“love doesn’t make the world go ’round. love is what makes...

“Love doesn’t make the world go ’round. Love is what makes the ride worthwhile.” — Franklin P. Jones

By Mary Kronholm

Porter Memorial Library Director Nicole Daviau pre-sented a history of chocolate last weekend, along with a tan-talizing taste testing of the real thing.

Taste offered of chocolate’s history, craft

By Peter Spotts

Becket selectmen are continuing with the voters’ directive to close the Route 20 Spring, while spring pro-ponents continue to look for a financially acceptable alterna-tive to save the spring.

About half a dozen people voiced ideas to the board for ways to try and save the spring, or at least close it in a way that possibly could keep reopen-ing in the future on the table, during the Select Board’s meet-ing on Wednesday, Jan. 6.

SPRING, page 5

CHOCOLATE, page 6

Nonprofit still seeking ways to save spring

WORTHINGTON BECKET

BLANDFORD

By Peter Spotts

A proposal to renovate 20 Main St. for low-income affordable housing received mixed reception from the Board of Selectmen as the proposal included a request for tax relief.

Paul Lischetti, represent-ing the Hilltown Community Development Corporation, explained that the three-sto-ry property is in a flood zone and would require an estimat-ed $9,000 yearly for flood insurance.

Tax incentive debated for Main St. apts.

By Peter Spotts

Ha n d s - o n l e a r n i n g was a large part of t h e We s t h a m p t o n

Elementary curriculum as the gym became a temporary home for a 72-foot-long fin whale — a plastic one.

The life-size inflatable cetacean wowed the students with its size and provided lots of exciting educational oppor-tunities when they climbed inside and were able to see just how long the whale is.

“It was amazing. We could all fit inside the tail!” said sixth grader Dana Warren. “We

usually don’t encounter things bigger than us. A bear, maybe.”

“It’s really neat. It’s very good for them to learn about the whale in a more interac-tive way,” said paraprofession-al Beth Millay. “Some kids do better learning this way. Their eyes just light up, the excite-ment in their faces and when they go inside, they want to learn and ask so any questions. It’s so interactive.”

Fred Morrison, a town res-ident, crafted the whale out of copious amount of heavy-duty plastic that is typically used by

Class goes inside for whale of a lesson

TAX, page 7

By Peter Spotts

About 250 of the 600 households in town have responded to the Hilltown Community Development Corporation survey about a new senior center in Worthington.

T h e s u r vey i s p a r t of a $75,000 Community Development Block Grant-funded feasibility study looking

at potential locations for a new home for the Council on Aging and what residents would want that place to be.

“We’re asking people, What are your ideas? What would you like to see? Where would you like it to be?” explained CDC Director Dave Christopolis. “That’ll inform us as what peo-ple want and we’ll try to meet their needs.”

Christopolis said they were hoping to get 10 to 15 percent of households to respond and that the overwhelming response so far will give CDC a great foun-dation of feedback to build on. He hopes to get to 300 by the time the survey window closes on Feb. 22.

Every response is import-ant. With the potential for a new building to cost upwards of $1

million, the more information CDC has about the community and its needs is more ammuni-tion for potential grants and other revenue sources.

“We could stop now, and I feel like we’d have a good sam-ple of the community,” he said. “When we go to funders, we need to show we really under-

SURVEY, page 7

WHALE, page 9

Paraprofessional Beth Millay points out the fin whale’s double blowhole to Hunter Foudrier and Austin Sojkowski at Westhampton Elementary School last week. Photo by Peter Spotts

Strong response to senior center survey

CHESTER

Becket ............................5Blandford ........................6Business Directory ........11Chester ...........................7Classifieds ..............14, 15

Gateway .................10, 11Goshen ...........................3Hilltowns ........................2Huntington ......................3Middlefield ......................6

Montgomery ...................3Obituaries .....................13Opinion .......................4, 5Otis .................................3Public Notices ...............13

Puzzle Page ..................12Russell............................3Westhampton .................9Williamsburg ...................8Worthington ....................7

WESTHAMPTON

A TURLEY PUBLICATION ❙ www.turley.com February 14, 2019 ❙ Vol. 40, No. 42 ❙ 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

Happyhearts

Julia Caputo, 10, of Williamsburg, bites into a frosting- and sprinkle-covered cookie at the Meekins Library’s celebration of “Heart Month” last Saturday. More photos on page 16.

Photos by Adrianne Johnson

Oscar Schiff, 11, Julia Caputo, 10, and Hadley Schiff, 9, all from Williamsburg, learn how to make a heart-healthy stress ball with flour and a balloon during the Feb. 9 event.

♥ ♥ ♥♥

Country Journal • Thursday, February 14, 2019

HILLTOWNS

GOSHEN — Hilltown Land Trust is partnering with All Out Adventures to offer two days of guided snowshoeing for seniors at the DAR State Forest in Goshen. On Wednesdays, Feb. 20 and March 6, participants will meet at the warming hut at the DAR, off Cape Road (Route 112) in Goshen. Groups will leave at 10 a.m. and noon from the main parking lot. The treks are between one to three miles, with routes chosen based

on the interest and ability of the group. Snowshoes and poles will be provided for those who do not have their own. Beginners are encouraged to participate.

For complete information and to register, visit alloutadventures.org and review the “Senior Guided Group Snowshoeing Excursions.” There is no fee to participate in this program, but donations are gratefully accepted to off-set the cost.

Weekday snowshoeing for seniors at DAR Forest

CHESTER — All are invited to the join the Western Mass. Hilltown Hikers for a hike on Saturday, Feb. 23, at 10 a.m. Hikers will travel the Chester-Blandford State Forest area starting at Griffin Brook Road.

Hikers should meet at the trailhead on Round Hill Road in the state forest park-ing lot. Parking is available at the trailhead or nearby along Park Knox Road. Round

Hill Road can be accessed from Blandford Road in Chester, near the Blandford town line.

Although the trail is easily traveled and well-marked, hikers should be pre-pared for mud, snow and ice, and bring their own drinks and snacks. It is approx-imately a two-hour hike to the end of the trail and back.

Maps and bottled will be provided.

There are no facilities at the trail. Dogs are welcome. No registration is required. The hike is free. Donations are welcome.

This event is co-sponsored by SHAEC and the JLBA. For more informa-tion, email [email protected], call or text 413-302-0312 or visit Facebook, Instagram, Flickr and Twitter. Events, maps and photos are available at www.westernmasshilltownhikers.com.

Hilltown Hikers to explore Griffin Brook Trail

W O R T H I N G T O N — T h e Hilltown Community Health Centers wil l offer “Parents: The Posit ive Disc ip l ine Way,” Thursday eve-nings for seven sessions beginning Thursday, Feb. 28.

It will be held Thursdays, 5-7

p.m., at the R.H. Conwell School, 147 Huntington Road, Worthington. The first session was originally scheduled for Feb. 7, but was postponed.

Research has demonstrated the importance of social and emotion-al learning, even above academics.

“Positive Discipline” parenting tools teach valuable social and life skills without using any form of punish-ment, rewards, praise, permissiveness and even logical consequences — at least hardly ever.

The workshop is limited to 15

participants; spaces were still avail-able as of last week. The $5 fee includes materials.

To register, contact Kim Savery, director of programs and family sup-port, at 413-685-3500 or [email protected].

‘Positive Discipline’ series offers parents valuable skills

CORRECTIONParticipants in the all-day Bread and

Basket Workshop at the Worthington Library, to be held Feb. 23, will receive baking instruction at the event but will not receive a free instruction book to take home. The announcement of the program in last week’s Country Journal (“Baking, Crafting Workshop to Benefit Library Programs,” Feb. 7, page 15) included the incorrect information based on materials provided by the organizers at that time.

Hilltown Land Trust will offer guided snowshoeing treks Feb. 20 and March 6 at DAR State Forest. Submitted photo

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All are invited to celebrate the entries from the Hilltown Land Trust Fall Photo Contest at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 3. The four winning photographs will be framed with a generous dona-tion from the R. Michelson Galleries and all the photos will be displayed for viewing.

Guests are asked to bring a pie or other dessert to add to the beverages and treats provided by the Hilltown Land Trust. Guests will be able to meet par-ticipants, talk about trees and photogra-

phy techniques, and enjoy the sweets. The event will be held at Bullitt

Reservation in Ashfield, which is a wheelchair accessible build-ing. Reservations are requested at [email protected] or 413-628-4485, ext. 4.

Access to Bullitt Road from North Poland Road is closed during the winter. The Bullitt Reservation can be reached from the other end of Bullitt Road, at Conway Road (Route 116) in South Ashfield.

Photos, pie at contest exhibition next month

Attendees enjoy pie and photography at the 2017 Hilltown Land Trust Photo Contest exhibition. Submitted photo

Country Journal • Thursday, February 14, 2019 page 3

HUNTINGTON — A Terrarium and Birdseed Craft Making pro-gram will be held Thursday, Feb. 21, at Kelly’s Home and Garden, 81 Springfield Road, Westfield. The event is sponsored by the Huntington Recreation Committee.

Participants, who are welcome to come anytime between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., will be able to create their own

terrarium, including one small contain-er, one plant and one figurine, as well as a birdseed craft. Supplies will be provided.

Cost is $20 per person. There is a $7 discount for Huntington residents. To register, leave a name, address and contact number in a message at 413-579-7842 or [email protected].

Recreation Committeeto sponsor craft program

HUNTINGTON

HUNTINGTON — The Springfield Symphony Orchestra will visit the Huntington Public Library during school vacation week on Thursday, Feb. 21, at 2:30 p.m. After an introduction to the

instruments, participants will have an opportunity to bow a violin, blow a horn or tap out a rhythm on a drum. To regis-ter, call the library at 413-512-5206. The library is at 7 E. Main St., Huntington.

Orchestra to visit library during February vacation

HUNTINGTON — Nominations are being taken now for the May 18 town election, Town Clerk Kathy Thomas said last week.

Nomination papers are available in the clerk’s office in the Town Hall at 24 Russell Road, Huntington. The last day to obtain papers will be March 28. To qualify for the ballot, a candidate must return papers with the signatures of at least 20 registered Huntington voters by 5 p.m. Saturday, March 30. The clerk recommends that candidates make sure signatures and addresses are legible, and obtain at least 25 signatures to ensure that the minimum is met.

Seats to be elected include three-year terms for selectman, Board of

Assessors, Board of Health, Gateway Regional School Committee, Water-Sewer Commission, Alphonso Pettis Fund trustee and constable. Additionally, three-, two- and one-year terms are avail-able as Whiting Street trustees; three- and one-year terms as library trustees; and one-year terms as tree warden and moderator.

