever circumstances you are facing. You can’t always control what happens, but you do have control over your response.”

“Promise to be self-reliant. Your life is your responsibility. You are responsible for where you are and where you are headed. Don’t blame anyone else. It’s up to you to

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

of Summer

In response to Mr. Mason’s letter:‘Americans need to regain their free-

dom from tyranny,’ in the June 21 Country Journal

To the Editor:As usual the freedom letter, is a mixing

of past with present. And how we really got to where we are. I think the best way to do this is to do it by paragraph.

First paragraph - Our sacred principles, Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. As of the Bill of Rights. There is no men-tion of equality or justice for all. The Bill of Rights guaranties ten right of which no one can violate not even the three branches of government.

Second paragraph- We did come from all over in the pursuit of freedom. But we also came to form a new culture called the US of A. based on freedom. Where our ancestors formed an imperfect union on which to build a country. The experiment in democracy is alive and prospering. We may not agree on everything, that is why we have debates, to hear and talk about and to come to an agreement. This is not a perfect gov-ernment, if it were we would be bored. Our native culture of our country of origin was kept in our own community, and outside the community was English. In the late 1800s They came and learned English, so they could belong.

Third paragraph- We are a nation of laws and regulations. And the only way to show a bad law or regulation is to enforce it. Then we know how bad it really is. As blaming the current administration for enforcing a bad law or rule is dumb. The previous administration is the one who past the rule on executive order, and two out of three federal judges passed it as legal. In regarding the current goings on at the bor-der. As for rights and privileges, pay atten-tion to the Patriot Act passed by Congress in 2002. It violates the First and Fourth Amendments. And that was a joint congress that passed it. We must remember, we have a legal way to become a citizen. And some who do chose to do so must take responsi-

bility to fill out and finish the paperwork,or risk deportation. This has happened more often than not.

Fourth paragraph- The checks and bal-ances have been missing a long time. It began in the 90s when our courts became political, with one party or another. In fact, our courts at times have written their own laws or changed the wording in a law, as in the case of the Affordable Care Act. When Justice Roberts changed the wording from fee to tax. By rights the law should have been sent back to congress, for clarification, under the law. There is no truth in media. Remember the media and the debates, they gave us Trump, because they thought he would be an easy win for Clinton. As for protection from crime look to your courts and how real criminals are let free. Sit in a court room at a criminal trial and see what happens in court.

Fifth paragraph- On this I have to agree. Our politicians have deceived us. When a politician raises more funds in other states then their own, just who do they represent? Sense when do corporations have the right to vote, I was led to believe that was one person one vote. Oh, I forgot it is all about money. And all about Party.

Sixth paragraph- First in the 17th cen-tury there was no such thing as an undoc-umented immigrant. And you forgot that it was middle America that elected our current President. Not the Hollywood elite or the wealthy and powerful. And just how power-ful? Look at what is going on and wake up. Never in our history has a president been so victimize as this one. The deep State is upset because he is a threat to their way of life. Deep State is a reference to agencies within our government that seem to answer to no particular branch of government. Or attach themselves to a political party.

I believe if we are to regain control of our government we need term limits. If a congressmen or congresswomen has been in office more than two terms, they are the problem and not the cure.

Ted Cousineau Blandford

Discussion on freedom continued

Corrections policyIf you notice a factual error in our

pages, please let us know, so that we can set the record straight. Email information to [email protected], or call us at 667-3211.

Corrections will be printed in the same section where the error originally occurred.

To the Editor:In light of the most recent self-inflicted

national government crisis involving refu-gees from Central America, we are well-ad-vised to remember the so-called Golden Rule, from our Christian Bible, Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, Matthew verses 1-12. These twelve verses lay out the most basic universal truths and laws of human conduct. These truths and laws are based on millennia of experience, economic and moral success and failure, spiritual karma and justice, as well as the dictates of sus-tainable government and social organiza-tion. The simple and direct verses begin “Judge not, that ye be not judged.” They end with the equally profound “So what-ever you wish that others would do to you,

do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.”

We are informed by these twelve verses that we are responsible and accountable. Our conduct is judged, our future fate will be dictated by how we treat others. There’s no excuse, no waiver, no legal loophole, no presidential pardon in a back pocket somewhere. Criminalizing, caging, sepa-rating families and abusing innocent chil-dren of international immigrants and refu-gees is one of the worst possible offenses against this law, as much as any past offens-es including slavery, Indian and Japanese internment. We now have a new, additional, heavy and very painful price to pay.

Derrick MasonRussell

Don’t forget the ‘Golden Rule’

OPINION

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Mai l le t te r or bring them to the office, located at Country Journal, 19 Main St., Chester, MA 01011. The office is open Mon.and Thurs. noon to 5 p.m. and Tues. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. or email letter to: [email protected].

ISSN NO. 0747-2471

MOUNTAINMusings

MUSINGS, page 5


LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Rethink Mass.Turnpike exitTo the Editor:

Much discussion about an exit from the Mass. Turnpike seems to be centered around fixing a problem with truck traf-fic in Westfield. The issue of congestion need to be solved in Westfield and not foisted on the Hilltowns. An exit from the pike on Route 20, four to five miles west of downtown Westfield would solve the problem and give access to the pike for residents on the west side of town as well as people living in the Hilltowns. This would be a far more cost-effective way to spend tax dollars. The road and bridge infrastructure in the Hilltowns cannot support additional truck traffic. The budgets of these small towns are already strapped, and the state has shown little inclination to help repair the roads and bridges that are now crumbling.

The planners from the state could serve those of us in the Berkshires by making rail travel available, promoting our natural resource venues and working with local residents and businesses in a sustainable and more durable manner. We have hiking, skiing, canoeing, camp-ing, as well as theater, music and restau-rants all set out in a beautiful landscape. An exit with its incumbent liabilities will destroy the very things that make our rural towns a destination point for many, and a home for those of us who live here.

Besides building yet another high-way, let’s think about working with what and who we have here in the Berkshires and a more commonsense approach to spending our tax dollars.

Neil F Toomey Becket

To the Editor:Plainfield born and raised Megan

Davis lives across the street from us. We’ve watched her grow up in our very small and rural Hilltown. Many years ago, she started running in the annual Plainfield Road Race that takes place every Labor Day weekend during the Firefighter’s Barbecue. I’ve seen many runners come and go over the past 43 years the race has been run.

When Megan entered and started winning the “Youth Race 14 and under Award,” you could tell she was a pret-ty good runner; then, still not 14, she started winning the overall race also. On to Mohawk Trail Regional High School, our regional high school, and as a 7th grader, she’s running varsity cross country, winter track and spring track and field. Soon she’s starting to win

races as a middle schooler in varsity competition. We sometimes forget how young she was during those years.

Recently, she completed her junior year at Mohawk and what a year that has been. Running under the watchful eye of Coaches Hall of Fame mem-ber Joe Chadwick, she had an incred-ible spring outdoor season. Topped off by finishing 8th overall at the New Balance High School Outdoor National Championship in the Girl’s Emerging Elite Division two-mile run in scorch-ing hot conditions in North Carolina. Yes . . . National Championship. All the way from Plainfield, Massachusetts.

Previous to that race she was a “top 3” finisher in the MIAA All State and New England Championship, where she ran a personal best 10:56.13 in the two-mile run. How did she get to this

level? Hard work and commitment. You might have seen her running

on Plainfield roadways, or Ashfield, Hawley. Summer, Fall, Winter, Spring she is driven and special. Huge family and friend support certainly help, but at some point, to get to this “elite” level, the drive must come from within.

So, if you see Megan this sum-mer, maybe on the roads or just around town, congratulate her on her success to date and wish all the best as she moves into her senior year and beyond. Oh, by the way, she is a Student Athlete, ranked near the top of her class at Mohawk.

Thank you, Megan, for all your hard work, born and raised in our small town.

David AlvordPlainfield

The girl next door: A tribute to Plainfield youth

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fix mistakes you have made. Look in the mirror to remind yourself who’s in charge.”

This is a very powerful promise to make to yourself!

“Promise to get back up when you fall or stumble. Setbacks will arise on the road to success,” Golden says.

If you are going to compare your-self to others, then realize EVERYONE falls or stumbles at one time or another. Don’t compare your stumbles to their

successes.These promises seem paramount to

get the focus off oneself; Golden says: “Promise to help others” and

“Promise to be ethical and honest. “Never act to harm anyone.

Besides being wrong, taking advantage of people will boomerang right back at you” – i.e. Karma.

“Your wellbeing is paramount,” Golden says. “It’s not selfish. Taking care of yourself does not detract from

others.”Flight attendants instruct passen-

gers that if the oxygen masks drop, you need to put it on yourself before put-ting it on a child or someone else who needs assistance. At first that sounds terrible, but the message is: if you don’t take care of yourself first, you will be unable to take care of others. Therefore, if you don’t care about yourself enough to take care of yourself then the ironic twist is: do it for others.

MUSINGS from page 4

READ OR SUBSCRIBE TO THE COUNTRY JOURNAL ONLINE AT: COUNTRYJOURNAL.TURLEY.COM

CUMMINGTON

CUMMINGTON – The Kingman Tavern Museum will open for the 2018 summer season on Saturday, July 14, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. The museum will open Saturdays through Aug. 25. Guided tours are offered of the Tavern. The Barn and Carriage Shed tours are self-guided. Programs are offered on most Saturdays. Refreshments are served on the lawn & picnicking is encouraged. Admission is free however donations are accepted.

Note: The Cummington Historical Commission invites is looking to hire guides and is seeking people to offer a program related to the early history of the area such as farming related, music, gardening and crafts.

Housed in an early 1800s tavern, the Kingman Tavern Museum facility consists of a furnished house and several

outbuildings housing over 5,000 artifacts depicting Cummington’s history from the late 1700s to the mid-1900s. Most items were lovingly donated by Cummington families in honor of their ancestors. While the rich display is not categorized by discrete time period, it collectively presents a mosaic of 200 years of farm, industrial and domestic life in a small western Massachusetts Hilltown.

The two-story house, used as a tav-ern in the early 19th century, includes a replica of a well-stocked general store, a kitchen, parlor rooms and bedrooms, as well as rooms dedicated to textiles, military history, light industry, millinery and clothing.

Please call Pat at 413-563-1981 or Carla at 413-695-6569 for more infor-mation.

The Kingman Tavern Museum to open Saturdays, July 14 through Aug. 25 CUMMINGTON – The annu-

al Hilltown tradition of Bryant Day is a celebration of history, literature, nature and craft in a beautiful setting on Saturday, July 21, from noon to 4 p.m.

The day’s tenta t ive sched-ule includes: guided walks along the Rivulet Trail, two special historic talks by well-known authors, 19th century style dancing by Civil War era ballroom dancers, house tours and tours of the 19th century barn.

Food and specialty craft vendors plus booths by local historical societies!

Author Frank Gado will speak at 12:45 p.m. on “Bryant, Cole.

the Hudson River School, and the Emergence of American Literature.” Historian and author Carole Owens will speak at 1:35 p.m. on “Remarkable Women of New England.” The speak-ers will be followed by the Civil War

ballroom dancers. Come to the Hilltowns of Western MA and experi-ence the place that inspired Bryant’s nature poetry!

C o s t i s : M e m b e r A d u l t : $5;Member Child: $3;Nonmember Adult: $10;Nonmember Child: $6;

Please contact the trustees for more information: 413-200-7262 OR [email protected].

