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WEATHER TONIGHT Showers early. Low of 51.
The Westfield News Serving Westfield, Southwick, and the surrounding Hilltowns
www.thewestfieldnews.com VOL. 85 NO. 233
The Westfield News will run its masthead in pink, in recognition of October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
75 cents
MONDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2016
Home Fire Campaign expected to help seniors with fire safety By GREG FITZPATRICK Correspondent SOUTHWICK – The American Red Cross Home Fire Campaign is hosting a one-day smoke detector program on October 29. The event will start at 8:30 a.m. and be held at the Southwick Fire Department. The American Red Cross has teamed up with the Southwick Fire Department and the Southwick Council on Aging as they will help install smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms. There are guidelines to the program as you have to own your own home, had to be built before 1975, and the current alarm that the homeowner has, needs to be at least 10 years old or not exist-
ing at all. According to Council on Aging Director Cindy Sullivan, 25 seniors have signed up for the program and the numbers are expected to grow. “I think it’s a good number,” said Sullivan. “We’re still taking names.” As there will be three groups each going out to a different region of the town, a firefighter will also be available to educate the homeowners about fire safety and preparing for a potential fire. The groups will start installing the smoke alarms at 9 a.m. and will continue the installations until 2 p.m. With the American Red Cross providing all of the tools as it is their initiative, American Red
Cross Disaster Program Manager, Mary Nathan, stressed the importance of the program. “It’s a national Red Cross initiative with the goal of trying to reduce the number of deaths and injuries by 25% over a five-year period,” said Nathan. In order to help reduce the number of deaths and injuries, providing the tools and continuing the program gives the American Red Cross a big step forward. “The alarms will save lives,” said Nathan. “We’re always trying to help people to prevent fires to start with.” As long as a senior in the town of Southwick meets the guidelines, it is highly encouraged for
Granville Harvest Fair a feast for one’s senses By LORI SZEPELAK Correspondent GRANVILLE — As the leaves start to turn color and there is crispness in the air, the feeling of fall is also captured as townspeople host the annual Granville Harvest Fair during the Columbus Day weekend. “I’ve lived in town all of my life and this event brings together friends and neighbors to celebrate the fall foliage season with visitors,” said Linda Blakesley, one of many collaborators who ensure that visitors will enjoy their time visiting the idyllic town. Blakesley is joined by volunteers including Ann LeClair, Carol Jones, Karen McLaughlin, Jane Canfield and Meg Putnam who are working behind the scenes at several venues including the Old Meeting House, Drum Shop Museum, Town Green, Granville Federated Church, and the Village School. Also, Gloria Knoener, Isabelle Lacrosse and Karen J. Carpenter have been instrumental in encouraging participation for children, teens and adults in the scarecrow contest. During an interview at the quaint Granville Country Store, Blakesley said there is something for every member of the family at the fair. Now in its 35th year, the harvest fair is planned Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday from noon to 5 p.m., and Monday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. “Shuttle buses will take visitors to each site and there is parking available at several sites including the Village School, Town Hall, and Verizon building,” said Blakesley, adding that at some of these See Granville Harvest Fair, Page 3
By DAN DESROCHERS Correspondent WESTFIELD–There have been a lot of suggestions over the past few months on how to make Westfield greener, but one option has withstood the test of politics and made an impact–solar energy. Since the first solar energy facility was opened in Westfield by Citizens Energy in 2014, the city has seen interest in the resource grow. Recently, ConEdison became another part of solar energy production after opening a 10-acre array field on Russellville Road, and local businesses have also shown interest and pursued plans for solar energy on their own land. This increase in solar energy has meant that the city’s energy source has not only diversified, but has become greener. In fact, according to Westfield Gas and Electric’s general manager Dan Howard, the alternative energy produced in the city is almost as much as a fifth of Westfield’s supply on certain days. “With the new array, we’re in the vicinity of close to 10 percent on a good day and probably another 5 to 8 percent from other renewable energy,” Howard said. Overall, Howard said that between ConEdison’s Russellville Road and Citizens Energy’s Twiss Street facilities there is a total of four megawatts of power produced. This total is about 8 percent of the overall See Solar, Page 3
Writers to share their stories at Author Fair The Granville Federated Church will be among the sites to host the Granville Harvest Fair during the Columbus Day weekend. Pastor Patrick McMahon and Linda Blakesley are among those coordinating logistics for the annual event.
her aunts which also should continue. Hailey’s social worker is open to exploring different family types for Hailey but she will need to be placed with a family with no children or significantly older children who could serve as role models. Hailey looks forward to having a family where she is able to do fun things and be adventurous! She is very artistic and would do well in a family that has similar interests. Who are the Children Waiting for Adoption? There are approximately 2,400 children in Massachusetts foster care with the goal of adoption. Through no fault of their own, they cannot be raised by their birthparents. Many will be adopted by a relative or foster parent, but more than 600 have no one to adopt them yet. These waiting children are usually older, or sibling groups who belong together, children of color of all ages, and children with
intellectual, physical or emotional difficulties or disabilities. These children have experienced many losses and changes in their lives, and need patient and dependable adoptive parents who can help them grow and thrive in their new HAILEY family. Free post-adoption support services are available to help. To learn more about Hailey, and about adoption from foster care, call the Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange (MARE) at 617-54-ADOPT (617-542-3678) or visit www.mareinc.org. The sooner you call, the sooner a waiting child will have “a permanent place to call HOME.”
WESTFIELD — Joyce Peregrin and Jessica Martin are teaming up as “partners in literacy” as they host a Local Author Fair Oct. 6 on the Westfield Athenaeum’s lawn on Court Street. Peregrin, public services librarian at the Athenaeum, and Martin, co-owner of Blue Umbrella Books on Main Street (formerly BookClub Bookstore & More), share a love of reading and their first collaboration is one that is close to their hearts. “To celebrate the last day of the Westfield Farmers’ Market but not the last day of fun in the downtown area, we wanted to bring together several talented local authors to discuss their books and careers with people who love to read,” said Peregrin. Martin echoed those sentiments. “With the cooler temperatures coming, there is something special about having a cup of coffee, tea or hot chocolate and curling up with a good book,” said Martin. Both women have been avid readers since their youth, and through their own careers, have shared their love for books with others. “I grew up in Concord and remember visiting
WESTFIELD HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM THURSDAY NOVEMBER 10 7:30 PM The National Touring production of Beatlemania Live In Concert. The complete Beatle’s Experience from Songs to Authentic Costumes and Vintage Instruments. From The Early Beatles to Abbey Road and beyond. A Must See Show! Visit the Band at www.beatlemaniastageshow.com. Tickets at Purplepass.com, Rocky’s Ace Hardware, The Press Room Sponsored By:
them to sign up for the program on Oct. 29.
Here comes the solar
Sunday’s Child: Hailey Hailey is a happy and artistic 8-year-old Caucasian girl. She enjoys trying new things and loves being outside especially if she can be by the ocean. Hailey is in the third grade and receives support through an Individualized Educational Plan (IEP). Hailey benefits from structure and does well with 1:1 attention. She has made tremendous progress over the last year, including but not limited to, identifying words to describe how she is feeling. Hailey will need a family that is able to support her current therapeutic work. Hailey enjoys doing “girly” things such as shopping. She also is very creative and recently enjoyed an activity where she had to think of what her superpowers would be. Hailey will need to have post adoption visits with some of her birth family members. She also has a supportive relationship with
CINDY SULLIVAN
See Author Fair, Page 8