The latest day for voters to register to vote in time to participate in the town election is Saturday, April 27. The clerk’s office will be open 2-4 p.m. and 7-8 p.m. that day. The annual Town Meeting will Monday, June 3.

For more information, call the clerk’s office at 413-512-5209 or email [email protected].

Papers available for town election

NORWICH HILLThe First Congregational Church,

UCC, welcomes everyone wherever they are on their journey of faith, seek-ers, believers, and wonderers alike, to join in 10 a.m. Sunday worship. The church is at 6 Searle Road, on Norwich Hill in Huntington.

This week’s message will be shared by the Rev. Don Remick, tran-sitional interim conference minister for the Massachusetts Conference of the United Church of Christ, who will also

share in a time of fellowship and con-versation over a light lunch following morning worship.

Ladies Aid is hosting World Day of Prayer with a luncheon and prayer ser-vice at Stanton Hall on Friday, March 1, at noon. The menu and worship were prepared this year by the women of Slovenia.

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

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RUSSELL

RUSSELL — Noble View on the mountain in Russell will host a “Star Party” on Saturday, March 2. All are welcome to attend this event co-spon-sored by the Springfield Naturalist Club. Participants will congregate on the large, double cottage front porch, where they will hear about the star constellations and some mythology behind their names. Telescopes will be available to view the sky if it is clear night. Information on the International Dark Skies Association, light pollution and the value of the night sky will be provided.

Those attending should bring a chair, a flashlight, and something warm to wrap up in. Hot chocolate will be provided.

Overcast conditions will limit viewing, but not storytelling, dark skies informa-tion sharing and an optional night hike. Warm outer clothing and hiking boots are recommended. Heavy rain or snow can-cels. This program is recommended for children 10 years and over.

The registration fee is $5, which must be paid to reserve a spot. For more information, visit www.nobleviewout-doorcenter.org/education.html or email [email protected].

Noble View, at 635 S. Quarter Road, Russell, is a facility of the Appalachian Mountain Club, the oldest conservation organization in the country. All are wel-come.

‘Star Party’ slated for March 2

RUSSELL SENIOR CENTERThe Russell Council on Aging serves

lunch at the Senior Center, 65 Main St., Russell, each Tuesday at noon. Lunch is provided by Highland Valley Elder Services. There is no 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 previous Sunday.

The menu for Tuesday, Feb. 19, is cheeseburger or baked haddock with bread crumb topping service with steamed broccoli, corn chowder, cherry snack loaf and fresh fruit for dessert.

OTIS

OTIS — The Otis Recreation Center will host a free family movie night at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 15.

“Small Foot,” rated PG, will be screened at Town Hall, 1 N. Main St., Otis. This animated film follows a friendly Yeti whose world is turned upside down when he encounters a

human.Children under age 8 must be

accompanied by a parent or guardian. Permission slips may be completed at the Rec Center office or on the night of the movie, arriving early. For more information, contact the Rec Center at 413-269-4541 or [email protected].

Free family movie night next Friday

GOSHEN

GOSHEN — The town election will be held May 4, with a nominating caucus March 18, according to Town Clerk Kristen Estelle.

Seats on the Board of Selectmen, Chesterfield-Goshen Regional School Committee and other town boards will be up for election in 2019. The caucus will begin at 7 p.m. Monday, March 18, in John James Memorial Hall, 42 Main St., Goshen. Any registered voter from Goshen may run or vote for the nomi-nations.

Election polls will be open 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 4. The annu-

al Town Meeting is slated for 7 p.m. Monday, May 20. Both are also in John James Memorial Hall.

The latest day for town residents to register to vote to participate in the cau-cus is Monday, Feb. 25. The latest day to register to vote for the election will be Friday, April 12, and the latest day to register to vote for the Town Meeting will be Tuesday, April 30. The clerk’s office at 40 Main St., Goshen, will be open 2-4 and 7-8 p.m. all three days.

For more information, call the clerk’s office at 413-268-8236, ext. 107, or email [email protected].

Town caucus just a month away

MONTGOMERYFree balloon twisting workshop at Grace Hall next week

MONTGOMERY — Ed the Wizard and his Alien Balloon Twisting Workshop will appear at the Grace Hall Memorial Library in Montgomery on Tuesday, Feb. 19.

Patrons will learn how to twist their own balloon aliens. No balloon twisting experienced is required.

This program is supported in part by a grant from the Montgomery Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency. This program is free and open to all.

Ed the Wizard is coming to Grace Hall Memorial Library next week.

Submitted photo

PLEASE RECYCLE THIS NEWSPAPER


Valentines aboundin our towns

Necco may not be selling their icon-ic Valentine’s Day candies this year, but as any kindergarten teacher or chil-

dren’s librarian will tell you, it’s easy enough to craft “hearts” of your own to give out today.

Their paper hearts start with lace-cut paper and cardstock. Ours start with something a bit more common — newsprint. There’s been a lot to love in recent issues of the Country Journal.

Let’s give a valentine heart to all the peo-ple who poured out support for the Judd fam-ily of Goshen, after they lost their home and almost all their possessions in a fire last month. In just one weekend, donors filled a church basement with clothes, toys and other necessi-ties of life, and contributed tens of thousands of dollars to help cover the family’s rebuild-ing and temporary housing expenses. Ashley Harrison, who organized the donation drive, showed she has as big a heart as anyone’s.

Hearts are due, too, for the residents of Worthington who are letting their Council on Aging know about their opinions on building a senior center or community center in town. Hilltown CDC, hired as a consultant for the town, expected that the online and mail-in sur-vey would yield perhaps 10 percent participa-tion. Instead, they’ve heard back from almost half the households in town. For the rest of you, responses are requested by Feb. 22. The more people participate, the more likely that Worthington tax dollars will be spent in a way that the majority of taxpayers actually want.

Everyone involved in Project 351 deserves a heart — from the students, one from each town, who gather in Boston to dedicate them-selves to public service, to the organizers who coordinate their volunteer work, networking and learning. The Project 351 “ambassadors” from Gateway Regional Middle School were profiled in last week’s newspaper, but all of the Hilltowns, from every school district, were rep-resented by volunteers. Also deserving a heart is local state Rep. William “Smitty” Pignatelli, who was honored this year as a Project 351 “Service Hero” for his support of the program.

Send out another heart to Pignatelli’s new-est colleagues, Lindsay Sabadosa and Natalie Blais. Fresh off their electoral victories as new-comers in 2018, the region’s two freshman state representatives have made it a point to be present in their districts, starting with district offices and local office hours and branching out into more innovative ways of sparking political dialogue, such as participating in regional “lis-tening sessions.” Beacon Hill can feel awfully far away to voters in Western Massachusetts. Kudos to our representatives for bringing it a bit closer.

How about a valentine for the Blandford Board of Selectmen and everyone involved in the “Hometown Hero” program? On last week’s front page we told you about this opportunity for local individuals and organi-zations to purchase banners honoring veterans from town. The banners will be flown from utility poles up and down Main Street in time for Memorial Day. At $80 per banner, they’ve kept the cost low enough for an individual family or friend to recognize a loved one. Of course, all our towns honor their veterans with plaques and monuments. But seeing their faces, and seeing them highlighted individually along a major thoroughfare, will be particularly inspiring for Blandford residents this year.

Whom would you give a heart? Send your

letter to the editor to [email protected].

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 413-283-8393.

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

EDITORIAL

OPINION

Country Journal

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ISSN NO. 0747-2471

By Deborah Daniels

Be sure to give lots of love this Valentine’s Day. Share the love, it’s always worth it. Esther Allen

Howland believed that expressing love through valentine cards would ignite many a romantic flame. She was right. Esther Allen Howland was the mother of American valen-tines. She created a dozen sample valentine cards of fancy lace-cut paper, in the fashion of expensive, imported cards from England, in 1848. She knew she could match the cards that came over from England and Europe. She convinced her salesman brother to add her handcrafted cards to his inven-tory to sell. Her brother sold stationery and books from the family business, throughout the country. Her father owned the largest book and stationery store in Worcester. She hoped he would get $200 worth of sales. He returned with $5,000 worth of sales for her! Jump-start valentine production!

Was it the four brothers she grew up with or the education she received at Mount Holyoke College that put her off the idea of marriage? Esther Howland never married. She knew and shared the sentiment of love with the American public. It seems she mar-ried her career. She graduated from college at age 19 and developed her valentines the next year.

She was a very successful business-woman. She employed friends and opened the third-floor guest bedroom of her fam-ily home to make a workshop. She devel-oped an assembly line of women making Valentine’s Day cards, 30 years before Henry Ford’s assembly line for making cars. Esther cut the basic design while the assem-bly group copied the card. Early cards had four lines of verse printed on a sheet of paper that was pasted inside the cards. This became the standard style of card for valen-tines. She also hired local women to work from their homes, giving them a box with all the materials inside to make the sample card. A driver picked up the finished cards in one week, leaving a new design to be worked. A new cottage industry was born. Esther inspected every finished card. She was known to pay well for work that was “light and pleasant.”

Her first advertisement for valentine cards went into the Worcester Spy in 1850 (this was the newspaper of the American Revolution, created by Isaiah Thomas in 1770 and moved to Worcester to avoid cap-ture by the British in Boston). She continued to work from home until 1879 when she did relocate to a factory. She incorporated the New England Valentine Company in 1870. She published a valentine verse book with 31 pages of verse, which could be cut out and pasted over the verse in one of her cards if the buyer wanted to customize a card. Her simple cards sold for 5 cents and more elaborate cards went up to $1.50. She devel-

Vintage romanceHILLTOWN HISTORY

Esther Howland’s home in Worcester was her first “factory.”

One of Esther Howland’s 19th century rose-and-lace valentines, which started the mass-produced greeting card industry in Massachusetts. Submitted photos

Mass-produced valentine’s cards have come to include all sorts of images over the past century and a half.ROMANCE, page 5


BECKET

BECKET — A 27-year-old veteran from Becket who served in Afghanistan, who wishes to remain anonymous, is facing the battle of his life and needs the help and encouragement of his communi-ty. He has an aggressive, inoperable brain cancer which is unresponsive to standard treatments. He is now pursuing alterna-tive medicine and a benefit is being held to assist him.

A benefit featuring local bands, catered cuisine and raffles will be

held Sunday, Feb. 24, beginning at 1 p.m. at Papa Bob’s, 71 Chester Road, Becket. Tickets are $15 per person. Entertainment will feature performanc-es from LuLu and the Shoemakers, the Stationary Blues Band, the Becket Praise Team featuring Proud Poverty and more.

Advance tickets are available by emailing [email protected]. Checks may be made payable to Hilltown Benefit or gofundme.com/hill-town-benefit.

Night out to benefit local veteran

“[Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection’s] concern is people have access to contaminated water,” said Paul Merrill. “So, if we can make it non-accessible, then hopefully a plan can be developed so it can be restarted under another’s responsibility.”