July 21 is Bryant Day at the Homestead

A family of Canada geese chill near a pond in Cummington, Friday, June 22. Photo by Richard Chapman

FAMILY BONDSPurchase a photo that recently ran in one of our publications.

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HUNTINGTON

HUNTINGTON – All are welcome to celebrate God’s blessings at 9:30 a.m. worship on Sunday when Pastor Charles Cinelli will preach on “Celebrating Our Freedom.” Freedom is the key element

as Americans celebrate their nation’s freedom and the freedom Jesus Christ can give to their souls. Children will remain upstairs during the summer months.

Huntington Evangelical Church: ‘Celebrating our Freedom’

HUNTINGTON – The Council on Aging announces two more trips for this year:

Saturday, Sept . 15, a t r ip to New York’s Sep t . 11 Memor ia l and Museum. Cos t i s $99 and includes admission to 9/11 Memorial & Museum, visit to Rockefeller Center and luxury Silver Fox Motor Coach. Payment is due by Sept. 10.

Tuesday, Nov. 27, a trip to Foxwoods

“Legends” Christmas show. Cost is $79. “Legends” is the longest running

tribute show in entertainment histo-ry. “Legends in Concert” features the greatest collection of celebrity imper-sonators such as Elvis, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston and more. Includes buffet lunch, slot play bonus, “Legends in Concert” performance and luxury Silver Fox Motor Coach. Payment due by Nov. 20.

Buses depart from Westfield and Huntington on both dates. Please note that the Huntington COA does not upcharge for trips. The above prices are exactly what is paid to the touring company. Through the generosity of the Huntington COA, town residents receive $20 off listed prices.

Contact Helen @ 413.512-5200, or Jen @ 413.512.5205 for reservations & questions.

COA travelers bus trips continue in the fall: 9/11 Museum

Ellen Barry performs and discusses Shakespeare’s Women at the Historic North Hall Arts Festival, Sunday, June 24.

Photo by Richard Chapman

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PALMER OFFICE

STAFF WRITER SOUGHT FORCHICOPEE AND LUDLOW

The Chicopee Register and The Register, weekly community newspapers, are seeking a staff writer to report local news in Chicopee and Ludlow. Applicants must be dependable, have a passion for community journalism, feature reporting, editing, social media; be able to cover evening meetings and meet strict deadlines. The successful candidate will maintain cultural, political, educational and municipal relationships within their respective territory. Photography skills and own camera a plus. This is a full-time position. We will consider less experienced applicants, but a journalism degree is desired.

Three writing samples required with resume:Rich Wirth, Editor

24 Water Street, Palmer, MA 01069Or email directly to [email protected]

Give a man a fish, and he’ll have food for one day. Teach him to catch fish and

he’ll spend all day at the lake drinking beer. - Author unknown

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EARLYDEADLINEDue to the 4TH OF JULY Holiday the

COUNTRY JOURNALAdvertising Deadline will be

Thursday, June 28for the Thursday, July 5 edition

24 Water StreetPalmer, MA 01069www.turley.com

The First Congregational Church, UCC, located at 6 Searle Road, wel-comes everyone, seekers, believers and wonderers alike, on their journey of faith to join in 10 a.m. Sunday wor-ship followed by fellowship and refresh-ments.

During the month of July, the First Congregational Churches of Huntington and Chester celebrate a long tradition of worshipping together. On Sunday, July 1, and Sunday, July 8, both con-

gregations worship at the Chester Hill Church, located at 334 Skyline Trail, in Chester. On Sunday, July 15, and Sunday, July 22, both congregations worship at the Norwich Hill Church, located at 6 Searle Road, in Huntington. The combined Sunday services will begin at 9:30 a.m. Bible Study with Rev. Carol will not meet during July.

For more information, please call: 413-667-3935 or email [email protected].

Norwich Hill Church: July 1 and July 8

PoetryCorner••

“ReflectingReflections”

The reflection from a crystal chipWithin a long ignored rock,

Its glitter caught my eyeOne bright spring morn.

And I thought of all the lost childrenIgnored within this careless place

To wander this obscure world alone.Does anyone ever see their glitter?

The rock – it has no feelingJust is from day to day.

These children’s lives are reeling,They hope, they wish, they pray.

Fred Caron

Submissions are always welcome.Send us your engagement,

wedding, anniversary,baby and graduation

news and photos.

Country Journal19 Main Street,

Chester, MA [email protected]


CHESTER

By Peter Spotts

CHESTER – Pioneer Val ley Planning Commission is going to be commencing a feasibility study for con-necting the Highlands Footpath to the center of town through a few possible routes.

The study is being funded by a $10,000 grant through Healthy Hampshire.

PVPC’s Dillon Sussman and Patty Gambarini met with the selectmen on Monday, June 18, to discuss the plans for the study and get approval.

“The idea is to figure out safe road walking. I believe you’ve adopted a com-plete streets policy, so part of this is to figure out what complete streets means in a rural context,” Sussman explained.

“We know in an urban context it means having sidewalks and crossing walks, countdown timers and all of that, but that doesn’t apply everywhere in Chester.”

The walking study will cover three different routes, all originating from the center of town. Segment one heads down Route 20 East to Round Hill Round and then progresses from there to Griffin Brook Road, linking up to the Highlands Footpath Spur and Chester-Blandford State Forest.

Segment two travels Route 20 West to the trailhead by Walter Island Campground. Segment three heads up Middlefield Road and Gobble Mountain Trailhead, where it can link to the Highlands Footpath.

“Some of this still has to be dis-cussed and negotiated,” Pattie said.

“We’re looking at roadway right of ways. We’re looking at a range of potential ways to do that.”

Sussman added, “In part, it’s saying what is feasible? What’s worth prioritiz-ing? Is it worth connecting the center to this trail?”

Se lec tman Barbara Huntoon asked the group to consider looking at Keystone Arches as well – if it’s not a viable spot to link to another trail, then perhaps getting more parking spaces could be an option to pursue.

“The Keystone arches trail is used quite a bit, but people have to drive and park there,” Huntoon said. “It would actually be better if we could get more parking there. That would be helpful because parking is limited. People use the trail all year round.”

Andy Myers told the board they were considering a group consisting of the PVPC representatives, Economic Development Coordinator Jeanne LeClair, Dave Pierce, Chet Brett, and possibly a member of the Highway Department as part of the walking group. Baldasaro said Brett and Pierce are exactly the guys in town the group will want providing input.

“That’s the crew right there. Right now, they’re doing the stone boundar-ies of the town that hasn’t been done in years,” Baldasaro agreed. “They would be ideal for that. They’re very famil-iar with a lot of these trails and a lot of these landmarks. I think that’s your ideal group.”

“We look forward to seeing what you come up with,” he added.

PVPC to conduct walking feasability study for Highlands Footpath

CHESTER – The North Chester Chapel Association with Chester Hill Association would like to invite all to the first of remaining two summer 2018 events.

On Sunday, July 15, at 4 p.m., there will be a Chapel favorite, poetry reading. Come celebrate the written word and

read an original or favorite.On Sunday, August 19, at 4 p.m.,

back for a command performance, The Ne’er Do-Wells – Living Historians and Musicians. Songs from 1680-1880. English Folk, Chanties, Irish Rally Songs and songs from the Civil War. For more information, call 413-667-8787.

Chapel Association summer events

CHESTER – The Cornerstone Christian Church, a Bible based, non-denominational church, invites all to its weekly service Sunday service at 10 a.m. Children church starts at 10:30 a.m.

Every Wednesday will be prayers at the church with Pastor Mike and Kim Kunkle at 7 p.m.

This Friday, June 29, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. will be a wild cook out with s’mores, hot dogs, hobo pies and who knows what else.

Friday, July 6, will be campfire treats and ice cream sundaes.

The Gaga Pit and Corn Hole will be open every Friday, except movie nights, weather permitting.

For more information, email the church at [email protected] or call 413-354-7832.

Cornerstone Christian Church is on Facebook at www.vmchurches.org/page/cornerstone-christian-church/.

CHESTER – The Chester Summer Market will continue this Sunday, July 1, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 10 Middlefield Road – held outside rain or shine.

Every year all of the money col-lected will be donated to different areas in the community. This year, funds raised from renting vendor spaces will be donated to the Chester Recreation Committee to be used to purchase bleachers for Emery Field.

Organizer Adrianne Johnson said,

“I wanted to start an outdoor summer market where people in the community can walk to, that has everything local-ly made from vegetables and plants to handmade crafts and home consultant products.”

Residents interested in participating can contact Johnson by email at [email protected] or go on Facebook: Chester Summer Market.

Future dates for the market include: Sundays July 15, July 29, Aug. 5, Aug. 19, Sept. 2, Sept. 16 and Sept. 30.

Second week of Summer Market in Chesteron Sunday, July 1, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

CHESTER – Chester native, Erin Daley, graduated in May from the Elms College with an MBA in Health Care Administration. Daley graduat-

ed from Chester Elementary School, Gateway Regional Middle School and High School and the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Local resident graduates with MBA from Elms

Fog settles on the mountains behind the train tracks along Middlefield Road in Chester, Sunday, June 24. Photo by Christine Charnosky

MISTY MOUNTAINS All welcome at Cornerstone Christian Church

Western Mass Environmental of West Springfield work on removing old gas tanks from in front of Carm’s Restaurant and Charlie’s Garage on Route 20 in Chester, Friday, June 22. On May 1, Aaron Allen and Erin Patrick, who own the Chester Common Table, bought the restaurant and defunct gas station from owners Bob and Mary Gauthier. Gas used to flow from the station for more than 40 years, but it was too cost-prohibitive for the new owners to keep the gas station going. A worker from Western Mass Environmental said they were removing three 6,000-gallon tanks from approximately 10 to 12 feet below the parking lot. Photos by Christine Charnosky

RUNNING ON EMPTY


GATEWAY

The Education Committee of the Gateway Task Force on Sustainability is releasing a set of findings from sev-eral years of community outreach. The committee’s report outlines its mis-sion, challenges and dozens of sugges-tions submitted by Gateway parents, students, elected officials and service agency leaders.

A c c o r d i n g t o E d u c a t i o n Committee members Derrick Mason and Joe Kearns, since 2014, the com-mittee has been working behind the scenes, looking at anything that can help - or hinder – the schools’ ability to deliver top-quality education, to help schools become a more dynamic center of activity.

“It’s time to get more creative about how our schools can better serve everyone in our communities,” Mason said. “And we’re not alone. Schools all over Western Mass. are in trouble, and there are lots of reasons for that. We need to help each other find positive solutions soon, or we will have to make some hard choices.”

The Educat ion Committee’s four-page report was presented to the regional joint task force of Town-School leaders on June 14 and will be distributed to the public by email and Facebook.

Committee member Ruth Kennedy points to long-term trends that highlight the committee’s concerns.

“In the last 15 years, our pub-lic-school enrollment dropped from above 1,500 to below 900, while the annual cost per student rose from about $5,000, to $13,000,” Kennedy said. “Families are shelling out more and more, for less education. We have lost many vocational courses. Half our school buildings are empty. Families are sending their kids to other school districts, voc schools, private schools, charter schools, home schooling.

“We have to do things differently, for the sake of our kids and our towns. And it’s not just in our local towns; all around us, schools face some very tough decisions.”

