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The Westfield News Serving Westfield, Southwick, and the surrounding Hilltowns
www.thewestfieldnews.com MONDAY, APRIL 4, 2016
VOL. 85 NO. 80
Five attain the rank of Eagle Scout By AMY PORTER Staff Writer WESTFIELD – Five young men from the Boy Scouts of America Troop 109, St. Mary’s Parish received the rank of Eagle Scout at a court of honor held Sunday at St. Mary’s High School. Attaining the rank of Eagle Scout were Zachary Albano, Alexander Alfano, Christopher Crean, Dominic Fattorini and Liam Kennedy, all eighteen years old. All of them had to choose an Eagle Scout project to complete their requirements for the rank. Albano renovated the courtyard of Sovereign Grace Church in Springfield. Alfano refurbished furniture for DOMUS, the Westfield nonprofit housing developer for their newest house. Crean built a wraparound bench for the courtyard at South Middle School. Fattorini built Stations of the Cross for St. Mary’s Parish, and Kennedy cleaned monuments in Springfield for the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). The ceremony opened with the pledge of allegiance and an invocation by Father Frank Lawlor of St. Mary’s Parish. Then Jeffrey Glaze, president of the Western Mass Council explained that 325 requirements must be completed in order to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout, Assistant Scoutmaster Allyn Hall, Jr. ran down a list of their achievements, which include being an outdoorsman, having first aid training, showing personal and fiscal responsibility, being a good family member, becoming a good citizen and serving the community. “They’ve come a long, long way,” said Troop 109 scoutmaster David Flaherty as he introduced the boys to the friends and family that were present. “You’ll understand in a few years how important this is.” Eagle Scout Nicholas Albano, the brother of Zachary Albano gave the Eagle Charge on video from the Virginia Military Institute, where he will be joined by his brother after graduation. He charged the scouts to display See Eagle Scouts, Page 7
“The ultimate measure of a man ... is where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” — MARTIN LUTHER KING
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Mother of accused hammer attacker speaks out Visitors mingle through the Southwick Town Hall auditorium during the 2012 Annual Southwick Home & Business Show. (WNG File photo)
Southwick Annual Home and Business Show set By HOPE E. TREMBLAY Staff Writer SOUTHWICK – The Southwick Economic Development Commission (EDC) is hosting the fifth annual Home and Business Show April 26. This year the event will be held at Town Hall, 454 College Highway, from 4:30 – 7:00 p.m. The show is presented by the EDC with the Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce, and features Southwick businesses showcasing their products and services to the public. EDC Chairman Michael McMahon said this year, the show was moved to a later time for the convenience of participants. In the past, the show was held during the day, and one year coincided with the annual Cultural Council’s Juried Art Show. “The time should assist area businesses and residents to visit either on the way home from work or after dinner,” said McMahon. Last year, more than 35 businesses and organizations exhibited including both new businesses in town, as well as new exhibitors from long-time businesses in the community. The venue includes free parking and is free and open to the public. “Last year’s show was extremely well-received by both the public and local businesses the exhibited,” said McMahon. Some free food will be available to those that attend. No registration or fee is required from the public. Southwick based businesses that want to exhibit at the table top event need to register by Monday, April 11. For more information and a registration form visit southwickma.info
Autism mom grateful to Big Y for help By HOPE E. TREMBLAY Staff Writer CHESTERFIELD – Allison Records says she is just a mom doing what she needs to for her children. Others might say she is an inspiration. The Chesterfield resident has two daughters, both with special needs, and both impacted in very different ways. Her older daughter,Michelle, is more mildly affected. Smart as a whip and sensory sensitive, Michelle is a fourth-grader who most days struggles with the typical tween angst, with the added twist that often comes with a narrow focus of interests and a penchant for correcting others. Alexandra is four. A happy preschooler. Lover of unicorns. And more severely affected by autism. Alexandra also has a slew of gastrointenstinal issues that started from day one. Her challenges include ASD, sensory processing disorder, intestinal malrotation, GERD, chronic constipation, epilepsy, asthma, sleep disorders, and dermatographia. One of the biggest challenges for Alexandra is eating. She simply doesn’t eat very often. “The one thing she seemed to like that was nutritious was Gerber Stage 3 Chicken Noodle Dinner,” said Records. Once she realized Alexandra could get the nutrition she needed in this one jar, Records went about trying to stock up but she found empty shelves pretty much everywhere. “I went to Stop & Shop, Big Y, Target, Walmart – everywhere in western Mass.,” she said. When she found a few jars at the Northampton Big Y, she asked Manager Jeanne Prest if she happened to have any in the stockroom and explained why she wanted – needed – it so desperately. Prest listened to Records and reacted as a mom. “She was nice and not patronizing,” said Records. “They went out back and pulled everything they had, which was 16 jars.” Prest then emailed her boss to see if they could get more. “I got a call later that night that they had emailed all the
Allison Records and her daughter are all smiles in this photo. Records is grateful to Big Y for going above and beyond to help her autistic daughter. other stores and they pulled every jar from every Big Y,” Records said. “I was blown away by their kindness.” When Records went to Big Y to pick up the jars, she found out Gerber was changing the label and the texture – both would cause a major meltdown from Alexandra since familiar textures and routines are comforting to people with ASD. Big Y’s distributor gave her a full case. That was enough to restore Records’ faith in humanity. See Autism Mom, Page 5
By AMY PORTER Correspondent WESTFIELD – Shirley Hinds, mother of defendant Adrian B. Hinds, said after court on Thursday that the news reports have gotten it wrong. “He’s not a criminal, and I’m not a criminal,” she said. Adrian Hinds, 25, is charged with attacking his neighbors and their dog with a hammer on the morning of March 23 at Southwood Acres, located at 342 Southwick Road, where he and the victims lived. He faces two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon with serious bodily injury, two counts of armed assault to murder and one charge of animal cruelty, according to court logs. He has been See Hinds, Page 3
Winds wreak havoc on trees and wires By CHRISTINE CHARNOSKY Staff Writer WESTFIELD – Motorists were dodging debris and the police were working overtime as April came in like a lion on Sunday. Residents woke to a few inches of spring snow Sunday morning, which caused some whiteout conditions around the predawn hour. Then the winds kicked in. Then the calls starting See Wind, Page 3
Westfield State English professor earns title WESTFIELD – Westfield resident and Westfield State University Professor Dr. Glen Brewster was named vice president/president elect of Sigma Tau Delta, the international English Honor Society. Sigma Tau Delta, International English Honor Society, was founded in 1924. According to its official website, the society strives to confer distinction for high achievement in English language and literature in undergraduate, graduate, and professional studies. The organization has more than 875 active chapters, more than 1,000 faculty sponsors, and approximately 9,000 members inducted annually. Brewster started teaching at Westfield State University in 1996 and co-founded a chapter of Alpha Sigma in 1998 with Dr. Stephen Adams. Brewster is a professor of English and since 2011, he has served as director of the Honors Program. He serves as faculty advisor to Westfield State’s chapter of Sigma Tau Delta with Dr. Elizabeth Starr. He earned his B.A. in English and philosophy and his M.A. in English from the University of Tennessee and his Ph.D. in English from Duke University. Westfield State University’s chapter of Sigma Tau Delta is very active. Student members attend the annual Sigma Tau Delta convention each year and many present their creative and academic work. The chapter meets weekly and holds fundraisers throughout the year to supplement the cost to travel to the convention. See Professor, Page 3