State Sen. Adam Hinds sent a letter to the DEP on Feb. 1, on behalf of con-cerned constituents that contacted him following the vote to close the spring at a special Town Meeting on Jan. 22. One of the ideas was to modify the spring pipe so that tanker trucks can’t attach a hose to it and pump the water out, one of the theories for why coliform testing results spiked.

“The hypothetical truck has never been proven and with the technology everyone carries in their pockets, we’d think it’d show up,” Chairman Bill Elovirta said.

Residents also discussed getting the town out from liability and letting the nonprofit organization Becket Cares Inc. take over responsibility of the spring. The administrative consent order from DEP to town officials, issued in 2017, requires the town to install a dis-

infection system or render the spring inaccessible.

The selectmen have discussed the possibility of pulling out the pipe that carries the water, and blocking off the area with large boulders to prevent other pipes from being put in. Residents argued whether it’d be possible to make the spring “inaccessible” while leaving the possibility of reopening it on the table in the future.

“Inactive means it can reopened, [decommissioned] means we can’t,” said Gail Kusek, who founded and runs Becket Cares.

Kusek sent a letter to Hinds and town officials on Monday, Feb. 11, with her proposal from the Feb. 6 meeting. Kusek argued that the vote on Jan. 22 only rejected funding the proposed treatment system with town funds, and did not mandate closing down the spring entirely. Her proposal is to put a cap on the pipe to stop the water flow while funds are raised.

“The Becket Spring could be made inactive, meaning an attachment put on the end, so no one can get water out, until Becket Cares can get the UV

building required by the DEP funded and built. This would get the town ‘off the hook,’” Kusek wrote. “The select-men encouraged me to start a nonprofit to take over the spring after they built it. This I did. They had the plans drawn up. The town voted not to fund this project. That is no reason to stop the project from going forward with other funding.”

Elovirta voiced his concern with the proposed cap, noting that someone could go down with a hacksaw and cut the blocker off to reopen it.

Planning Board Chairman Robert Ronzio voiced his doubts over the argu-ments being made to keep the spring, as he feels the evidence that people are using, justifying the spring based on their personal and family stories, don’t have any factual weight to them.

“The issue here with the well is you don’t know how long it has been contaminated. You have people with anecdotal evidence. It’s not scientific,” Ronzio said. “We do have scientific evi-dence. The scientific evidence says the water is potentially contaminated and has the potential to be contaminated

even further.”Ronzio added that, as Route 20 is

a state road, any cars parking along the sides of the road to visit the spring are breaking the law.

“It’s another accident waiting to happen,” he said. “It’s on a critical cor-ner.”

Elovirta said town officials con-tinue to work with town counsel, the Deerhaven Lot Owners Trust, and Larry Rogowski — owner of a stirp of land in front of the spring — to make sure the town will have the necessary permis-sions to go onto the spring property and carry out the consent order.

Kusek said in her letter that she has reached an agreement with Rogowski to sell the land to Becket Cares. She is planning to start her classes to become a certified water operator on Feb. 22 and is continuing to work on finding alter-natives to prevent the spring from being closed down.

“Becket voted not to fund the spring project. They did not vote to have the spring shut down permanent-ly,” she wrote. “We have shown a viable way to keep the spring open.”

SPRING from page 1

BECKET — Movie Afternoon at the Athenaeum will feature “A Dog’s Purpose” Saturday, Feb. 16, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Lasse Hallström directed this adap-tation of the best-selling novel of the same name by W. Bruce Cameron, which follows a dog voiced by Josh Gad as he is reincarnated as different breeds

belonging to various owners. Over the course of multiple lifetimes, the canine’s existence intersects with that of a young boy who rescued him in 1962.

All movies shown at the Becket Athenaeum are free to the public and do not require pre-registration. Popcorn will be served. The Athenaeum is at 3367 Main St., Becket.

Dog movie to be screened freeBECKET — The children from

the Friday Enrichment After-School Program at the Becket Athenaeum have created STEAM-based Adventure Boxes now available for patrons to check-out. These are filled with science experiments and activities to enjoy at home. Each box has its own theme, with

plenty of materials and instructions for each activity. Themes include “Water,” “Magnets,” “Archaeology” and “Simple Machines.”

For more information, call 413-623-5483 or email [email protected]. The Athenaeum is at 3367 Main St., Becket.

STEAM-based adventure boxesnow available for checkout

PoetryCorner••

YokohamaBy Fred Caron

She used the work ‘nostalgia’That summer of ’63

As we walked the streets of innocenceHer voice, a song to me.

She spoke of the past with sadnessA past, not again to liveEven by her children —

A world she could never give.

I recall the grandest teahouseWith its tango music’s swell.

Rich as heady brandyA fantasy, a spell.

I live my own nostalgia nowA glimpse of remembered youth

When the bay glistened as diamondsAnd the moment was purest truth.

oped many innovations in cards, such as lift-up flap designs, three-dimensional accordion effects, bouquets of flowers that moved when pulled by a string to reveal a verse, and hidden doors that opened to reveal envelopes that could hold secret messages, locks of hair and even engagement rings! She is known for layering tissue paper under paper lace motifs and using silk and ribbons in

very artistic ways. She expanded her business to create

paper ornaments, Christmas, New Year’s and birthday cards, and May baskets. Her business grossed over $100,000 per year. Esther Howland sold her business in 1880 to George Whitney, a competitor in the greeting card business. She retired to care for her ailing father. She died in 1904 at age 75. Newspapers gave her

the epitaph of the “Mother of American Valentines” as tribute to her work.

Make some hearts glow Feb. 14, send a valentine.

Do you have a memory or historical curiosity from the Hilltowns that you’d like to share with your neighbors? Send your story and photos to [email protected].

OPINION

News, photo publication policyAs a community newspaper our focus has always been local news. While we try very hard to run upcoming

events as a public service whenever space allows, space does not allow us to run an upcoming event repeatedly. Our policy is to limit publication of upcoming events to one article in advance of the event and, space permitting, a second brief reminder article the week prior to an event, and to run those articles in only one section of the paper, and not in multiple sections simultaneously.

All such public service announcements and photos are subject to space limitations and deadlines, therefore publication cannot be guaranteed. Whenever copy for the week exceeds allotted space, news copy will take priority, and public service copy is the first area to be cut. We also reserve the right to edit for style and space, and are under no obligation to print lists of sponsorships, or articles that arrive after deadline, unless time and space allows.

Deadline is Monday at NOON, on holidays it is Friday at 2 p.m.

BECKET — The Hi l l town Brouhaha will return for a fourth year Saturday, July 13, at Washington Town Park.

Becket Washington Community Partnership, which organizes the two-town community fair, is calling all craft-ers, artisans and vendors to reserve space at this event. “Treasure in the trunk” tag sale space is available for $10, and tables for $20.

The fair is supported in part by a grant from the Central Berkshire Fund of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation and also i part by funding from the Becket and Washington cultural councils. Before moving to Washington last year, the Brouhaha was held in North Becket in 2016 and 2015.

To register or to learn more about the fair, visit www.HilltownBrouhaha.org.

Vendors sought for Brouhaha in July

ROMANCE from page 4

•


BLANDFORD

BLANDFORD — Selectmen this week appointed Rene Senecal of Goshen to be the town’s new highway superintendent, replacing Brad Curry.

Senecal has held similar posi-tions in Chester for seven years and in Hinsdale since 2014.

He holds associate degrees in auto-motive technology and business admin-istration, and all pertinent licenses.

The vote was taken at the select-men’s meeting Monday, Feb. 11. He will begin his duties in Blandford March 4.

Senecal hired as new highway supt.

CHOCOLATE from page 1

People flocked to Blandford Porter Memorial Library from surround-ing Hilltowns and even Westfield on Saturday, Feb. 9, to enjoy a presentation about the history of chocolate and its evolution to the current solid form we know and love.

The presentat ion began with a brief history of chocolate, from the Mayans who drank it frothy, to invading Europeans who brought it back as an aphrodisiac, and then eventually learned how to process it into bars and add milk to create milk chocolate. Participants then learned the difference between eat-ing and tasting with some helpful and entertaining footage of “I Love Lucy” serving as a do-not-do example.

All six of the chocolate samples pro-vided were made by small bean-to-bar American chocolate craftspeople, rang-ing from the 95 percent stone-ground Taza (manufactured in Somerville) to the crowd favorite Madre Chocolate bar, with beans grown and manufactured in Hawaii. The flavors ranged from smoky to floral, and everywhere in between. The beans were all individually sourced, meaning that the individual flavors of the place were able to shine through.

The presentation ended with a snap-shot of the global chocolate trade indus-try and the importance of buying choc-olate from reputable sources who pay

fairly for it, to ensure the quality of the product and the welfare for the commu-nity in which it is grown.

Participants were then offered some commercial milk chocolate, and most did not even want to put it in their mouths after sampling the gour-met varieties. Those who did take the popular confection tasted it like never before — and said they won’t be going back for more. One taster said, “It

tastes of sour milk.”Said self-proclaimed chocoholic

— someone who always has a stash of chocolate chips at the ready — Robin Stevens, “I was so pleasantly surprised at that thoroughly spectacular presentation of chocolate. Absolutely fantastic! Not to mention delicious and fun! I will never eat another piece of chocolate without thinking about: fair trade, feel, smell, snap and taste. It was so interesting to learn the about the process.”

She continued, “My favorite was Amano. It is so delightful to come to the library with a fire going, a warm and inviting atmosphere.”

“This program brought a taste of chocolate around the world made in America, to our small town, and most importantly brought the community together on a cold winter’s day for the delicious fun of learning something new about an old love — chocolate,” said Daviau.

The Porter Memorial Library in Blandford had a packed house on Saturday as Library Director Nicole Daviau, standing at far right, spoke about the history of chocolate.

Daviau provided attendees with a variety of gourmet chocolates from American small businesses. Photos by Mary Kronholm

MIDDLEFIELD

MIDDLEFIELD — Kids are invited to help make the pizza for the Thursday senior lunch next week.

The Blossom Community Center will hold its traditional pizza party during school vacation week. The piz-za-making party starts at 11 a.m. at the community center at 16 Bell Road, Middlefield. The meal will be served at 12:30 p.m.

Following the pizza lunch, all ages

are welcome to stick around for a spe-cial animal presentation. At 1 p.m., Jen Leahey from NatureMatters.org will lead an interactive educational program with a skunk, owl, tortoises, small snake and at “a fuzzy touchable critter.”

All are welcome to participate in the party, but it would help planning if those who are bringing kids would noti-fy the center ahead of time at 413-623-2155, ext. 111.