To receive a copy of the report, or to offer suggestions, helpful citizens are asked to contact Hilltown Citizens 4 Education at PO Box 1213, Westfield MA 01086, or send email to [email protected]. All contact will be kept confidential by the committee.

The Committee’s report is also posted online, on its website and Facebook page:

Website: https://gatewayedcom.wordpress.com/

Gateway Education Committee issues report

The YMCA of Greater Westfield is offering a Y’s Kids After School program for students attending Gateway Regional Middle School, provided enough parents sign up by June 29.

The “Y’s Kids” program is state licensed and offers a balanced daily and weekly schedule that includes arts and humanities, character development, healthy living, homework, literacy, sci-ence, engineering, technology and math (STEM), service-learning and social com-petence. The schedule also includes free choice; small group, individual and large group time; project time; indoor and out-door time; and a healthy snack. It will be open daily from school dismissal until 6 p.m.

Families may select a two, three, four or five day schedule but the same weekly schedule must be committed to for the

year. A minimum enrollment is required

to run this program. Interested parents should complete and return both the letter of intent and schedule form to the YMCA of Greater Westfield along with a deposit of $75 (check only), which will be applied to program fees. The YMCA will deter-mine by July 1 whether there is sufficient enrollment to offer the program this fall. If yes, additional registration forms will be required; if no, all deposit checks will be returned.

For more information, please contact Michelle Anamisis, Youth Development Director (email: [email protected] or call 413-568-8631 ext. 306.

Additional information and forms are going home in 5th grade red folders, are available in the middle school office, and online (www.grsd.org).

“Y’s Kids” afterschool at Gateway Middle School, enrollment needed by June 29

With about a dozen novels in various stages of completion, it can be said that Gateway junior Nathan Solitario is a prolific writer, which might explain why his school counselor, Meghan Wasiak, encouraged him to apply to take part in the Young Writer’s Conference in Burlington, Vermont.

This was the 18th year of this popular three-day confer-ence for high school students, held May 25 to 27 on the Champlain College cam-pus. Staffed by celebrated New England authors, poets and songwriters the week-end offered readings, Improv, Moth sto-rytelling, poetry slams, and literary jazz/blues fusion.

The application process required a writing sample, which Nate described as an uncertain and stressful experience. He wrote draft after draft before finally settling on sending in the introduction to one of his books.

Part of the weekend included a one-to-one critique of that sample by a published author. Other students had returned from their appointments with the author full of feedback and advice on

how to improve their writing. So it was with great trepida-tion that Solitario approached his turn.

“That was the most arti-ficially scared I’ve ever been in my life,” he laughed. “That writing is my baby.” The appointment didn’t go as expected.

“I arrived, and he said, ‘Hey dude, I’ve gotta tell you. Most kids would probably kill

to have what you have.’The conference stretched his writing

to new places, and he finds himself now working on a comic that features “derpy characters.”

One of the weekend’s highlights was being selected to judge the poetry slam contest. “I was the Simon Cowell of the panel. I have a dry sense of humor and I was little callous at times, but to great applause from the audience.”

A junior at Gateway Regional High School, Solitario plans to major in math-ematics and loves the idea of becoming a teacher. He has always felt an affinity for young children — they seem drawn to him — but would also enjoy high school physics or algebra.

Solitario accepted, attended Young Writer’s Conference at Champlain College in May

Nathan Solitario

Budget passedall six member towns

Gateway staff members are pleased that, with the assistance of local town officials, the budget for the

2018 to 2019 school was passed by all six member towns during the regular annual town meetings. This allows for a much better work flow over the summer in pre-paring for the upcoming school year rather than spending time developing new bud-gets for reconsideration by the towns. It was certainly a much different atmosphere at each annual Town Meeting this year, including having elected officials from other towns there to support the district’s budget request.

This marks an important, and ongo-ing, change in collaboration with member towns that started with the Massachusetts Association of Regional Schools study of the district two years ago. This study and its results (which may be found on the district’s website) outlined some potential

areas of change. In addition to looking at needs in the district (such as the potential to add new, shared administrative posi-tions) the study also suggested a more collaborative method of developing the budget and a series of ‘facilitated’ discus-sions between district stakeholders.

The budget recommendation was put into place with joint budget sessions between school committee and town offi-cials throughout the past year that we will continue as we begin developing the fis-cal 2020 budget in September. It was a very informative process as all partici-pants were able to see the budget being put together, questions were answered regard-ing specific line items, and a much greater understanding of how the budget supports students was gained by all.

Facilitated discussions also occurred throughout the year, beginning with some difficult questions and sharing of financial information between the school and towns, but quickly settled into a process focus-ing on some important core items such

as the need to stabilize town assessments over time. This resulted in a collaborative effort to develop the regional amendment that the towns passed this year, an alterna-tive assessment method whereby all towns would see an identical percentage increase in their assessments rather than the signifi-cant swings of prior years. Those involved in this process (town officials, school committee members and administrators) all agreed to continue the process for the coming year and started this process on June 14 with a long and productive discus-sion with Rep. Smitty Pignatelli.

Upcoming issues include developing more updates to the regional agreement for the towns to ratify; building state support for small, rural school districts; and seek-ing state help with sustaining the initial successes in improving and growing col-laboration within the district.

I concur with what was expressed sev-eral times over the course of our annual town meetings: as a unified entity, our six member towns and the school district

have a much better chance of gaining state support to sustain both the towns and our school district. We’ve finally gained the attention of the state and our suc-cesses are being noticed. From potential shared positions, to our economic devel-opment coordinator; from state funding for IT improvements to the developing broad-band connectivity; and from facilitated meetings to an unusual approval to amend just one article in the regional agreement, we’ve shown that we can work together and make changes successfully.

As we move forward in building upon this collaborative framework, I look forward to even more stories of success. From growing the school district (for example, the implementation of full-day preschool) to growing local businesses and even considering a new turnpike exit, we are a collection of entities on the move to improve ourselves, our towns, and our opportunities.

SUPERINTENDENT’S CORNER David B. Hopson

Parents & CoachesSEND US YOUR NEWS & PHOTOSemail us at: [email protected]

CHESTERFIELD

CHESTERFIELD – Dan Berniche of the Berniche Family Farm, located at 222 South St., will be opening his farm soon for Pick-Your-Own blue-berries. Dan and his family hope to open mid-July, pending on Mother Nature to determine the exact open-ing date. They will be selling pick-your-own berries by the pound and the Berniche farm stand will offer fresh

picked pints daily. Dan is excited to restore this farm in Chesterfield and hopes to see folks there this season. Please follow the farm’s Facebook page, Berniche Family Farm, for reg-ular updates, hours and an official opening day. To contact for picking conditions, email [email protected], or call 413-335-7840.

Blueberry season approaching at the Berniche Family Farm: Pick-Your-Own

NEWS & FEATURESAs a paper of record, we attempt to cover all general news, personality profi les, and

community features that we know about. This includes all selectmen and school committee meetings as well as spot planning board, board of health, finance, and other town meetings determined by the issue’s relevance to our readers. There are the annual major community event features that we should always cover, but we are more than open to suggestions of other features to celebrate the fabric of our communities and their many interesting occupants. Our loyal advertisers provide funding for this paid staff coverage.

For more information on news or community features for the Country Journal, please email [email protected].


WORTHINGTON

WORTHINGTON – In celebration of Worthington’s 250th anniversary, June 29 through July 3, the Worthington Historical Society will be open to vis-itors on the afternoons of Saturday and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Monday from 3;30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Tuesday from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Please drop in for the Pelletiers’ photo exhibit of houses then and now –

a selection of memories from the 200th anniversary celebration and others. Also, as a core mission of the Historical Society, on Sunday the community is invited to bring images and documents of historical interest to be scanned into the WHS archive. An appointment can scheduled with Diane Brenner by call 413-238-5593 or emailin [email protected]), or just drop in.

Historical Society set to open for town’s 250th anniversary

WORTHINGTON – Edward and Helen Pelletier of Worthington will be showing their photographic exhib-it of historic Worthington houses, “Ageless Ladies, Then and Now!” at the Worthington Historical Society. This exhibit is on display this weekend in conjunction with Worthington’s 250th celebration and is sponsored by the

Worthington Historical Society. The exhibit will be open for public viewing on Saturday, June 30, and Sunday, July 1, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. both days; on Monday, July 2, from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.; and Tuesday, July 3, from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Pelletiers will be on site on Sunday, July 1, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

‘Ageless Ladies, Then and Now’ photos to be on display this week for 250th

WORTHINGTON – The town of Worthington is inviting everyone to help it mark the 250th anniversary of its founding as a town in 1768 with five days of activities taking place Friday, June 29, through Tuesday, July 3. In addition to numerous opportunities to learn about the town’s fascinating history, the celebra-tion will include great local and regional bands, an arts and crafts fair, and an enor-mous parade. The celebration culminates on the night of Tuesday, July 3, with an impressive fireworks display.

The celebration begins with a pot-luck dinner and dancing on Friday eve-ning, June 29, under the tent on prop-erty next to the town hall. This 250th celebration formal opening event will fea-

ture music provided by Pete McClean & Mike Ingram, Berkshire Mountain Boys, Old Country Road and Jim Kaminski. The winners of the town’s six-month beard-growing contest will also be announced and other prizes awarded.

On Saturday, June 30, State Rep. Steve Kulik (D-Worthington) will serve as Grand Marshal of the parade that begins at 10 a.m. at the airstrip located at the corner of Radiker Road and Route 112 (Huntington Road). The parade, which ends at Starkweather Road, will feature a number of floats, classic cars, local celebrities, a stagecoach, entertain-ers, clowns and much more. The parade will be followed by a cookout on the lawn at the Worthington Congregational

Church that includes a wide variety of food vendors, and games, a petting zoo and pony rides for children.

“The entire town is really embrac-ing this celebration,” said Worthington 250 Committee Chairman Evan Johnson. “Many local businesses and artists are participating in Saturday and Sunday’s Discover Worthington Days, while other residents are providing historical tours and hosting a play and talent show. We hope we have prepared a little something for everyone to enjoy as they join us in honoring our wonderful community.”

The grand finale on Tuesday, July 3, begins at 5 p.m. with a performance fea-turing Resurrection Airmen and the 50th anniversary tour of local favorite FAT at

the music tent. The celebration culmi-nates later that evening with a fireworks display at the airstrip.

A commemorative program featuring all the festivities is available for purchase at the Corners Grocery in Worthington or Friendly Fred’s convenience store in Windsor and will also be available during the celebration along with a selection of commemorative Worthington 250 mer-chandise.

Worthington 250 is the official cel-ebration of the town of Worthington’s 250th anniversary and is organized by a volunteer committee of Worthington residents and friends of Worthington. Visit www.worthington250.com for more information.

Worthington 250th birthday 5-day celebration to feature parade, fireworks, craft show and more

W O R T H I N G T O N – T h e Worthington 250th Committee proudly invites veterans of Worthington and sur-rounding towns to participate in the 250th Celebration Parade on Saturday, June 30. Any veterans who are interested in march-ing in the parade are asked to meet at the airstrip located at 265 Huntington Road (Route 112) before 9:30 a.m. The parade will step off at 10 a.m. from the airstrip and end at Starkweather Hill Road. The

wearing of military uniforms is encour-aged but not required.

Accommodations will be provided for those who would like to participate but are not able to march the full length of the parade route. There will be space available in vehicles for those who aren’t able to march. If anyone has any questions or would like to reserve a seat in a vehicle, please contact Bobby Dodge at 413-684-4311.

Veterans invited to participate in 250th anniversary parade Saturday

By Sherrie Keith-HigginsKym Armstrong, Guest writer

Let me introduce to you Kym Armstrong. She’s a mother and grandmother. She gardens, hikes,

cooks, cans and freezes food she grows. She’s known for her jam and jelly mak-ing and she wants to travel and explore our world more. She’s also an aspiring writer and I know that you will like her.

Although she lives on the other side of the United States, she comes and lives in a small community.From Kym:

Last month at the first glimmer of spring, my family and I started a large garden. From digging the soil to making the rows planting the seeds. The first month was spent weeding and watering. We all worked hard to help the seeds grow and nourish. Now as I sit here overlooking the garden with them, their eyes are full of amazement and pride for

the seedlings are now flourishing and all are starting to blossom. The beans and peas pods are filling up the trellis and my heart is so full of love for them and feeling blessed for this moment of day-dreaming of harvesting the fruits of our labor and them in our meals.

One of our favorite family favorites is a recipe from our good friend Lyle Shawn Conway.

SALMON PASTASERVED WITH WARM BREAD

2 jars (16-oz) Alfredo Sauce1 box (1 lb) pasta (I like penne)1 lb of smoked salmon1 cup each of assorted fresh vegeta-

blesI like spinach, tomatoes, zucchini,

and yellow bell Pepper, kale and onionSalt and pepper to tasteMinced garlic to taste

1. Cook noodles according to package directions or aldente, drain and set aside.

2. In separate pan make sauce with the seasonings and when heated, fold in the fresh vegetables starting with the spinach.

3. Simmer the rest of the vegetables until cooked, drain and place in large bowl. Add the pasta and then gently fold in salmon that has been flaked.

4. Add your choice of warm bread and enjoy.

My Quote for this week:

The glory of gardening, hands in the dirt, head in the sun, heart with nature; to nurture a garden is to feed not just the body, but the soul.

You can reach Sherrie at P.O. Box 34, Worthington, MA 01098 or email her at [email protected].

WORTHINGTON – The First

Church of Worthington Bible Study will break for the summer, resuming on Sept. 6. The group meets the first and third Thursdays of the month, from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. All are wel-come to attend. This is a peer-led Bible study, and the next topic is the book of Isaiah. Please contact Sylvia Lapinski at 413-296-0134 if interest-ed in joining.

Annual game supper scheduled for July 14

W O RT H I N G T O N – T h e Worthington Rod and Gun Club will be holding its annual game supper on Saturday, July 14, at 6 p.m. at the clubhouse located at 548 Dingle Road. Cost is $25 per person, tickets available from members or by calling Jim 413-667-0085.

WORTHINGTON – The “1982 babies” of Worthington will be gather-ing on the steps of Town Hall at noon on June 30, following the Worthington 250th parade, for a retake of the photo that made them famous. In 1982, Worthington experienced a significant baby boom when almost 30 babies were born. The parents and babies posed on the steps of Town Hall that year for a photo featured in Yankee Magazine,

and 18 years later staged a retake of the photo as the “babies” prepared to graduate from high school. Another 18 years have passed, and the “babies,” now adults with children of their own, plan to reassemble for another photo. The organizers encourage anyone who is in touch with one of the former babies to help spread the word. Questions can be directed to Suzanne Kulik at 413-238-5374.

1982 ‘babies’ photo shoot planned

First Church of Worthington: No Bible study for summer


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MIDDLEFIELDPURPLE HEART from page 1

fifth, six and seventh generations because they are from Churchill’s oldest son while Green, her siblings and mother are descended from Churchill’s youngest son.

The ceremony was “very moving,” Green said.

Susan Oppenheimer said she thought maybe 10 people would attend, and she was delighted that so many people showed up. Approximately 100 people, including members of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, American Legion Post 124 from Westfield along with American Legion Bikers and represen-tatives from the 2nd Continental Light Dragoons who dressed in Revolutionary War-period clothing attended and par-ticipated in the ceremony held at Bell Cemetery followed by a reception at Middlefield Town Hall.

Brian Willette, state commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, who served as the master of ceremony for the service, said that after Washington awarded only three Badges of Military Merit, the badge was forgotten for 150 years. In 1932, Gen. Douglas MacArthur revived the Purple Heart in Washington’s memory.

Willette quoted Washington: “The General ever desirous to cherish virtu-ous ambition in his soldiers, as well as to foster and encourage every species of

Military merit directs whenever any sin-gularly meritorious action is performed, the author of it shall be permitted to wear on his facings, over his left breast, the fig-ure of a heart in purple cloth or silk edged with narrow lace or binding.”

The Purple Heart is awarded to “the name of the President of the United States to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the U.S. Armed Services after April 5, 1917 has been wounded, killed, or has died after being wounded,” according to thepurpleheart.com.

Since 1932, 1.8 million Americans have been awarded the Purple Heart with 300,000 awarded for those who fought in Vietnam and 56,000 awarded since Sept. 11, 2001, Willette said.

Damon Bazzeghin, Specialist 4 in the U.S. Army Infantry, served in Vietnam from January 1968 to October 1968. He received a Purple Heart for shrapnel he received from a handgrenade, that killed a fellow soldier in May 1968. He received another Purple Heart from being shot in October 1968, which left him permanent-ly disabled. He was medically retired in July 1969.

Willette spoke for all veterans saying, “We were just doing our job, we were honored to do it and we’d do it again.”

Sen. Adam Hinds said this was a spe-cial moment for all veterans.

“We stand shoulder to shoulder underneath the flag today,” he said.

As Capt. Sal Tarantino of the 2nd Continental Light Dragoons led the libation ceremony, which included all veterans in attendance sipping wine and Tarantino pouring wine in front of Churchill’s grave, he said, “We serve our country, so others can have their freedom.”

Willette said that Middlefield is the 100th community in the Massachusetts to become a Purple Heart town.

Middlefield Town Administration Duane Pease said the town could pick from various designs for the Purple Heart sign. He asked to change to the word “town” to “community,” and they request-ed that information about Churchill be added to the signs.

Bazzeghin said he likes that the signs say, “community.”

The signs are to remind people that freedom is not free, Willette said.

To the veterans in attendance, Tarantino said, “God bless. God speed. Enjoy your lives – you earned it.”

Staff Sgt. Justin Burdette, driver of the van, served in the U.S. Army from 2006 to 2014 with three combat tours – one in Iraq and two in Afghanistan. He was injured in Afghanistan in June 2013.


THE VELVET RESTAURANTLocated at the beautiful Worthington Golf Course

live music under the stars from the lost 45’s

113 Ridge Rd, Worthington, MA 01098 For more information please visit our website www.worthingtongolfclub.com

For all our latest news follows us

@WorthingtonGolfClub @worthingtonclub @worthingtonclub

Hours:Tuesday-Saturday 11am-5pm (Lunch)

6pm-9pm (Dinner)

Sunday 11am-3pm (Brunch)3pm-8pm (Dinner)

Upcoming Tournaments and Events:Friday - Sunday, June 29th-July 1st

Town of Worthington 250th Celebration and 4 Person ScrambleSaturday, June 30th at 6PM

Live music from the Lost 45’s. Playing Rock hits under the starsfrom the 60’s & 70’s. Come celebrate Worthington’s 250th!

Saturday and Sunday, July 7th-8thWorthington Cup

For restaurant reservations or informationcall: (413) 238-4492

June 30th at 6pm

Come Celebrate Worthington’s 250th at the Links!

Events going on all weekend:4 Person Scramble

Lawn gamesGrillingDrinks

Kids 18 and undergolf FOR FREE

Join us every Tuesday at 5pm for our FREE Junior golf clinic (18 and under)

Next clinic July 10th

To schedule a tee time or for club

information call: (413) 238-4464

Town of Worthington 250 Year Celebration

June 29th-July 4th

All our food is grass fed beef, farm to table

and local produce!

MIDDLEFIELD

MIDDLEFIELD – For anyone inter-ested in learning or using emerging tech-nology such as 3D printing and robotics, Makerspace gives innovative skills which are the key to empowering people to improve the world and their lives.

The workshop will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 7, in the Town Hall.

Emerging technology excites and

inspires; it contributes to virtually all facets of society. This workshop provides build-ing blocks for future learning by using computer-aided design which is used by architects, artists, businesses, doctors, engi-neers, inventors, manufacturers and others to create precision drawings. They teach the fundamentals of CAD using free cloud-based software which can continue to be used after the workshop.

Makerspace technology workshop on Saturday, July 7, in the Town Hall Auditorium

Middlefield Senior Center: No meal next week

The Middlefield Senior Center, located at 169 Skyline Trail, will be closed on Wednesday, July 4, for Independence Day.

MIDDLEFIELD – Blossom Center hosts twice weekly meals with fresh-cooked local food and socializing on Tuesdays and Thursdays. On Tuesday, July 3 at 5:30 p.m., dinner at will fea-ture American chop suey. On Thursday, July 5, lunch at 12:30 p.m., will be hamburgers and hotdogs. Vegetarian side dishes, home-made breads, soups,

salad bar and desserts round out the menu. Meals are by donation, as able, and take-out is allowed. Help and cleanup is by volunteers.

Sign-in either in advance or when arr iv ing a t Blossom Community Center, located at 16 Bell Road. Park in the upper rear lot at 16 Bell Road. Residents from outside of Middlefield

are also welcome.Mark your calendars for the annu-

al block party picnic and band at the Blossom Center on Sunday, July 15, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Bring lawn chairs, food and drink to listen to Lady Di & the Dukes play rock & roll and blues starting at 2 p.m. under the tent. Free, but donations to organizer,

Middlefield Community Service Group, are welcome. Uncovered space avail-able in the field for tables to be set up for vending, tag sale, political or other information.

The menu for the month is posted on the website: www.Ezmereld.org and updates are sent through Facebook site: Blossom-Center Middlefield.

Community Meals Tuesday and Thursday at Blossom Center, block party picnic July 15

MIDDLEFIELD – Brennan F. Foley, a Junior economics and elemen-tary education major who is the son of Sean and Sarah Foley was on the Dean’s List at Saint Michael’s College for the Spring 2018 semester. Foley is a graduate of Gateway Regional High School.

Foley named to Spring 2018 Dean’s List at Saint Michael’s College

•

PLAINFIELD

PLAINFIELD – On Wednesday, July 4, at 10 a.m. a volunteer group in Plainfield will host the third annual Fourth of July community reading of the Declaration of Independence and Frederick Douglass’ 1852 address, The Meaning of the Fourth of July for the Negro. The reading will be followed by a discussion, moderated

by Pleun Bouricius. All are welcome. The event will be signed by Joan Wattman, ASL-English interpreter.

Someone shows up with a stack of speeches, others drag benches into a circle. People arrive to fill the benches and every-one takes turns reading paragraphs.

Middle and high school age students

and their families are encouraged to par-ticipate — they have the option to have a paragraph assigned in advance. They can either show up early (9:30 a.m.) or send an email at least a day in advance.

This event is free and open to the pub-lic — everyone is welcome. It is funded in part by a grant from Mass Humanities,

which also includes a donation of books by and about Fredrick Douglass to the Shaw Memorial Library and a community reading of the Constitution on Oct. 18 in Plainfield.