Pizza party, animal presentation next week

Last Sunday’s Valentine’s pancake breakfast fundraiser for the Middlefield Fair had great turnout. Future fundraising meals will be a corned beef dinner March 16, and pancake breakfasts again April 14 and May 12.

Submitted photo by Tamarin Laurel

HEART-Y BREAKFAST

MIDDLEFIELD SENIOR CENTERLunch is served at the Senior

Center, 169 Skyline Trail, Middlefield, each Wednesday at noon.

A $3 donation is suggested. Reservations should be made, and meal choice stated, by calling and leaving a

message at 413-623-9990 the Monday before. The menu on Wednesday, Feb. 20, is cheeseburger or homemade meat-loaf, steamed spinach, whipped potato, pumpernickel bread and butterscotch pudding.

BLOSSOM COMMUNITY CENTERBuffet meals are held twice weekly

at Blossom Community Center, 16 Bell Road, Middlefield.

Meals are open to people of any age and any town. Donations keep these going. Volunteer clean-up welcomed. Diners should sign in upon arrival; advance notice is not necessary.

Vegetarian side dishes, home-made soups and bread, salad bar, dessert, and beverage selections round out the menu options. Entrees for this week are:

Tuesday, Feb. 19: Dinner at 5:30 p.m. is turkey.

Thursday, Feb. 21: Lunch at 12:30 p.m. is a pizza party.

Ray Gero and Barbara Miller celebrated their February birthday at the Middlefield Senior Center recently. Also pictured are librarian Mary Ann Walsh and Marilyn Miller.

SUBMITTED PHOTO

BIRTHDAY BUDDIES

BLANDFORD — The Blandford Council on Aging will special events the next two Fridays at Blandford Town Hall, 1 Russell Stage Road.

Friday, Feb. 15: The Center for Active Adults will present the movie “Valentine’s Day” at 1 p.m., starring

Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Garner, Taylor Swift, Jamie Foxx, Jessica Alba and Kathy Bates. Popcorn and drinks are available. This event is free of charge.

Friday, Feb. 22: The monthly break-fast at 10 a.m. will feature waffles and sausage. The fee is $5 per person.

Valentine’s film, breakfast coming up


CHESTER

CHESTER — Chester Theatre Company has announced a significant, new artistic undertaking, a locally commis-sioned play exploring the sensitive topic of childhood sexual abuse.

Playwright Darcy Parker Bruce has been selected to author the new work, tentatively slated for the 2020 season. Longtime CTC attendees Frances Henry and Walter Korzec have generously under-written the project with a $100,000 gift to the company. This marks the first com-mission in what the organization sees as a new artistic initiative, to consistently devel-op original works that will appear on its stage and have life in other theaters beyond Western Massachusetts.

With the renovation of CTC’s property at 4 Main St. in Chester, made possible, in part, with a $44,000 grant from the state’s Cultural Facilities Fund, a place now exists for writers to be in residence in the town

during the company’s “off-season” months.“Fran and Walter’s remarkable gift

allows us to create a project that is deep-ly in keeping with what makes Chester Theatre Company so special,” said Daniel Elihu Kramer, producing artistic director. “We bring together audiences and artists in a uniquely intimate relationship. Darcy’s work radiates beauty, and a faith in human-ity informs everything she writes. I look forward to the play that will arise from this project, and to a future in which we devel-op new work regularly.”

This play will deal with the challeng-ing topic of childhood sexual abuse. Henry is the founder and former executive direc-tor of Stop It Now!, an organization that “… prevents the sexual abuse of children by mobilizing adults, families and commu-nities to take actions that protect children before they are harmed.” The work being commissioned in Chester is born from her

experience and dedication to this important issue.

“Chester consistently brings to its audience a depth of human heart, mind and soul that moves us, elevates us,” said Henry. “This is the theater to tackle the thorniest bits of the human condition.” She added: “Once in a great while we come across a mystery which defies our best attempts to pick it apart. If we are success-ful, we will shine light on such a mystery and share a few of our best tools to let an audience do their own picking, if you will.”

When asked why Bruce was the right playwright to address this sensitive topic, Henry stated, “She holds such experience and such promise for challenging topics. Her work moves me to wonder, to contem-plate, perhaps even to act differently.”

Bruce comes to the project with a host of impressive credits. She is a grad-uate of the MFA Playwriting program at

Smith College and is currently on faculty at several Connecticut colleges. She was the recipient of a 2017 Tennessee Williams Scholarship through the Sewanee Writers’ Conference and was recently granted ATHE’s 2018 Judith Royer Award for Excellence in Theater, which brought her play, “Soldier Poet,” to Boston.

“The social stigma surrounding sexual abuse, and in particular, the kind of trauma that results from childhood sexual abuse, is profoundly damaging,” said Bruce. “I am grateful for this chance to write a play that will invite an audience to begin a lasting conversation regarding a taboo topic. This play is a chance to release us from that stigma and taboo. To allow an audience to focus not solely on abuse, but rather on the beauty and the persistence of the human spirit.”

For more information, call 413-354-7770 or visit www.chestertheatre.org.

Theater patrons, award-winning playwright to tackle sensitive subject

“One of the things I did was to look at what would flood insurance cost because if we can’t get flood insurance, the bank and state funding [sources] won’t look at it,” Lischetti explained. “When you add some-where between $5,000 and $10,000 for flood, insurance it would basically make the project unfeasible for us. When we do our little budgets right next to insurance is taxes. What occurred to me is that if we could get a break on the taxes, because it’s a priority for the town, that might make it more something we could look at.”

Lischetti’s initial proposal was to ask for no taxes on the property. Finance Committee Chairman Andy Myers was in attendance at the meeting on Monday, Feb. 11, and supported the project request.

“Getting it renovated is huge. Even if we gave $3,000 [towards the project], I think we’d make it up in other parts of the

area if that can be brought back to life,” he said.

Selectmen John Baldasaro and Barbara Huntoon weren’t on board with giving a full tax break.

“I don’t think I want to sign some-thing that’s going to say we’re never getting taxes from this building again,” Baldasaro said. “I’d be willing to look at a sliding scale tax relief depending on what your flood insurance costs are going to be.”

The proposal would add six to eight housing units, which would include some units available based on Massachusetts Section 8 housing program eligibility requirements and some for market-rate rent. Huntoon inquired why the build-ing couldn’t be for senior housing and Lischetti explained that would require additions, such as an elevator, that could add another $100,000 or more to the cost

that is already expected to be around $1 million.

“Can we even do [an elevator] in a flood way? It doesn’t seem to lend itself to that,” Lischetti said. “[We’re] looking at $1 million worth of renovations. If we’re spending $1 million on the construction … probably the majority of that amount of money would be coming from these state deferred-payment loans that we’re never going to have to pay back.”

“I’m not sold, I’m sorry. I’m not sure that’s the best use for that building,” Huntoon said.

Myers added, “There aren’t many other options for that building. The Board of Health has already condemned it. It’s on the margin right now.”

Baldasaro confirmed there’s a wait-ing list for people looking for rentals in Chester and that there will be a market for

it, if options present themselves. He’s inter-ested in continuing to look for a solution to give some tax relief while not writing off the possibility of getting any taxes.

“I think it’s reasonable to ask we miti-gate taxes for a period, maybe it’s a sliding scale, these are things we can talk about,” he said.

TAX from page 1

CHESTER — The Chester Hill Association will sponsor a sledding day at Holzman’s Hill on Ingell Road, 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16.

Hot chocolate and cookies will be available. All are invited to bring tubes, saucers, toboggans and sleds and have some fun with neighbors. If there is not sufficient snow, it will be held the fol-lowing Saturday, Feb. 23.

Sledding day Feb. 16

WORTHINGTON

Relaxing coloring for seniors every Tuesday at store

W O RT H I N G T O N — T h e Council on Aging sponsors an after-noon of relaxing with coloring every week.

Coloring books and all tools, wet or dry, are provided. There is no cost. Sessions meet in the COA room at the rear of the general store in the center of town every Tuesday from 1 to 3 p.m.

All seniors are welcome. For more information, contact Joan Hicks at 413-296-4571.

WO RT H I N G TO N — N i n t h -generation oxen logger and licensed for-ester Tom Jenkins will be demonstrat-ing techniques for harvesting timber with draft animals on Saturday, March 2, from 10 a.m. to noon at 43 Witt Hill Road in Worthington. Participants will hear why this style of logging is more environmen-tally friendly and economical for small timber harvests, as well as see how the logging team works together to move large logs.

Admission is $10 for members of the Hilltown Land Trust, $15 for non-mem-bers, free for children. New members who join the Hilltown Land Trust for $50 will receive one free adult admis-sion. Advance registration is encouraged at [email protected] or 413-628-4485, ext. 4.

The demonstration will take place on private property. Participants should

expect to be outside for the duration of the talk and dress warmly and be prepared to be walking through the woods in variable snow conditions.

Participants are encouraged to come with questions about forestry and draft animal logging. The demonstration will include a discussion around a campfire of sustainable forest management plans and tips for choosing a forester and logger.

As concern increases over the resil-iency of forest ecosystems, many land-owners are using draft animal power to harvest their trees more sustainably. Planned timber harvests are important for increasing the health and benefits of for-ests, and generate income from the land. Logging with draft animals instead of machinery reduces the ecological impact of timber harvesting by minimizing soil compaction and erosion, and allowing for smaller skid trails and more selective cuts.

Forester to give draft animal logging demo

stand the community. We make our case that it’s really worth investing in this facil-ity because there’s a need for it and this is what people want.”

Christopolis noted a couple factors in the need for a new senior center. First, the Council on Aging has never had its own building. It used R.H. Conwell Elementary School for a time, but eventually the school population grew to the point there wasn’t any space left for the seniors. Last September, the COA opened a new home behind Corners Grocery.

“The current COA facility is in the back of our local store. It is being leased, and there are new owners,” explained Kevin O’Connor. “It is a good compromise right now, but there is not enough space for all the activities that our COA and other COAs would like to provide. Right now, it is assumed that all activities would move to a new facility. Again, the temporary facility

at the store is a very good compromise, as it is centrally located and is adjacent to an active community ‘center’ — our store and Post Office.”

Second, with the population of people ages 60 and older projected to increase over the next decade, having a place for people to come together and do activities is important in the remote areas of the Hilltowns.

“This is an aging area, the Hilltowns, and young people are moving to cities, not the country, anymore,” Christopolis said. “We have to have these things in place so we can help people transition to the end. Rural areas are more typically seeing an aging population. We’re not immune to that in Western Massachusetts.”

CDC has worked on other senior and community center projects in the area. The Chesterfield Senior Center and Cummington Community House were both

CDC-funded projects. Architect Kathy Ford, who has worked with CDC in the past, has been hired as part of the study to identify potential locations in Worthington for the center. Ford and town represen-tatives will be visiting the Chesterfield, Cummington and Dalton centers to learn more about the designs.