Find the event on Facebook h t t p s : / / w w w . f a c e b o o k . c o m /events/382950325544259/.

Residents invited to read from historical documents on July 4


BECKET

BECKET – For the third year in a row (and its first at the Washington Town Park) the Hilltown Brouhaha rolls into town on Saturday, July 14. The day-long

community ga the r i ng will feature live music, v e n d o r s and a r t i -sans with o n e - o f - a -kind cre-ations, new “Treasure i n t h e T r u n k ” communi-ty tag sale, B e c k e t

Washington PTO carnival with free priz-es for children, the Becket Athenaeum’s annual book sale, great food and much more. Plus, the fun continues in the eve-ning at the Becket Firemen’s Pavilion with a family-friendly event featuring food, Wandering Star Brewery’s beer, and local country rock band Whiskey City.

This project has been supported by a grant from the Central Berkshire Fund of the Berksh i re Taconic Community Foundation and also in part by funding from the Becket and Washington Cultural Councils.

Proceeds from this year’s fair benefit the Becket Washington PTO.

Daytime Events at Washington Town Park

9AM-4PM Police Association Kids’ Bike Raffle

9AM-4PM Build Your Own Fairy House

9AM-4PM Becket Athenaeum & Becket Arts Center Silent Auctions

9AM-4PM BOC-YMCA Children’s Activities,

9AM-4PM Becket Federated Church Food Sales

9AM-4PM Tour Ambulance & Firetruck

9AM-3PM Becket Athenaeum Book Sale

9AM-3PM BWCP Raffle to benefit PTO

10AM-2PM PTO Carnival - Passport to Fun, Games, Bounce House, Bowey the Magic Clown (10AM-12PM)

10AM until gone Congregational

Church Strawberry Shortcake Sale11AM Performance by students

from the American Dance Institute in front of gazebo

11:30AM- 4PM Wandering Star Beer Sales

1 2 - 1 : 4 5 P M L u l u a n d t h e Shoemakers, bluegrass music at the gaze-bo

2-3PM Proud Poverty, folk favorites music at the gazebo

Evening Activities at the Volunteer Firemen’s Pavilion in North Becket

6-11PM Food sales by Volunteer Firemen

6-11PM Beer Garden hosted by Wandering Star Brewery

6-11PM Music and dancing, DJ music (6-8PM), Live music by Whiskey City (8-11PM)

The Hilltown Brouhaha rolls into town on Saturday, July 14, at Washington Town Park

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RUSSELL

RUSSELL – The Russell Council on Aging hosts a monthly hearing clinic the first Tuesday of the month from 9:30 a.m. to noon at the Russell Council on Aging, located at 65 Main St.

Various services include check-ing for earwax, cleaning hearing aids, replacement batteries at no cost, screen-ing for hearing loss and more.

The Russell COA invites resi-

dents from Russell and the surrounding Hilltowns to benefit from this oppor-tunity. Appointments are at half hour intervals.

Please call 413-862-6205 and leave a message as to a preferred appointment time.

Please note, if no appointments are made, the hearing clinic will be cancelled until the following month.

Monthly COA hearing clinic to be held

Sarah DaSilva, Linda Doiron (VFW Bar Manager and Auxiliary Member), Becky Cortis, and Tasha Strong donate $1,580 to the VFW. The women organized, ran and were part of the 40-participant crafter/vendor fair at the VFW Post 6645 in Russell on Sunday, June 24.

Submitted photo

LOYALTY

Director for the Hampden District Attorney’s Office.

Massachusetts State Police imme-diately pulled the child from the river, initiated CPR and called emergency med-ical services to the scene. The child was subsequently transported to Baystate Noble Hospital in Westfield where he pro-nounced deceased, Leydon reported.

The victim was identified as Jace Paduano, 6, according to the DAs office.

“During this tragic and extremely dif-ficult time, the family has asked for priva-

cy and does not wish to speak publicly,” Leydon said. “Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni offers his sympathy to Jace’s family as they deal with this trag-ic loss.”

According to an obituary post-ed on the Westfield Funeral Home and Cremation page, Jace was born in Springfield on Feb. 14, 2012 to Louis T. Paduano and Sarah I. Prinner. He was a student at Chester Elementary School.

“His twin brother, Jayden, was always by his side, climbing, swinging

and playing with his ‘partner in crime,’” according to the obit.

Upon hearing about the trage-dy, Dave Baillargeon, of Mom’s House in Huntington and owner of Swinging Bridge Auction in Huntington, said he wanted to do something to help the family.

Baillargeon said Mom’s House is ask-ing that donations be made for Jace’s fam-ily by mailing a check to Mom’s house, P.O. Box 195, Huntington, MA 01050 with “river of tears” noted on the check.

Usually the river is such a happy

place, especially this time of year, Baillargeon said, but not after what just happened.

According to the obituary, funds can also be sent to: People’s Bank, c/o Jayden Paduano, 281 E. Main St., Westfield, MA 01085 or to a GoFundME at https://www.gofundme.com/for-jace.

Friends and family are asked to gather Saturday, June 30, from noon to 4 p.m. at the VFW Post 664, located at 384 Huntington Road in Russell to celebrate the life of Jace.

FUNDS from page 1

RUSSELL – The Russell Council on Aging serves lunch at the Russell Senior Center, located at 65 Main St. each Tuesday at noon. Lunch is provided by Highland Valley Elder Services.

There is not a fee for lunch, but a $3 donation is suggested by Highland Valley.

Reservations should be made and meal choice stated, by calling and leav-ing a message at 413-862-6205 by the Sunday evening before. The menu for Tuesday, July 3, is baked fish or cheese-burger served with steamed corn, red bliss potato, hamburger roll and patriotic jello with whipped cream for dessert.

Russell COA serves lunch on Tuesdays

Gary and Amy Mazella of Russell stand behind their colorful table of inventive handmade bird feeders in Russell at the Russell VFW Fundraiser on Sunday, June 24. Emily Gunn of Becket and her delicious home baked goods in Russell at the Russell VFW Fundraiser on Sunday, June 24. Photo by Adrianne Johnson. Sierra-Rae Morgan of Worthington and Becky Benson of Chester, Independent Beauty Consultants, happily sit behind their Mary K table of beauty products in Russell at the VFW Fundraiser on Sunday, June 24. Photos by Adrianne Johnson

ALL FOR A GOOD CAUSE

Jacob’s Pillow kicked off Festival 2018 with a Season Opening Gala on Saturday, June 16. Glamorous gala. Guests enjoy the opening of the “Gotta Dance, Too!” exhibition in Blake’s Barn.

GLAMOROUS GALA

Dana Audia, front house manager of Old Inn on the Green, provides catering services for the event.

A lavish cocktail hour entertains guests outside of the Perles Family Studio.

Guests are part of the artwork during the gala.

Photos by Adrianne Johnson


BLANDFORD – The next foot clin-ic is on Thursday, July 19, at 11 a.m. Call Barbara Langmore to schedule your appointment at 413-848-2816.

The monthly movie is My Left Foot on Friday, July 20 at 1 p.m. Based on a true story starring Daniel Day-Lewis, a man with Cerebral Palsy learns to write and paint using his only controllable limb, his left foot. Admission is free and

includes popcorn and beverages. Guests can come too.

The monthly breakfast will take place on Friday, July 27, at 10 a.m. in the COA room. Waffles, sausages and melon are on the menu. A $3 donation is appreciated.

During August, the COA/CAA will be on vacation. The wish everyone a happy and safe summer.

Foot clinic scheduled for July 19, movie on for July 20, breakfast set for July 27

BLANDFORD

RIDING from page 1

changes people’s lives.” She is “in the now,” as are her two

Icelandic horses and on Friday, June 8, she said, “I get to be in the now a lot” and that’s the way it works with her par-ticipants when Stevens gives a very pow-erful learning experience using horses as teachers.

The 27-year Blandford resident has long been fond of horses.

“As a young child I knew the power of animals,” she said. “Because they’re non-verbal, the animals are grounded with a free spirit.”

As time passed for Stevens, growing up in Fairfield, Conn., “Animals were my place to go. I slept in the stalls with ponies, and I could talk to them.”

After moving to Blandford, she met Linda Smith, also a horsewoman, who invited Stevens to ride with her, which of course, she loved, “and horses became part of my life again.”

What set her on the road to Blandford Therapeutic Riding was a visit several years ago to a family function. A relative had had a disabling stroke and was using a wheelchair. The family took the relative to horse therapy and Stevens saw that once the family mem-ber was on the horse, that person, for that hour, showed grace and dignity and the trappings of her physical challenges fell away.

That was the beginning. She knew then that was what she wanted to do. She found a place nearby in Monterey where she was first introduced to the Icelandic horses. Mesmerized, she vol-unteered there, and at the same time at Little Britches in Litchfield, Conn.

There, she was encouraged to become certified and the attended the eight-week long program at High

Hopes in Old Lyme, Conn., a premier Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International center with multiple instructors, horses and par-ticipants. At High Hopes, she earned certification as a PATH Professional Therapeutic Instructor and Equine Mental Health and Learning Instructor in 2011. She is also a member of the International Federation of Icelandic Horse Association and the Northeast Icelandic Horse Club.

Stevens acquired her own Icelandic horses, Snotri (pronounced Snow-tree), a taller red horse, and Sjarmur, a smaller animal whose name in Icelandic means “charmer” two years ago.

Participants learn, know and under-stand how important it is to be in con-stant physical contact with the horse, so it clearly understands that it’s safe. Horses have the ability to respond imme-diately and give feedback to the rider’s action or behavior and they can also mir-ror the rider’s emotion.

As the horse learns to understand that the participant is willing to “lis-ten,” a relationship will develop. Stevens demonstrated this by pointing out the crinkle above a horse’s eye, or a “kind eye,” indicating calmness, followed by noticing where the ears are placed – are they standing up, forward, backward or pinned to the head. The latter indicates uncertainty and anxiousness.

The sign to watch for to see that the horse is a willing partner is a lowered head, a snort or a snuffle, and best of all, a yawn.

If the trainer offers communication skills to participants, Stevens said, “the horse will respond to the participant and their actions. This helps make a relation-ship built on trust, compassion, listening,

communication, awareness, experiencing joy, helps solving problems and brings confidence.”

Sarah Wheeler of Springfield brings her 36-year-old daughter Rachel to Blandford for two hours twice a month. “Rachel,” said Wheeler,” is petite and has intellectual disabilities and develop-mental delays associated with Williams Syndrome.”

Stevens has worked with the Wheelers for just more than a year.

“Even after the first couple of les-sons, we noticed a difference,” said Wheeler. Rachel is very verbal and social but will sometimes fixate on something and become anxious. Even though she is very verbal, she has dif-ficulty expressing her needs, “but with the horses, her anxiety lessens and there are less altercations with the people she interacts with daily,” said Wheeler.

Her daughter’s lessons carry over about a week, and “by then we’re real-ly ready to return to the beautiful spot and perfect atmosphere that exudes love, peace and calm. The horses are wonder-ful. You can see the connection.”

Sonia Kulig of Blandford, the moth-er of ten-year-old Brandon, has taken her son to Blandford Therapeutic Riding for almost a year now, and has seen bene-fits in terms of his behavior. “The focus on the horse,” she said, has influenced Brandon’s “impulsivity.” The young-ster is required to work with the horse, slower and with mindfulness of purpose. Kulig has seen his self-esteem grow throughout the year. She said she has adopted some of Stevens’ tools for her own use and will say things like “walk-ing feet.”

“I see no end to the work in sight,” she said, “It’s a wonderful program. She

also had high praise for the helpful, car-ing volunteers.

Stevens frowns upon using the word “disabilities” and prefers the term “chal-lenges”, which come in multiple forms, physical, emotional, intellectual (cogni-tive) and spiritual. Riding therapy is not recognized by insurance companies, yet, but may eventually be covered.

Snotri and Sjarmur board at Joey and Terri Stetz’s Ramona Farms on George Millard Road, which is where Blandford Therapeutic Riding has its home.

“The stable and the stalls are filled with love,” she said.

Now, at 63, “They have given me this gift,” Stevens said, calling it her pas-sion, which she lives daily.

Robin Stevens and “The Boys,” Snotri and Sjarmur, her Icelandic Horses of Blandford Therapeutic Riding, snack on carrots, Friday, June 8 at Ramona Farms.

Photo by Mary Kronholm

Council on Aging board members Pat Daviau and Margit Mikuski serve colleague Lori Bocon. During the Blandford COA breakfast, Friday, June 22. Bob Wright, John Tuttle and Tom Ackley breakfast in style at the Council on Aging monthly breakfast Friday, June 22. Suzi Ferris and Dot Chaffee chat at the Council on Aging breakfast, Friday, June 22. Photos by Mary Kronholm

HAMMING IT UP

BLANDFORD – The Fanfare Brass Ensemble will present a concert of light popular and classical music on Sunday July 14 at The White Church, located at 4 North Road at 7:30 pm. The 10-part brass ensemble includes four trumpets, French horn, four trombones and tuba.

Music performed by this pro-fessional group of musicians will include: Concerto in C Major for 2 trumpets – Vivaldi, West Side Story, Here’s That Rainy Day, Raiders March, Dreamsville, Trumpeter’s Lullaby,

Glen Miller Medley, Amazing Grace, Phantom of the Opera, Easy Winners, The Cowboys by John Williams and Stars and Stripes Forever.

Tickets are $20 with those under age 16 free.

For more information contact David Neill at [email protected] or 413-686-5027 or call 508-380-8845 for tickets.

This concert is sponsored in part by the Cultural Council of Massachusetts and the Blandford Cultural Council.

Fanfare Brass Ensemble to perform

BLANDFORD – All are invited to sell those spring cleaning items at the Great Blandford Flea Market on June 30.

Annually the last Saturday in June, the flea market will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Blandford Fairgrounds on North Street. Vendor spaces are $25

and the organizers are now signing up vendors, crafters and flea market spaces. Setup is set for that Saturday from 6 to 9 a.m. For more information, please con-tact Linda at [email protected] or call 413-848-0154 or 253-732-3769.

Sign up for space at flea market

BLANDFORD – The annu -al Council on Aging Center for Active Adults picnic is set for July 13 at noon in the COA room at the town hall.

There will be grilled burgers and kielbasa. Sides include baked beans,

coleslaw, potato salad, potato chips, buns and condiments.

Please sign up by Friday, July 6, by sending $7 to the Blandford COA/CAA to reserve a place at the table.

COA/CAA picnic planned for July 13, residents need to reserve by July 6

Thursday, June 21, was an ideal Watson Park peddling day in Blandford, and Russell Stage Road resident Alan Ostaff and his sons Lance and Thad took advantage of it.

Photo by Mary Kronholm

PERFECT PEDDLING


WILLIAMSBURG – Beyond Borders: A Celebration of Craft and Culture, takes place Aug. 26 through Sept 1. This five-day workshops bring togeth-er the traditions of African batik, Italian mosaics, Indo-Islamic book arts, Turkish metalsmithing, African pottery and the multi-cultural tradition of mask-mak-ing. Like most of the workshops at Snow Farm, there are suitable for students of

all levels of experience - including none: a perfect opportunity to try something new. Evening activities and artist talks will highlight cross-cultural collabora-tion. The final night of the program is an exhibit of student work and feast of inter-national flavors under the summer sky. Featured workshops include

Traditional Yoruba Batik, Adire & Tie-dye, taught by Gasali Adeyemo,

Santa Fe, N.M.Ravenna Style Mosaic: Techniques

& Practice, taught by Samantha Holmes, New York

Decorating Leather-Hard Clay, taught by David MacDonald, Syracuse

Indo-Is lamic Papermaking & Bookbinding, taught by Radha Pandey & Johan Solberg, Iowa City

Mask Making in Steel, taught by

Kamil Peters, HolyokeTurkish Metalsmithing, taught by

Martin Moon, Westchester, Penn.Snow Farm is a nonprofit organi-

zation located in Williamsburg whose mission is to provide studio craft and fine art instruction in an inspiring residential setting for the purpose of awakening and nourishing the life-changing power or creativity. Visit www.snowfarm.org.

New program debuts this summer at Snow Farm: The New England Craft Program

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WILLIAMSBURG

By Peter Spotts

WILLIAMSBURG – As the sum-mer progresses, residents should not be alarmed if a new sign with their house number appears near the end of their driveway.

Police Chief Denise Wickland informed the Board of Selectmen at its meeting on Thursday, June 21, that the department is looking to start a pilot program in town to number houses in more visible locations to help emergency responders find the right house. There have been occasions where an emergency

responder has had to drive up and down a street three or four times trying to find the right house.

“Personally, I experience it once a week,” Wickland said. “We’d really like to see that done so we can be where somebody needs us to be as quickly as possible. Seconds count in an emergency and that’s really our message behind the street numbering project.”

Some houses in town have long or obscure driveways and the house numbers on the door are hard to see. Wickland’s plan is to put up a new sign – consisting of a metal pole, a bright sign and a reflec-

tive house number – at the entrance of a couple streets to start and then hopefully expand the operation to cover every house in town. She has spoken with Fire Chief Jason Connell and the Police and Fire departments are on board to work on this.

Currently, homeowners can get a house number sign voluntarily by con-tacting the Police Department and requesting one. The pilot program will expand this by having a whole street or two numbered by the department. Homeowners will not be charged, but those interested can donate to the depart-ments.

The current street being target-ed for the test is High Street. Wickland explained it’s a good choice because it receives good traffic from residents head-ed to and from the transfer station, while also short enough to not have a significant financial impact.

Each sign costs $5 to $11 dollars, to cover the cost of the stakes as the plaques and numbers are supplied by the local TRIAD organization. Wickland reminded the Selectmen that it is a town and state law that the house must be visibly num-bered and by taking the issue into their own hands, everyone benefits.

Pilot program will add street numbers for houses

WILLIAMSBURG – Our Lady of the Hills Faith Formation announces a whole community program to learn about the Catholic Faith. The topic this Fall will be The Mass. At this time, we are taking registration for the grade

school students – formerly Religious Education/CCD. In order to plan for the program, registrations need to be returned by July 1. If a registration form did not arrive by email or were not in the program previously, request

a form at [email protected], by calling the rectory at 413-268-7212, or the Faith Formation Director Donna Polwrek at 413-268-4045. Stay tuned for more information about our Adult program.

Our Lady of the Hills grade school registration due July 1

WILLIAMSBURG – A Natural Concert Band will be held on Thursday, June 28, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at 16 Main Street on the lawn near the Helen E. James building. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. The event is free and open to the public.

Natural Concert Band to perform tonight on the lawn near James building

PLEASE REMEMBER TO RECYCLE THIS NEWSPAPER

WESTHAMPTON

WESTHAMPTON – For some amusement throughout cold winter nights, why not try to win this year’s summer raffle? Tob Hill resident, Colleen Basile, recently completed a beautiful quilt and has generously donat-ed it to the Friends of the Library as a summer raffle item.

Measuring 82” x 61”, the fabric of bright summer colors features images of cats and kittens with their best summer reading material with clever cat-theme

titles, like Catch 22 (Mice) or Of Mice and Men, Claws or The Thorn Birds and a Tale of Two Kitties.

The quilt is currently on display at the library and will also be on view at the Field of Dreams Summer concerts on July 13, August 3 and August 17. Tickets can be purchased at the library, from Friends Board members or at the con-certs, with the winning ticket being drawn at the last concert on August 17. The cost is $2.50 each or 5 tickets for $10.

Quilt Raffle to benefit Friends of Library

W E S T H A M P T O N – T h e Westhampton Public Library presents the following programs for the coming week:

Monday, July 2: 6:30 p.m. knitting; 7 p.m. Community Sing

Tuesday, July 3: 1:30 p.m. ScrabbleSaturday, July 7: STEM Saturday 10

a.m. Note: Summer reading is in full

swing. There is still time to sign up.

Library offers knitting, community sing, summer reading program

GOSHEN

GOSHEN – The COA Board voted to take a break in July from its usual luncheon and activities. The board wishes everyone a lovely, healthy month enjoying family and friends. The board will be meeting again on Aug. 14 for the annual appreciation luncheon. The 90 and better members are invited plus new neighbors who have moved into the elderly housing are invited as well.

The Easy Ride van will also be in the 250th celebration parade for Worthington on June 30 and it will be in the 4th of July parade in Chesterfield. If anyone is interested in being on the van in the parade and has the acceptance letter from FRTA to ride, seating is limited, so please RSVP soon.

The van has rate change News:• One-way trips that originate and

end within the same town are $1.25. • One-way trips to adjacent towns

that are within the service area are

$1.75.• One-way trips beyond an adjacent

town that are within the service area are $2.25.

• PCA/escorts are $0.75 all one-way trips.

• Trips to Senior Centers are half fare.

Fares listed are for one way. Call or email with any questions: 413-296-4232 or [email protected].

On Tuesday, July 24 at 9 a.m.: Foot Care Clinic. the cost is $30 at the Town Hall and $40 for an in-home visit. Call Liz Loven to make an appointment: 413-268-7122.

Tuesday, July 31st at 1 p.m.:COA Board Meeting in the back

room of the town offices. All are wel-come. Stop by and give thoughts on program plans. Volunteers are needed. Anyone who has talent in craft ideas or have medical or nutritional education that could be used at a program, please let the board know.

Goshen COA announces July News


BUSINESS DIRECTORY

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Home Improvement • Additions • Restorations • Remodeling

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SANDISFIELD

SANDISFIELD – Musician Bobby Sweet will perform at the Sandisfield Arts Center on Saturday June 30, at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 and available at www.sandisfieldartscenter.org.

Lauded as “the Berkshire’s best and most popular singer-songwriter” by Chronogram, Sweet’s talents have reached far beyond local borders. His New Folk/Americana style has drawn comparisons to John Prine, Jackson Browne, Guy Clark, and a countrified Bruce Springsteen. An engaging story-teller and dynamic performer, he is a

sixth-generation musician who began his performing career in his father’s band at age 7. Sweet has shared the bill with many country and folk artists, including Vince Gill, Bill Staines, Bill Morrissey, Martin Sexton, Arlo Guthrie, Pete Seeger, and Jonathan Edwards.

“I love how music steps right over boundaries with grace and dignity, be it political, cultural, or any of the other kinds of walls people put up for what-ever reasons. When it comes to a song, we are all on equal ground… and that’s a nice place to meet,” he says.