“Those are three that are sim-ilar enough to what we want to do that we’re going to take a look at. They’re going together to do these tours and talk the people that work there,” Christopolis explained. “I’m guessing it’ll be four or five sites in Worthington to look at more extensively. Then we’ll need to have an engineer come in and give us tests on soil, waters samples, stuff like that.”

Because the engineering tests and the time, it takes to do the tests, Christopolis said they hope to have something ready to present to the public next fall, potentially in

September or October.“In the end we will hopefully come up

with something cost effective that the town will consider doing,” he said. “If the town wanted to pursue a next step, which would be funding to build something, we’d be interested [in helping]. Right now, we just want to see if it’s feasible. It might not be.”

Christopolis said he’s had some pre-liminary discussions with town officials about the current senior center situation in town, but he’s waiting for all the surveys to come in before diving in and really break-ing down what people are saying.

A copy of the survey was mailed to every household in town. It is also available at worthington-ma.us, and the CDC web-site, www.hilltowncdc.org. Hard copies are available at the Town Hall. Surveys are due back by Feb. 22. Christopolis said it’s important that each resident only fill out one survey.

SURVEY from page 1

Seniors are invited to a relaxing afternoon of coloring every Tuesday with the Worthington Council on Aging.

Submitted photo


The volunteer connector for people 55 and over

www.rsvppv.org(413) 387-4558

WILLIAMSBURG

By Peter Spotts

WILLIAMSBURG — A myriad of colors and shapes deftly woven together across canvas into shapes of animals, buildings, people and nature is local artisan Lennie Kaumzha’s calling card and on display at Meekins Library for patrons to enjoy.

Taking 24-by-30-foot canvases, Kaumzha draws the outlines of what image he wants the painting to depict and then starts covering it with a variety of shapes like squares, triangles and circles. He’s drawn by the creativity and excite-ment the art lifestyle brings, while also pursuing musical interests with his fiddle and writing.

“I never know what I’m going to end with,” Kaumzha said. “I like art because I sort of live on the edge of society. I wasn’t even sure if I’d even make it [as an artist]. The lifestyle was a big part of [drawing my interest].”

Starting with doing geometric shape designs, animals were incorporated when Kaumzha drew on his interest of Native American philosophy and imagery. His first original painting was combining the wolf with a moon. He then added a hawk and fish to his portfolio as he expand-ed and experimented with the different designs he could do.

His grandparents immigrated to the United States from Poland and Lithuania in the early 1900s. Kaumzha grew up in Springfield, Ill., where he played base-ball and basketball with a passion for sports.

Kaumzha didn’t tap into his artis-tic interest until 1972 — after pursuing chemical engineering, math, economics and philosophy — when he went to San Jose State University for five years of study, but since then he has been painting for more than 30 years. This came after a stint in the Peace Corps.

“I realized I wasn’t going to make it in the sports world, and I started in engi-neering,” Kaumzha said. “Art became my interest. [Chaim] Soutine was one of my favorite painters. … I still have the sports bug in me, I was playing ping pong last week.”

While studying at San Jose State, Kaumzha was introduced to tin can art by a roommate. Taking advantage of recycling tin cans, Kaumzha said he would cut patterns into the cans and then use an oxyacetylene torch to burn pat-terns into it. While he has retired from making them, he says he still has some in inventory that he’ll be looking to unload at future art shows.

“It’s very simple and straight. I do two things — cutting and welding cans together,” he explained.

In 1978, Kaumzha moved to Brattleboro, Vt., where he began work-ing at the Common Ground Restaurant, which heavily influenced his artistic development.

“I started doing my stained-glass painting types while I was there,” he

explained.He moved to Northampton in the

1998 for the interesting philosophy con-nections in the city. After 12 years there, he settled in Haydenville.

“I love Haydenville,” Kaumzha said. “It’s like living in a national park around here, even better than a national park, to tell you the truth. I feel like I was lucky to find New England.”

Kaumzha spends between 15 to 30 hours for each painting he does. One of the fun aspects of his mosaic-fusion

style designs is that he can go back and re-color different shapes in a picture to try different ideas or inspirations that strike him.

“I’ll see a new strain and repaint it to bring out a new color,” he said. “I’m really into color. It’s fun. I’ve redone painting in different styles and color.”

A collection of Kaumzha’s work is on display at the Meekins Library through the end of the month. From 1-3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 16, Kaumzha will be at Meekins to discuss his work and maybe even perform a few songs on his fiddle. For more information on the event, visit www.meekins-library.org. For pictures of Kaumzha’s work and more information about what he does, visit www.tincanlights.com.

Mosaic art born from artist’s varied life experiences

“The Gleaners,” by Lennie Kaumzha.

Williamsburg’s Lennie Kaumzha takes a seat during an exhibition at the Forbes Library in Northampton this month.

Submitted photo

“Fiddle Player,” by Lennie Kaumzha.

“Jestor,” by Lennie Kaumzha.

“Panther II,” by Lennie Kaumzha.

Evening of musicFeb. 16 to featureKetch Horizon Band

WILLIAMSBURG — “The Goodhue Project — Every Song Has a Story” will take place at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16, at the Haydenville Congregational Church on the corner of High Street and Route 9. The Ketch Horizon Band, featuring Karen Guiel as vocal-ist and on keyboard, Fred Goodhue on guitar, Jake Cunningham on bass, and Nick Dines on drums, will be playing original songs written by the Goodhue brothers as well as some classic covers. Two sets of music will be played with homemade snacks in between. The sug-gested donation is $10.


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farmers to cover ground silage. He made it while he was working as a science specialist at the D.A. Sullivan School in Northampton.

“I had built a bunch of inflatable things, like a rocket nose cone that looked like a giant chocolate kiss with a window in it,” Morrison explained. “I started cutting and taping, cutting and taping, cutting and taping, and by 2 a.m. I had my whale. I turned on the fan and it worked.”

Over the years, the whale has jour-neyed from Western Massachusetts to the Prudential Center in Boston. After a lengthy hiatus, the Westhampton Elementary Parent-Teacher Organization approached Morrison about bringing his whale back into the open.

“I saw a historic Northampton Facebook post about the whale being an exhibit and I knew Frank because he’s a neighbor,” Morley Cleary explained. “I thought it’d be really neat to bring it to the school for the kids.”

Neat it was. As the 72-foot plastic behemoth, taking up the entire length of the gym, began inflating, kids gasped “wow” and “awesome.” Once inside, there were plenty more exclamations of excitement.

“This is huge!” exclaimed a voice from somewhere in the whale’s belly.

“It’s really cool,” said sixth grader Carter Cleary. “It’s weird that’s so big and it didn’t take long to blow up.”

Taking advantage of the couple min-utes the whale took to inflate, Morrison would ask each class questions about whales, the type of whale he had made. He pointed out the iconic fin on the top of the plastic model, the signature feature giving the whale its name, and the double blowhole through which it breathes. He also entertained the kids with the in-depth explanation of how whales feed on krill by corralling them into one place and then coming at them from below.

“It never gets old,” Morrison said, beaming around at all the smiling kids.

“Everybody likes it. I like to joke that I’ve got a lot of smileage out of this whale.”

WESTHAMPTON

WESTHAMPTON — Comet the Bright Spot Therapy Dog will drop in for storytime at the Westhampton Public Library at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 23. All kids are welcome to say hi to Comet and enjoy a story.

Also coming up at the library, 1

North Road, Westhampton:Tuesday, Feb. 19: Scrabble, 2

p.m.Wednesday, Feb. 20: Storytime,

10 a.m.; Coffee ’n’ Chat, 10 a.m.Thursday, Feb. 21: Drop-in bul-

let journaling, 5:30 p.m.

Therapy dog at library Feb. 23

Fred Morrison prepares to inflate his life-size, 72-foot plastic whale in the gym.

WHALE from page 1

Westhampton Elementary PTO members Morley Cleary and Becky Alexander hold the door closed to keep the air in while the whale inflates.

Members Jenny Finnie’s sixth grade class squeeze themselves into the tail of the life-sized plastic fin whale.

It took every inch of the school gym to fit a fin whale, the second-largest species on the planet after the blue whale. Photo by Peter Spotts

Visit us atwww.

turley.com

Sixth graders Daniel Martin, Elijah Picard, Ryan Brooks, Adin Clifford, Payton Norris and Kailee Roncone stand under the blowhole of the 72-foot plastic fin whale occupying the Westhampton Elementary School gym on Feb. 7.


GATEWAY

Parents and guardians of students living in the Gateway Regional School District are advised that applications are now available for students interested in applying to Smith Vocational or Westfield Technical Academy for the 2019-20 school year. Applications are available in the Middle School guidance office for eighth graders, and in the High School guidance office for any interested high school students.

Students looking for a vocation-al education are reminded that Gateway offers a fully accredited vocational pro-gram in welding. The welding program uses a virtual welding system that allows students to safely learn and practice new techniques. Students interested in visiting the Gateway welding program are always welcome and should see their guidance counselor to arrange a visit. This option affords students to stay at their home school, which features a strong academic program that allows for a career and tech-nology track with different graduation requirements. Gateway also offers strong athletic programs that include varsity and junior varsity options.

Gateway is in the process of securing a second Chapter 74 (vocational) program for early childhood, which will be tied to the full-day preschool now located on the Gateway Middle-High School campus.

All parents should note that an appli-cation for a vocational program must be submitted to the Middle School guidance office (for students currently in grade 8) or the High School guidance office (for students currently in high school) by Friday, March 1, in order for students to be eligible. In addition to submitting the application, an interview with the vocational program admissions counsel-or, along with a recommendation from a Gateway guidance counselor, will need to be obtained for each applicant. All students choosing to complete an online application should notify the Gateway Middle School or High School guidance office.

Smith Vocational has an online appli-cation process this year; however, any Smith Voke applicants who have applied online should also submit a hard copy of a non-resident tuition form to the guid-ance office, along with a hard copy of their application.

Parents or guardians of eighth grade students are encouraged to contact William Romani regarding the voca-tional application process, at 413-685-1207 or [email protected]. Current high school students who wish to apply for a vocational school next year may contact the high school guidance office at 413-685-1107.

Vocational school applications due,available in guidance office

All schools and offices in the Gateway Regional School District will be closed Feb. 18-22 for the Winter Break.

The Littleville Wrap-Around Program will be open Tuesday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., provided enough children pre-register. Parents are reminded to send children with a lunch

and two snacks, as the cafeteria will not be open that week. Children should be dressed to go outside. Families who pre-register, but do not attend, will still be charged.

Gateway offices will be closed as part of energy and money-saving efforts throughout the district.