Rita Kasky, Sandisfield Arts Center board member and past president says, “We cannot think of a better time to come together to enjoy the beauty and power of Bobby’s music. His melodic voice, soulful style and compelling story-telling always lifts the audience up.”

Bobby was selected as a finalist in the prestigious Kerrville (Texas) New Folk Songwriting Contest and has earned honorable mentions from other such organizations. He unfailingly engages audiences with his warm stage presence and a dynamic performance style.

Tickets are $15. Advance reserva-tions are recommended at www.sandis-fieldartscenter.org to ensure a seat. His latest album, All These Changes will be available for purchase at the event.

The historic Sandisfield Arts Center is home to a vibrant selection of performances, exhibits and work-shops. Located at 5 Hammertown Road, the restored building is on the National Register of Historic Places. For tickets and information, visit sandisfieldartscenter.org or call 413-258-4100.

Bobby Sweet in Concert at Sandisfield Arts Center June 30


CLUES ACROSS 1. Green and yellow citrus

fruit 5. Type of clock10. Die14. A hammer needs one15. Leopard (Hebrew)16. In the Hebrew calendar17. Away from wind18. Type of footwear19. Malaysian coastal city20. Arm bones22. A type of diligence23. Banquets24. Home of The Beatles27. Electromotive force30. Small amount31. Type of cola32. Adult female35. Astronomy unit37. Hall of Fame38. Type of gazelle39. Places40. Women from the

Mayflower41. Liquid served with food42. Predatory semiaquatic

reptile (abbr.)43. Angle (abbr.)44. Touched lightly45. Cannister46. Crony47. Tell on48. Body of water49. Sorts out52. Mammary gland of

female cattle55. Collegiate athletic

conference56. Sword60. Protein-rich liquids61. Emaciation63. Italian seaport64. Agreement65. Chinese ethnic group66. University of Miami’s

mascot67. People who buy and sell

securities68. Genus of mosquitos69. Holds up your head

CLUES DOWN 1. Two-toed sloth

2. Impudent behavior 3. The right to take another’s

property 4. Refers to end of small

intestine 5. Mandela’s party 6. Inserted strips of fat

before cooking 7. Secret love affair 8. Responds to stimulation 9. Wife10. Desert mammal11. A nearly horizontal

passage from the surface into a mine

12. Uncommon13. __ Kristofferson, actor21. Where buildings are built23. Chain attached to a watch25. Holiday (informal)26. Clod27. Synchronizes solar and

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fanatically51. Type of vaccine52. Approves food53. Hoofed grazing animal54. Drearily dull57. Youngster58. __ Clapton, musician59. Take a chance61. Yearly tonnage (abbr.)62. Female sibling

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ARIES Mar 21/Apr 20Opportunity is knocking, Aries. You must tune in and listen to it this week. Stay passionate in your endeavors, but exercise a little cautioun as well.

TAURUSApr 21/May 21Taurus, honesty may be the best policy, but you may have to temper how much information you reveal at one time. Be a little stingy around sen-sitive people.

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LEO Jul 23/Aug 23Planning and project management seemingly takes over your life, Leo. Just when you think there is no time for fun, an exciting opportunity falls in your lap.

VIRGO Aug 24/Sept 22Virgo, your creative muse has come calling and you can’t resist her siren’s song. Dabble in any artistic or craftsy project you can get your hands on in the next few days.

LIBRA Sept 23/Oct 23People often see you as even-keeled. But tem-pers may flare this week if you don’t get your way. Others should watch when you’re fired up.

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TOWN OF BLANDFORDPLANNING BOARD

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICEThe Blandford Planning

Board wil l be holding a Public Hearing on July 11, 2018 at 7:15 PM in the Town Hall (Selectmen’s Office), 1 Russe l l S tage Road Blandford, MA to consider the application of Sunpin Solar Development, LLC, 1901 Main Street, Suite 150, Irvine, CA 92614 for a Site Plan Approval as required under the following sections of the Blandford Zoning Bylaw:

• Section VIII – Large Scale Ground Mounted Solar Photovoltaic Installations

• Section IX – Site Plan Review

The applicant proposes to install a 4.23 MW large scale ground mounted solar pho-tovoltaic (PV) facility on an approximately 21.4 acre por-tion (clearing 40.19 acres) of the approximately 186 acre parcel of land located off of the south side of Otis Stage Rd. (Assessor’s Map Lot 402-0-43) owned by Philip Brent of Encino CA which is located within the Agricultural (AG) Zoning District.

The complete application and plans are available for public inspection in the Town Hall lobby during regular business hours (8:00a.m.-7:00p.m.), at the Porter Memorial Library, 87 Main St, Blandford, MA and on the town’s website at http://town-ofblandford.com/.

Anyone wishing informa-tion and/or to be heard on this matter should appear at the time and place designated.

Richard Barnard, ChairBlandford Planning Board

6/21, 6/28/18

Cummington ZBA HearingPublic Notice

In accordance with the provisions of M.G.L. Ch. 40A, § 11, the Cummington Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing at the Community House, 33 Main Street, on Thursday, July 19, 2018, starting at 7:00 PM, to consider the application of the Town of Cummington to “Convert existing ele-mentary school to mixed use building”. The school being the Berkshire Trail Elementary School located at 2 Main Street, Assessor’s map 23D, lot 24; as provided by sections 4-30, and 5-20 of the zoning bylaw.

A copy of this appl i-cation is available on the Selectboard’s table in the Community House.

Any person interested or wishing to be heard on these matters should appear at the above-designated time and place.

Michael Holden Clerk6/28, 7/05/18

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

RUSSELL PLANNING BOARD

Notice is hereby given in accordance with M.G.L. c. 40A and Section 6.5 of the Town of Russell Zoning By-Law that the Russell Planning Board will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, July 10, 2018 during a pub-lic meeting that begins at 6

P.M. at Russell Town Hall, 65 Main Street, Russell MA. The public hearing relates to GE Solar’s application for site plan approval for a solar ground mount installation on the existing landfill located at 52 Station Road. The specif-ic property location is Town of Russell Parcel 17-6-1. The application and plans for this project are on file at Russell Town Hall and are available for public review. 6/21, 6/28/18

MORTGAGEE’S SALE OF REAL ESTATE

189 Route 20 Main Street, Chester, MA 01011

By virtue and in exe-cution of the Power of Sale contained in a certain mort-gage given by Rebecca A. Koivisto fka Rebecca A. Farnham to Cit i f inancial Services Inc. dated June 8, 2005, and recorded with the Hampden County Registry of Deeds in Book 15087, Page 443, and assigned through assignments recorded with said Registry of Deeds at Book 19868, Page 28, Book 22155, Page 592, Book 21142, Page 183, Book 21362, Page 125, Book 21362, Page 126, Book 22155, Page 596, Book 22155, Page 598, and Book 22155, Page 599, of which mortgage the undersigned is the present holder, for breach of the conditions of said mort-gage and for the purpose of foreclosing the same will be sold at Public Auction on July 19, 2018 at 11:00AM, at or upon the mortgaged premises more particularly described below, being all and singu-lar the premises described in said mortgage, to wit:

The land in Chester, in the county of Hampden and Commonwea l th o f Massachuse t ts , bound -ed and described as fol-lows: Beginn ing a t the Northwesterly corner of the parcel herein described, which point is the northeast-erly corner of “Land reserved for Loomis” as set out in mort-gage by Vanera A Cartmill and Lorinda L. Loomis to the Chester co-operative bank, dated December 2, 1941 and recorded with Hampden County Registry of Deeds in Book 1729, Page 165, and running southwesterly along said “Land reserved for Loomis” Eighty-five (85) feet, more or less, to the top of the bank of Walker Brook; thence southeasterly along said Brook Thirty-five (35) feet to the land of Thomas Rose; thence northeasterly along the land of said Rose Eighty-five (85) feet, more or less, to an iron pin; and thence north-westerly in a straight line to the point of beginning. For title see Deed recorded in Book 5803, Page 21.

The description of the premises contained in said mortgage shall control in the event of an error in this notice.

The Mortgagee reserves the right to postpone the sale to a later date by pub-lic announcement at the time and date appointed for the sale and to further postpone at any adjourned sale date by public announcement at the

time and date appointed for the adjourned sale date.

The premises will be sold subject to and with the benefit of all rights, restrictions, ease-ments, improvements, orders of condition, outstanding tax titles, municipal or other pub-lic taxes, assessments, bet-terments, liens or claims in the nature of liens and exist-ing encumbrances of record created prior to the mortgage, or entitled to precedence over the mortgage, if any, insofar as the same are still in force and applicable to the prem-ises. The premises will be sold without representation or warranty as to its condi-tion or fitness for habitation, or whether it conforms to any applicable state or local build-ing, zoning, health, or san-itary codes, or compliance with any federal, state, or local environmental statutes, regulations, ordinances, or by-laws.

If the premises is a condo-minium unit, then the premis-es will also be sold subject to Massachusetts General Laws chapter 183A, as amended, the applicable Master Deed and any and all amounts as may be due, following such sale, to the applicable condo-minium trust.

If the successful bidder at the foreclosure sale defaults in purchasing the property according to the terms of this notice of sale or the terms of the Memorandum of Sale executed at the time of the foreclosure, the Mortgagee reserves the right to, among other things, resell the prop-erty under the power of sale contained in such mortgage or sell the property by fore-closure deed to the second highest bidder (or other suc-cessive bidders, in the order of their bid) provided that such other bidder deposits with Mortgagee’s attorneys, Michienzie & Sawin LLC, the amount of the required deposit as set forth below within ten (10) business days after written notice of default of the previous highest bidder and title shall be conveyed to such other bidder within thirty (30) days of the default, which time periods may be reasonably extended by the Mortgagee in its sole discre-tion.

TERMS OF SALE: Ten Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($10,000.00) is to be paid in certified check and/or bank cashier’s check (dated no more than ninety days before the date of sale) to be paid by the Purchaser at the time and place of sale. The balance of the purchase price is to be paid by the Purchaser by certified check and/or bank cashier’s check (dated no more than ninety days before the date of clos-ing) within thirty (30) days thereafter, which time period may be reasonably extend-ed by the Mortgagee in its sole discretion, at the offices of Harry Castleman, Esquire, Michienzie & Sawin LLC, 745 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116. Other terms to be announced at the sale.

North Fund III LLCpresent holder of said mort-

gageby its attorney, Harry

Castleman, EsquireMICHIENZIE & SAWIN LLC

745 Boylston StreetBoston, MA 02116

6/28, 7/05, 7/12/18

Commonwealth of Massachusetts

The Trial Court Hampden Probate and Family

Coort50 State Street

Springfield, MA 01103(413)748-7758

Docket No. HD18P1145EAEstate of:

Virginia C MurphyDate of Death: 07/21/2017

CITATION ON PETITION FOR FORMAL

ADJUDICATIONTo all interested persons:A Petition for S/A - Formal

P r o b a t e o f W i l l w i t h Appointment of Personal Representative has been filed by William J Murphy of Russell MA requesting that the Court enter a formal Decree and Order and for such other relief as requested in the Petition.

The Petitioner requests that: William J Murphy of Russell MA be ap point ed as Person al Rep resenta tive(s) of said estate to serve Without Surety on the bond in an unsuper vised administration.

IMPORTANT NOTICEYou have the right to obtain a

copy of the Petition from the Petit ioner or at the Court. You have a right to object to this pro-ceeding. To do so, you or your attorney must file a written appearance and objection at this Court before: 10:00 a.m. on the return day of 07/10/2018.

This is NOT a hearing date, but a deadline by which you must file a written appearance and objection if you object to this proceeding. If you fail to file a timely written appearance and objection followed by an affida-vit of objections within thirty (30) days of the return day, action may be taken without fur-ther notice to you.

UNSUPERVISEDADMINISTRATION UNDER

THE MASSACHUSETTSUNIFORM PROBATE

CODE (MUPC)A Personal Represent ative

appointed under the MUPC in an unsupervised administration is not re quired to file an invento-ry or annual accounts with the Court. Persons interested in the estate are entitled to notice regarding the administration directly from the Personal Representative and may petition the Court in any matter relating to the estate, including the distri-bution of assets and expenses of administration.

WITNESS, Hon. Barbara M Hyland, First Justice of this Court.Date: June 12, 2018

Suzanne T SeguinRegister of Probate

6/28/18

Commonwealth of MassachusettsThe Trial Court

Probate and Family CourtHampshire Division

33 King StreetNorthampton, MA 01060

(413)586-8500Docket No. HS18P0310EA

Estate of:DONATO JAMES PELULLO

Date of Death: December 22, 2017

INFORMAL PROBATEPUBLICATION NOTICETo all persons interested

in the above captioned est-ate, by Petition of Petit i oner Anthony E. Pelul lo o f Huntington MA

Anthony E. Pelullo of Huntington MA has been informally appointed as the Personal Representative of the estate to serve without surety on the bond.

The estate is being admin-istered under informal proce-d u r e b y t h e P e r s o n a l Representative under the Massachuset ts Un i fo rm Probate Code without super-vision by the Court. Inventory and accounts are not required to be filed with the Court, but interested parties are entitled to notice regarding the admin-istration from the Personal Representative and can peti-tion the Court in any matter relating to the estate, includ-ing distribution of assets and expenses of administration. Interested parties are entitled

to petition the Court to insti-tute formal proceedings and to obtain orders terminating or restricting the powers of Personal Representatives appointed under informal pro-cedure. A copy of the Petition and Will, i f any, can be obtained from the Petitioner.6/28/18

TOWN OF WILLIAMSBURGOffice of the

Zoning Board of AppealsPlanning BoardLEGAL NOTICE

A Public Hearing wil l be held at 6:00 PM on Monday, July 9, 2018 in the Williamsburg Town Offices, 141 Main St., Haydenville, MA to consider the follow-ing: The application of Daniel Bonham & JKC Properties, LLC of Williamsburg, MA for a Special Permit, as required by Section 12.0 paragraph e of the Zoning Bylaw of the Town of Williamsburg, to per-mit a change of use by con-verting existing structure to four (4) residential units on a non-conforming lot at 14 Kingsley Ave., Williamsburg identified as Assessors Map K, Lot 80.0.

Charles Dudek, ChairmanZoning Board of Appeals

6/21, 6/28/18

Please check the accuracy of

your legal notice prior to submis-sion (i.e., date, time, spelling).

Also, be sure the requested

publication date coincides with

the purpose of the notice, or as the law demands.

Thank you.

Public NoticesWE’VE EXPANDED OUR WEB SITE

ARE NOW ONLINE

visit www.publicnotices.turley.com

Email all notices [email protected]

Access archives anddigital tear sheets by newspaper title.

Find a quick link to the state of Massachusetts’ public notice web site to search all notices in Massachusetts newspapers.1 2 3

Public notice deadlines are Mondays at noon, Fridays noon for Monday holidays.

PUBLIC NOTICES

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27 AT NOONSentinel, Chicopee Register, The Register,

and The Wilbraham-Hampden Times

THURSDAY, JUNE 28 AT NOONAgawam Advertiser News, Barre Gazette,

Quaboag Current, Country Journal, The Journal Register, Ware River News

MONDAY, JULY 2 AT NOONThe Sun, Southwick News, Town Reminder

Public NoticesEARLY DEADLINEFOR ALL LEGAL NOTICES TO RUN THE WEEK OF JULY 4


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WANTED ANTIQUES & COL-LECTIBLES Furniture, Advertising signs, Toys, Dolls, Trains, Crocks & Jugs, Musical Instruments, Ster-ling Silver & Gold, Coins, Jewelry, Books, Primitives, Vintage Clothing, Military items, Old Lamps. Any-thing old. Contents of attics, barns and homes. One item or complete estate. Call (413)267-3786 or (413)539-1472 Ask for Frank. WE PAY FAIR PRICES!!!

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WE RENOVATE, SELL & PUR-CHASE (any condition) horse drawn vehicles such as sleighs, carriages, surreys, wagons, dr’s buggies, drive-able or lawn ornaments. Some fur-niture and other restoration services available. Reasonable prices. Quality workmanship. Call (413)213-0373 for estimate and information.

DEMERS & SONSBELCHERTOWN, MA

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FOR SALE FOR SALE SERVICES SERVICES

MAIL TO: Classifieds, 24 Water St., Palmer, MA 01069or call toll free: 800-824-6548

Name: ____________________________________________________ Phone: ______________________

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Buy the Hilltowns ZONE for $9.50 for 20 words plus 50¢ for each additional word. Add $10 for a second Zone or add $15 to run in ALL THREE ZONES.

First ZONE base price ___________

Add a second ZONE ___________

Add a third ZONE ___________

Subtotal ___________

x Number of Weeks ___________

TOTAL Enclosed ___________

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14 WEEKLY NEWSPAPERS ❙ SERVING 50 LO CAL C OMMUNITIES

FARM WORKERS AND CROP LABORERS Putney, Vermont area. 11 temporary workers needed at Green Mountain Orchards, Inc. to plant, cul-tivate, pack, and harvest diversified fruits and vegetables. Contract runs approx. 07/15/18 to 10/31/18. Guar-anteed wage is the highest of $12.83/hour or the applicable piece rate de-pending on crop activity. Production standards and 1 month experience required. Work is guaranteed for 3/4 of contract period. Tools are provided without cost. Housing provided at no cost to workers who reside outside of normal commuting distance. Trans-portation cost reimbursed after 50% of contract period. Contact North Cen-tral Career Center, 100 Erdman Way, Leominster, MA 01453 at 978-534-1481 for referral. Job order 541429.

FULL-TIME BEEF CATTLE Farm Manager in Southern Vermont. Total responsibilities include daily care of animals, machinery & equipment op-eration and maintenance, haying and general care of all properties. Experi-ence necessary. Contact Don 413-478-0178.

FARM WORKERS AND CROP LABORERS Windsor, Vermont area. 1 temporary position at MacLennan Farm for planting and transplanting, field work, hand weeding, hoeing, har-vesting, etc. for diversified crops. Con-tract runs approx. 07/15/18 to 10/31/18. Requires heavy lifting, standing, bend-ing and kneeling for long periods of time. Wage is $12.83./hour. Work is guaranteed for 3/4 of contract period. Tools are provided without cost. Hous-ing provided at no cost to workers who reside outside normal commuting dis-tance. Transportation cost reimbursed after 50% of contract period. Contact North Central Career Center, 100 Erd-man Way, Leominster, MA 01453 at 978-534-1481 for referral. Job order 540345.

FOSTER CARE.You can help change

someone’s life. Provide a safe home for children

and teens who have been abused or neglected. Now offering a $1,000

Sign-On BonusCall Devereux Therapeutic

Foster Care 413-734-2493

POULTRY CUTTERS AND TRIM-MERS Orwell, Vermont area. 2 work-ers needed at Stonewood Farm, Inc. to slaughter, trim and pack poultry, as well as general barn tasks. Contract runs approx. 07/15/18 to 12/31/18. Requires heavy lifting, standing, bending and kneeling for long periods of time. Wage is $12.83/hour. Work is guaranteed for 3/4 of contract period. Tools are provid-ed without cost. Housing provided at no cost to workers who reside outside normal commuting distance. Transpor-tation cost reimbursed after 50% of contract period. Contact North Cen-tral Career Center, 100 Erdman Way, Leominster, MA 01453 at 978-534-1481 for referral. Job order 540358.

THE TOWN OF TOLLAND seeks a qualified applicant for the position of Clerk to the office of the Town. Must have proficient clerical skills, be able to work independently and have experi-ence with MS office and Excel. Three years of office experience. Work load can vary, position is based on 4 hrs/wk for 52 wks/yr at $12/hr. Send cover letter and resume to Town of Tolland, Town Clerk, 241 W Granville Rd, Tolland, MA by July 9, 2018.

FOR RENT

ALL REAL ESTATE advertised herein is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin, or intention to make any such preference, limitation, or discrimination.” We will not know-ingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis.

LEASE/PURCHASE

WANTED- COMMERCIAL PROP-ERTY FOR non-profit facility, cabins or individual rooms, kitchen, dining hall, multipurpose building, barn, land for horses 413-285-6680.

VACATION RENTALS

EAST OTIS, 300’ from reservoir on private road and a 40’ dock. Year round vacation home, 2 BR, sleeps 7. Avail-able July, August, September by the week or month. $1200- $1500/ wk..Call Paul 860-621-6332 or Debby 860-302-0920.

WARM WEATHER IS Year Round In Aruba. The water is safe, and the dining is fantastic. Walk out to the beach. 3-Bedroom weeks available. Sleeps 8. Email: [email protected] for more information.

HELP WANTED REAL ESTATEHELP WANTED REAL ESTATE

All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status (number of children and or pregnancy), national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, or any intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate that is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertising in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To complain about discrimination call The Department of Housing and Urban Development “ HUD” toll-free at 1-800-669-9777. For the N.E. area, call HUD at 617-565-5308. The toll free number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275.

FOR RENT

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Middlefield officially became a Purple Heart Community on Saturday, June 23, with a ceremony held at Bell Cemetery and reception at Town Hall. Bikers from the American Legion Riders, MA Chapter 224 of Easthampton and Post 338 of Southwick, escort the Purple Heart Run van from West Springfield to Middlefield. Photos by Christine Charnosky

Brian Willette, State Commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, is master of ceremony for the service at Bell Cemetery, with representatives of the 2nd Continental Light Dragoons, which was Churchill’s regime, standing behind him.

Hilltown Veteran Agent Tom Geryk drinks wine with Middlefield Selectman, U.S. Army Veteran Al Sirard during the libation ceremony led by the 2nd Continental Light Dragoons.

Capt. Sal Tarantino of the 2nd Continental Light Dragoons pours wine in front of Churchill’s grave during the libation ceremony.

Damon Bazzeghin of Chester, is the only local Purple Heart recipient at the event.

Sgt. Joshua Bouchard of Granby and of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, who was injured while serving in the U.S. Marine Corp. in Afghanistan in 2009, enjoys a moment during the ceremony in Bell Cemetery.

Sen. Adam Hinds (D-Pittsfield) greets Grace Oppenheimer, 102, – great, great, great granddaughter of Churchill – with her daughter, Susan Oppenheimer.

The grave of Sgt. Elijah Churchill, first recipient of the Badge of Military Merit (the Purple Heart) in 1783 for serving in the Revolutionary War, and his wife, Eleanor’s, grave (left), at Bell Cemetery. American Legion Post 124 of Westfield fires a 21-gun salute in honor of Churchill at Bell Cemetery.

TOWN OF THE BRAVE

“rather than love, than money, than fame, give me...

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