Schools, offices to close for winter vacation

HUNTINGTON — The next GYAA Executive Board meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 5, at 7 p.m. in Stanton Hall in Huntington. Some of the items on the agenda for this meeting include the formation of the spring travel soccer team rosters and the final planning for the upcoming season. These meet-ings are held on the first Tuesday of each month, unless otherwise posted, and are open to the public. Participation is wel-come in order to keep the organization effective. The Gateway Youth Athletic Association runs recreational sports

programs for youth from Blandford, Chester, Huntington, Middlefield, Montgomery, Russell and Worthington.

Deadline for registration for spring travel soccer is Feb. 17. Early registra-tion is encouraged to make team creation easier.

The group is looking for new vol-unteers. GYAA is in need of a PVJSL director and volunteer coordinator. Anyone interested in becoming part of the organization is asked to attend the next meeting or contact Jason Forgue at 413-205-6504.

Next GYAA meeting on will be held on Tuesday, March 5

HUNTINGTON — On Friday, Feb. 15, the Gateway choirs will be hosting a family movie night and bake sale at 6 p.m. in the Gateway Performing Arts Center. Admission will not be charged, but donations will be gratefully accepted at the door. Funds raised will help defray the cost of their competition and field trip to New York City.

The film will be Disney/Pixar’s “Finding Nemo” (rated G). Marlin, a clown fish from the Great Barrier Reef and an overprotective father, loses his son to a mysterious diver

and must travel across the ocean in order to find him. The film shows the physical and emotional journey of a father who will do anything for his family.

This event is an excellent oppor-tunity to witness the newly renovat-ed, state-of-the-art projection system paid for by the Shipman Memorial Fund of the Gateway Education Foundation; this is also the first film to be shown with the GPAC’s new sound system.

The school complex is at 12 Littleville Road, Huntington.

Choirs to host family movie night, bake sale

“This was the best Honor Band experience that I ever had!” said third-time clarinetist and Gateway senior Kilee Holmes, after a long 12-hour day at the annual UMass Honor Band held Saturday, Feb. 9. Eleven students from Gateway Regional High School were selected by Instrumental Music Director Beth Guertin to take part in the event: Robert Austin, Caden Boeri, Sophia De La Cruz Rivera, John Gaj, Kilee Holmes, Charlotte Kazalski, Mary MacNeil, Autumn Marchetto, Rachel Meacham, Maria Pless and Crystal Rucki. All arrived at the Amherst campus at 8 a.m. to begin working on pieces in a new envi-ronment with new people to prepare for a concert in the UMass Fine Arts Center at 7 p.m.

“I was honestly blown away by the progress we all made when it was finally time to perform,” saxophonist Autumn Marchetto said.

They did make substantial progress.

In a short span of a single day, students from all over the state banded together to create music. Throughout the day, stu-dents participated in master classes for their instruments.

Caden Boeri said, “During our sec-tional, we played ‘Happy Birthday’ on our saxophones for a saxophonist.” Along with a quirky, improvised happy birth-day, students got to meet and mingle with musicians from other schools, getting insight into the different schools’ band programs.

Additionally, all of the students heard a special performance from the UMass Wind Ensemble and took part in a panel Q&A with college musicians.

“It was so nice to hear what advice they had for us,” said trumpet player Maria Pless.

At the end of the long day, flute play-er Charlotte Kazalski said, “The brass just made me smile all day. The percussion was so good, I was astonished.”

11 students played in UMass Honor Band Feb. 9

HUNTINGTON — Area eighth graders, and their parents or guardians, are invited to an informative presen-tation about Gateway Regional High School on Thursday, Feb. 28, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in Middle School rooms 112-114 at 12 Littleville Road, Huntington.

Students, parents and guardians will meet the high school counselors to learn about the course scheduling pro-cess, along with high school clubs and

activities. Students attending Gateway Regional High School will serve on a question-and-answer panel to speak with eighth graders about their high school experience. After the presenta-tion, tours will be offered of the GRHS facilities.

A t t e n d e e s s h o u l d c o n t a c t Stephanie Conway at 413-685-1107 or [email protected] to sign up. Current Gateway students can also sign up at the high school’s Guidance Office.

High school info night is this month

Gateway musicians take a group photo at UMass Honor Band on Feb. 9. Submitted photo

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

HUNTINGTON — The Gateway Special Education Parent Advisory Council will host a workshop next month for area parents of students with special needs called “Starting and Running a SEPAC.”

The workshop is 6:30-8 p.m. Tuesday, March 12, in rooms 112-114 at Gateway Regional Middle School, 12 Littleville Road, Huntington. Free pizza and childcare will be provided. Advance registration is requested with Karen Malinowski at 413-685-1017 or [email protected].

Schools that deliver special edu-cation services to students are required

to have a SEPAC, but it can be chal-lenging to develop and maintain an effective council. The guest speaker will be Leslie M. Leslie from MassPac, an advisory group that supports all SEPACs in the state. The event will include a presentation, question and answer period, and information about the Federation for Children with Special Needs.

This training is open to all local SEPACs and parents who are interested in starting a SEPAC in their district, developing a more effective SEPAC, or being more effective parent leaders and advocates for their children.

Gateway will host regional SEPAC workshop


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District delivers high quality for low cost

As residents of the six towns that the Gateway Regional School District serves, I believe we’ve

been fortunate to have such an inno-vative school serving the needs of our children. It’s not often that a small and rural school district is able to continue being an educational technology leader while still operating under a budget that is significantly lower than it was 15 years ago. Gateway shares many qualities with other small schools — small class sizes where every student is known by staff; a cohesive student body where students get to participate in a wide range of activi-ties; an environment that is positive and builds on community spirit; course elec-tives buttressed with online course offer-ings as well as the ability to participate in dual-enrollment for college credit; staff members and administrators who tend to stay in the district for long periods of time; and, perhaps most importantly, having towns and community leadership that strongly support good schools.

I’m also pleased with the positive working relationship the district enjoys with local and state police. This is evi-dent in our safety plans, table top exer-cises and consistent help from law enforcement in many other ways. Most important is the positive relationship between these officers and our students with many students knowing, and inter-acting positively with, our local officers. While this is not rare in smaller districts and towns, it still does not happen in every school across the commonwealth.

Gateway is pleased to acknowledge that, due to collaborative efforts, we have succeeded in moving forward an oppor-tunity to expand our vocational offerings. We are in the process of being approved to begin an early childhood vocational program that will operate in conjunction with our new full-day preschool program at the main complex. This will provide us with two Chapter 74 vocational programs in conjunction with our woodworking, broadcast and STEAM (science, technol-ogy, engineering, art, math) programs, which all provide hands-on opportunities for our students.

These programs are important to

student success in terms of broaden-ing opportunities, exploring potential careers, and providing chances to put factual knowledge into practical use. In conjunction with the athletic pro-grams, career exploration opportunities through guidance, a range of extracurric-ular activities, job shadowing, internship offerings and academics, Gateway does well in preparing students for life after high school. Given that our graduates are successful in so many different ways, from the military to being an entrepre-neur, from technical to Ivy League col-leges, and from volunteer services to being professional members of the work-force, it appears that Gateway continues to provide the essential educational ser-vices required to be successful in today’s world.

The ongoing problem that smaller districts (and towns) have is the lack of understanding from those who make the regulations without factoring in the many differences between urban and rural areas. Of course, this isn’t unusual across the country, or even limited only to state governments, but still makes life more difficult. Coupled with the still growing

number of unfunded, or underfunded, mandates that we must all cope with, this makes life as a town or school offi-cial in small towns and school districts much more complicated and difficult than it perhaps should be. What we’re seeing now is changes that have already happened in schools (certi-fication issues, meeting regulations) that forced a much more professional work-force, are now transferring to towns that now require professional staff in posi-tions that were once easily filled by town volunteers (town administrator, town clerk, town financial positions). We’ve certainly seen this over the past several years in many of our towns and, short of a significant change in writing laws and regulations, will likely see this increase over time. That being said, it’s still true that our towns survive due to the service of volunteers and those officials that get paid a small stipend, considering all that they do for our towns.

David B. Hopson is superintendent of the Gateway Regional School District.

SUPERINTENDENT’S CORNER David B. Hopson

GATEWAY


CLUES ACROSS 1. Chop or cut 4. Political action

committee 7. Male parent10. Doctors’ group11. Ottoman military

commander12. A metal-bearing

natural material13. Lively ballroom

dance15. Male Gypsy16. Once-popular card

game19. Occurred just once21. __ Streisand,

singer23. Shiny yellow

minerals24. Get hitched again25. See (Latin)26. Lies between

the Caspian and Persian Gulf

27. Scourges30. Sentence

34. Supervises flying35. Bar bill36. Alfalfa41. Type of dishwasher

soap45. Witnesses46. Ancient Italian-

Greek colony47. Newspapers need

them50. Discuss again54. Small group with

shared interests55. Support56. Wool57. Take hold of59. Likely the first

Meso-American civilization

60. Woman (French)61. Automobile62. Popular Georgia

rockers63. Soviet Socialist

Republic64. A major division of

geological time

CLUES DOWN 1. Czech monetary

unit 2. Able to arouse

feeling 3. Elk 4. Muscular

weaknesses 5. Earlier 6. Lightweight fabric 7. One who greets 8. Soldiers sometimes

wear one 9. Officially prohibit13. US political party14. Used of a number

or amount not specified

17. Make a mistake18. Biopic starring

Jamie Foxx20. Ancient Media

inhabitant22. About aviation27. Popular American

sports league

28. Cologne29. Partner to cheese31. When you’ll get

there32. Not pleased33. One point east

(clockwise) of due north

37. Respects38. Shake up39. Ethiopian river40. Intrinsic nature of

something41. Principal parts of

the brain42. Brews43. Where ships dock44. One who wassails47. Shock treatment48. Popular average49. Things51. A type of “bear”52. Utilize53. European

Economic Community

58. Swiss river

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ARIES Mar 21/Apr 20Spend more time day-dreaming, Aries. Even though it may seem to run counter to being pro-ductive, you may actually find some inspiration to get things done.

TAURUSApr 21/May 21You may not take the same path or go in the same direction as the masses, Taurus. But you find the finish line never-theless. Keep on track-ing your own trail.

GEMINI May 22/Jun 21A few blips on the radar may give you pause, Gemini. But no obsta-cle is going to keep you from your final goal this week. You are ready to forge ahead.

CANCERJun 22/Jul 22No matter how much time you set aside, Cancer, you seem to keep playing catch up. You may need to realize that a few extra helping hands will make a light-er load of your tasks.

LEO Jul 23/Aug 23You can’t contain your excitement or keep a secret. Avoid seeking secrets because you might let the cat out of the bag and don’t want to disappoint.

VIRGO Aug 24/Sept 22Do not try to take con-trol of a situation on which you have a tenu-ous grasp, Virgo. Other things of greater im-portance require your attention.

LIBRA Sept 23/Oct 23Domestic bliss describes your life at this point, Li-bra. You may have wel-comed a new baby or pet into the family, and you are enjoying this new dynamic.

SCORPIO Oct 24/Nov 22Scorpio, even though you may have had to jump over many hurdles of late, you will come through stronger for having done so.

SAGITTARIUS Nov 23/Dec 21A demand for your at-tention reaches a fever pitch, Sagittarius. You may not know what is spurring on this sort of popularity, but you are anxious to enjoy every minute of it.

CAPRICORN Dec 22/Jan 20Big changes are on the horizon, Capricorn. It could be a new job opportunity or maybe a relocation if you have been thinking of making a fresh start.

AQUARIUSJan 21/Feb 18Aquarius, even though you may have to go out on a limb and out of your comfort zone, you may find that doing so gives you the fresh per-spective you’ve been seeking.

PISCESFeb 19/Mar 20Pisces, ask someone to remind you of an important deadline, as you have been a little scatterbrained as of late. Don’t let this pass you by.


TOWN OF WILLIAMSBURGZONING BOARD OF

APPEALSA Public Hearing wil l

be held at 6:00 PM on Wednesday, February 27, 2019 in the Williamsburg Town Offices, 141 Main St., Haydenville, MA to consider the following: The application of Ruth Oland-Stuckey dba Happy Valley Rentals, LLC of 181 Main St., Williamsburg, MA for a Special Permit, as required by Section 12.0e of the Zoning Bylaw of the Town of Williamsburg, to turn a single family home into a two family home on a non-conforming lot at 181 Main Street, Haydenville, MA identified as Assessors Map K 123.

Charles Dudek, ChairmanZoning Board of Appeals

2/07, 2/14/19

GATEWAY REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

PUBLIC HEARINGI n acco rdance w i t h

Chapter 71 Section 38N of the Massachusetts General Law the public hearing for

the 2019-2020 Gateway Regional School District budget wi l l be held in t h e P e r f o r m i n g A r t s Center at the Gateway Reg iona l M idd le /H igh School Complex locat-ed at 12 Littleville Road, H u n t i n g t o n , M A o n Wednesday, March 6, 2019 at 7:00 p.m.

Reference: Massachusetts Newspapers Publ ishers Association website: mass-publicnotices.org2/14/19

LEGAL NOTICE ofPUBLIC MEETING Town of ChesterPlanning Board

The Chester Planning Board will hold a Public M e e t i n g o n Tu e s d a y, February 19, 2019 at 7 p.m. at Chester Town Hall, 15 Middlefield Road, Chester MA.

The hearing is for a Special Permit Application for Hi l l Town Sand and Gravel,475 Route 20 in Chester MA. 2/07, 2/14/19

SILVER SPRING, Md. — Mary Susanne (Brause) Dupuis, 98, died on Thursday, Feb. 7, 2019, at Bedford Court of Silver Spring, Md. She was born Aug. 17, 1920, in Richland County, Ohio, to Lloyd D. and Sallie (Miller) Brause, both deceased.

She was preceded in death by her hus-band, Joseph W. Dupuis Jr., whom she married on April 7, 1948. Also preceding her in death are brothers, Gerald Brause, Daryl Brause and Jack Brause; and sisters, Frances Ross and Phyllis Houk. She is survived by a son, Joseph W. Dupuis III of Becket, and daughters Mary Susanne Emanuelson (John) of Dover, Del., Jane Dupuis of Frederick, Md., Phyllis Drum (Ronald) of Silver Spring, Md.; sister-in-law Marlene Brause of Bucyrus, Ohio; grandsons John B. Emanuelson of Beijing, China, James Emanuelson of Portland, Ore., and Philip Drum of Silver Spring, Md.; and several nieces and nephews.

She graduated from Sulphur Springs High School

in Ohio. She served her country during World War II with the 122 General Hospital in England along with duty at Camp Atterbury, Ind.; Halloran Hospital in New York; and Fitzsimmons General Hospital in Colorado. She attained the rank of captain.

She was the owner of Dupuis Quality Plants and the author of “The Herb Lady’s Cook Book.” She was a member of American Legion Post 207 and a charter member or the Women in Military Service

for America Memorial.She was a longtime member of the First

Congregational Church of West Springfield. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Women in Military Service for America Memorial at Women’s Memorial Foundation, P.O. Box 420560, Washington, DC 20042-0560.

Her funeral service will be at Collins Funeral Home, 500 University Blvd. W., Silver Spring, MD 20901, with and interment at Arlington National Cemetery, at a later date. Turley Publications offers two types of

obituaries.One is a free, brief Death Notice listing

the name of deceased, date of death and funeral date and place.

The other is a Paid Obituary, costing $100, which allows families to publish extended death notice information of their own choice and may include a photograph. Death Notices & Paid Obituaries should be submitted through a funeral home to: [email protected].

Exceptions will be made only when the familyprovides a death certificate and must be pre-paid.

Obituary PolicyCountry Journal

DUPUIS, MARY B. (BRAUSE)Died Feb. 7

Funeral service at a later dateCollins Funeral Home

Silver Spring, Md.

WHITMAN, JENNIFER L.Died Feb. 4

Private servicesFirtion Adams Funeral Home

Westfield

DEATH NOTICES

HOW TO SUBMIT PUBLIC NOTICES

All legal notices to be published in the Country Journal should be sent directly to [email protected]. Jamie Joslyn processes all legals for this newspaper and can answer all of your questions regarding these notices. Please indicate the newspapers and publication date(s) for the notice(s) in the subject line of your email. For questions regarding coverage area, procedures or cost, please call Jamie directly at 413-283-8393.

Please check the accuracy of your legal notice prior to submission (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.

Turley Publications, Inc. publishes 13 weekly newspapers throughout Western Massachusetts. Visit www.turley.com for more information.

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.

OBITUARIES

PUBLIC NOTICES

Mary Dupuis, 98

BLANDFORD — Jennifer L. Whitman, 43, passed away on Feb. 4 at her home in Blandford. She was born in Holyoke on March, 29, 1975, a daughter of the late William and Susan Whitman of Springfield.

Jenny was a compassionate caregiver and mother. Jennifer loved the country life and enjoyed the wonders of nature and all of its beauty.

She leaves her life partner, Kyle Allard and son Dylan Whitman-Allard; her brother, Michael J. Whitman and his spouse Donna (Rogers)

Whitman of York, Maine; her sisters, Lisa (Whitman) Masciadrelli and her spouse Gregory Masciadrelli of Westfield, and Sharon (Whitman) Lussier and her spouse, Andrew Lussier of Montgomery.

Jennifer was buried at a private ser-vice with her family on Saturday, Feb. 9, at St. Mary’s Cemetery. Contributions in her memory may be directed to the Blandford Animal Hospital, Blandford. Arrangements were by Firtion Adams Funeral Home,

Westfield, firtionadams.com.

Jennifer L. Whitman, 43

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ANTIQUE AND PERIOD CHAIRS – Restored with new woven seats – Many styles and weaves available. Call (413)289-6670

HAY FOR SALEQUALITY HAY wrapped bales, 4 x 5 for sale, Worthington, MA. 413-478-0178.

MISCELLANEOUSA PLACE FOR MOM. The nation’s largest senior living referral service. Contact our trusted, local experts to-day! Our service is FREE/no obliga-tion. CALL 1-855-799-4127

DEALING WITH WATER DAM-AGE requires immediate action. Local professionals that respond immediate-ly. Nationwide and 24/7. No Mold Calls. 1-800-506-3367

DO YOU HAVE chronic knee or back pain? If you have insurance, you may qualify for the perfect brace at little to no cost. Get yours today! Call 1-800-217-0504

INVENTORS- FREE INFOR-MATION PACKAGE Have your product idea developed affordably by the Research & Development pros and presented to manufacturers. Call 855-380-5976 for a free idea starter guide. Submit your idea for a free con-sultation.

LIFE ALERT. 24/7. One press of a button sends help FAST! Medical, Fire, Burglar. Even if you can’t reach a phone! FREE brochure. CALL 800-457-1917

MOBILEHELP, AMERICA’S PRE-MIER MOBILE MEDICAL ALERT SYSTEM. Whether you’re Home or Away. For Safety and Peace of Mind. No Long Term Contracts! Free Bro-chure! Call Today! 1-844-892-1017

OXYGEN-ANYTIME. ANY-WHERE. No tanks to refill. No deliv-eries. Only 2.8 pounds! FAA approved! FREE info kit: Call 1-800-732-0442

PROMOTE YOUR PRODUCT, ser-vice or business to 1.7 million house-holds throughout New England. Reach 4 million potential readers quickly and inexpensively with great results. Use the Buy New England Classified Ad Network by calling (413)283-8393, [email protected]. Do they work? You are reading one of our ads now!! Visit our website to see where your ads run communitypapersne.com

SPECTRUM TRIPLE PLAY TV, Internet & Voice for $29.99/ea. 60 MB per second speed. No contract or com-mitment. We buy your existing contract up to $500.! 1-844-592-9018

STAY IN YOUR HOME longer with an American Standard Walk-In Bath-tub. Receive up to $1,500 off, including a free toilet, and a lifetime warranty on the tub and installation! Call us at 1-866-945-3783.

STOP STRUGGLING ON THE STAIRS. Give your life a lift with an ACORN STAIRLIFT! Call now for $250. OFF your stairlift purchase and FREE DVD & brochure! 1-844-286-0854

OLD CARPENTER TOOLS want-ed. Planes, chisels, saws, levels, etc. Call Ken (413)433-2195. Keep your vintage tools working and get MONEY.

WANTED TO BUYWANTED- COSTUME JEWELRY, gold and silver. Please call for more information or text (413)512-3714

****A CALL WE HAULWE TAKE IT ALLWE LOAD IT ALL

Lowest Rates,accumulations, junk, estates,attics, garages, appliances, basements, demo services

10% disc. with this ad.All Major CC’s

CALL NOW (413)[email protected]

ADAM QUENNEVILLE ROOF-ING, SIDING, WINDOWS- Shin-gle, Flat and Metal Roofs, Slate Roof Repairs, Roof and Siding Shampoo Service, Gutter Covers, porches. Life-time Vinyl Siding, Windows, Skylights & Sun Tunnels. Call (413)536-5955

CHAIR SEAT WEAVING & re-finishing - cane, fiber rush & splint - Classroom instructor, 20+ years expe-rience. Call Walt at (413)289-6670 for estimate.

DRYWALL AND CEILINGS, plas-ter repair. Drywall hanging. Taping & complete finishing. All ceiling textures. Fully insured. Jason at Great Walls. (413)563-0487

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

CHILD SERVICES*NEW STATE LAW. Anyone adver-tising caring of children must list a li-cense number to do so if they offer this service in their own home.

GARAGE DOOR SERVICES

MENARD GARAGE DOORS Spe-cializing in the best quality and selec-tion of insulated Haas garage doors. Sales, Installation, service and repairs of residential and commercial garage doors and openers. Fully insured. Free estimates. Call (413)289-6550, (413)626-1978 or www.menardga-ragedoors.com

HOME IMPROVEMENT

DELREO HOME IMPROVEMENT for all your exterior home improve-ment needs. ROOFING, SIDING, WINDOWS, DOORS, DECKS & GUT-TERS. Extensive references available, Fully Licensed & Insured in MA. & CT. Call GARY DELCAMP @ 413-569-3733

INSTRUCTIONTRUCK DRIVERS IN VERY HIGH DEMAND

Driver Need projected to triple!A & B CDL CLASSES + BUS

(413)592-1500UNITED TRACTOR TRAILER

SCHOOLUnitedcdl.com

MASONRY

STOP WET BASEMENTS

ABC MASONRY & BASEMENT WATERPROOFING

All brick, block, stone, concrete. Hatch-way doors, basement windows, chim-neys rebuilt & repaired, foundations repaired, basement waterproofing sys-tems, sump pumps. BBB+ rating. Free estimates. Lic #14790. Call (413)569-1611, (413)374-5377

HORSESHORSEBACK RIDING LESSONS offered year round at our state of the art facility. beginner to advanced. Ages 4 years to adult. Boarding, sales and Leasing also available. Convenient lo-cation at Orion Farm in South Hadley (413)532-9753 www.orionfarm.net

FOR SALE SERVICESFOR SALE SERVICES SERVICES

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

Name: ____________________________________________________ Phone: ______________________

Address: _______________________________________________________________________________

Town: _____________________________________________________ State:_______ Zip:_____________

Number of Weeks: _________________________________________ X per week rate = $______________

Credit Card: ❏ MasterCard ❏ VISA ❏ Discover ❏ Cash ❏ Check# ___________

Card #: ______________________________________________ Exp. Date ___________ CVV __________

Amount of charge: ___________________________________________________Date: _______________

First ZONE base price ___________

Add a second ZONE ___________

Add a third ZONE ___________

Subtotal ___________

x Number of Weeks ___________

TOTAL Enclosed ___________

$10.00$5.00

Quabbin❏

Suburban❏

Hilltowns❏

Run my ad in thefollowing ZONE(s):

Includesadditional words

1 2 3 4

5 6 7 8

9 10 11 12

13 14 15 16

17 18 19 20

21 22 23 24

25 26 27 28

29 30 31 32

33 34 35 36

37 38 39 40

Base Price$9.50

Base Price$10.00

Base Price$10.50

Base Price$11.00

Base Price$11.50

Base Price$12.00

Base Price$12.50

Base Price$13.00

Base Price$13.50

Base Price$14.00

Base Price$14.50

Base Price$15.00

Base Price$15.50

Base Price$16.00

Base Price$16.50

Base Price$17.00

Base Price$17.50

Base Price$18.00

Base Price$18.50

Base Price$19.00

Base Price$19.50

FILL OUT AND MAIL THIS MONEY MAKER

CATEGORY:

DEADLINES: HILLTOWNS – MONDAY AT NOON QUABBIN & SUBURBAN – FRIDAY AT NOON

OUR CLASSIFIEDS REACH 50 COMMUNITIES EVERY WEEK!

HilltownsCirculation: 11,900

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.

PLEASE RECYCLE THIS NEWSPAPER


ClassifiedsA TURLEY PUBLICATION ❙ www.turley.com COMMUNITY MARKETPLACE Call us toll free 800.824.6548

14 WEEKLY NEWSPAPERS ❙ SERVING 50 LO CAL C OMMUNITIES

C.N.A./HHA Want to work for a great company? Colony Care at Home is now hiring caregivers to work in hill-towns, specifically Huntington, Ches-ter, Russell, and Blandford to help our elderly clients remain in their homes. Must have drivers’ license. Flexible schedules. Pick the area you want to work in! Call Debbie at (413)455-1122 to schedule an interview.

FARM WORKERS AND CROP LABORERS Shoreham, Vermont area. 20 temporary workers needed at Champlain Orchards, Inc. to pack apples, perform general orchard work, and harvest various fruits and ber-ries. Contract runs approx. 03/02/19 -12/20/19 Work requires heavy lifting, standing and climbing ladders for long periods of time. Wage is the highest of $13.25/hour or the applicable piece rates depending on crop activity. Pro-duction standards and 1 month expe-rience required. Work is guaranteed for 3/4 of contract period. Tools are provided without cost. Housing provid-ed at no cost to workers who reside outside of 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 577971.

FARM WORKERS AND CROP LABORERS Westminster, Vermont area. 2 temporary workers needed at Allen Brothers, Inc. to plant, culti-vate, and harvest diversified ground crops. Contract runs approx. 02/27/19 to 11/27/19. Requires heavy lifting, standing, bending, kneeling for long periods of time. Guaranteed wage is $13.25/hour. Work is guaranteed for 3/4 of contract period. Tools are pro-vided without cost. Housing provided at no cost to workers who reside out-side of normal commuting distance. Transportation cost reimbursed after 50% of contract period. Contact North Central Career Center, 100 Erdman Way, Leominster, MA 01453 at 978-534-1481 for referral. Job order 579124.

FOSTER CARE.You can help change

someone’s life. Provide a safe home for

children and teens who have been abused or neglected. Classes in

late September. Call Devereux Therapeutic

Foster Care 413-734-2493

SHARED LIVING- SEEKING fam-ilies to share their home with individu-als with developmental disabilities. Call 413-734-2493 for more information.

TOWN OF HUNTINGTON POLICE DEPARTMENT

Part Time Police Officers WantedMinimum qualifications:

1-year experience in law enforcement and have been employed within the

last two years as a sworn officer, must be current with MPTC standards.

MPTC Reserve/Intermittent Academy graduate or equivalent

Current First Responder/CPR certifications

ICS 100,200 NIMS 700 & 800Send resumes and copies of the

certifications to: Huntington Police Department

P.O. Box 446Huntington, Ma. 01050

All resumes must be received by March 11, 2019

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.

VACATION RENTALS

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 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

Classified AdvertisingDEADLINESQUABBIN & SUBURBAN

FRIDAY AT NOON

HILLTOWNSMONDAY AT NOON

Find your dream home or apartment or

list your property here!

Read your local newspaper online at

www.newspapers.turley.com

By Sherrie Keith-Higgins

Good morning, everyone. When this comes out next week, we’ll already have had our snow storm and Valentine’s Day has come and gone. Here’s hoping that everyone had a great day of blessings and love.

The deer are out again this morning in the field and are starting to change colors from winter to spring. They’re so peace-ful and I can’t wait until the babies come and they start frolicking out there. Seems like forever until we get to spring, but that seems to be the way each and every year.

COWBOY SCRAMBLED BREAKFAST HASH

1 lb. bulk hot or mild pork sausageNonstick cooking spray1¼ lb. Yukon gold potatoes (chopped

— about 4 medium)1 8-oz. package sliced white mush-

rooms½ cup chopped onion

1 poblano pepper, seeded and chopped¼ tsp. kosher salt6 eggs2 Tbsp. milk½ cup shredded cheddar cheese or

Monterey Jack cheese with jalapeno½ cup snipped fresh cilantro (optional)Salsa (optional)

1. In skillet, cook sausage over medi-um heat until brown. Drain off fat.

2. Lightly coat slow cooker with cook-ing spray. Add sausage, potatoes, mush-rooms, onion, poblano, salt and pepper to taste.

3. Cover and cook on low heat for 6 to 8 hours or on high-heat setting for 2 to 3 hours or until potatoes are tender.

4. Let eggs stand at room temperature for about 30 minutes. In a bowl, whisk together eggs and milk; pour evenly over mixture in slow cooker. Sprinkle cheese in center of eggs. If using low heat, turn cook-er to high setting. Cover and cook 15-25 minutes or until eggs are set and cheese melted. Add cilantro and serve with salsa. Enjoy!

APPLE-BOURBON COUNTRY STYLE PORK RIBS

4½ to 5 lbs. country-style pork ribs SaltGround black pepper1 cup apple jelly¾ cup bourbon½ cup packed brown sugar½ cup bottled barbecue sauce½ cup cider vinegar½ tsp. dried thyme, crushed3 medium tart cooking apples, peeled,

cored and quartered

1. Season ribs with salt and pepper; place in a 6-quart slow cooker. In a medi-um bowl, whisk together jelly, bourbon, brown sugar, barbecue mixture. Add over ribs in cooker.

2. Cover and cook on low heat setting for 3 hours or on high for 1 ½ hours.

3. Add apples to slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 3 to 4 hours more, or 1½ hours on high, until apples and ribs are tender.

4. Transfer ribs to a serving platter. Strain liquid and serve with ribs. Enjoy!

“The best day Of your life

Is the one on whichYou decide Your life isYour own.

No apologies or excuses.No one to

Lean on, rely on,Or blame.

The gift is yours – It is an

Amazing journey –And you alone

Are responsible forThe quality of it.This is the day

Your lifeReally begins.”(Bob Moawad)

You can write me at P.O Box 34, Worthington, MA 01098, or email me at [email protected].

My Sunflower Teepee


Hadley Schiff, 9, of Williamsburg, enjoys her decorated heart cookie. Photos by Adrianne Johnson

Flourpower

♥ ♥ ♥♥

Eileen Stewart of Williamsburg, one of the Friends of the Meekins Library, passes the sprinkles to Elizabeth, 8, and Katleen Berry, 10, of Haydenville, as they decorate their heart-shaped cookies at the library on Saturday.

Claire, 7, and her brother Luke Picard, 9, of Williamsburg, fill a bottle with flour to make a heart-healthy stress ball during the STEAMCraft Heart and Valentine Party on Feb. 9 at the Meekins Library in Williamsburg.

Daniel, 3, and brother Damian, 7, of Haydenville frost and decorate their heart cookies with help from their father Pawel Pasiut.

Naomi Schmidt, the Kmit Children’s Programming Librarian, instructs the children how to get the balloon over the flour-filled bottle to fill the stress ball.

Oscar Schiff, 11, of Williamsburg, found that filling the ball with flour could get a little messy.

Julia Caputo, 10, of Williamsburg, gets the frosting on her heart cookie just right.

♥ ♥

Purchase a photo from the paper at newspapers.turley.com/

photo-request$12.50 each

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