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WEATHER TONIGHT Partly cloudy. Low of 60.
The Westfield News Serving Westfield, Southwick, and the surrounding Hilltowns
“A great truth is a truth whose opposite is also a truth.” — THOMAS MANN
www.thewestfieldnews.com VOL. 84 NO. 240
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2015
Ponders Hollow plan in process
Autism Walk draws crowds, raises funds and awareness By HOPE E. TREMBLAY Staff Writer WESTFIELD – The 13th Annual Western New England Walk Now For Autism Speaks had more than 1,300 participants and reached more than $100,000 in donations Saturday. The walk, held at Stanley Park, was about more than just fundraising. The walk was a way for the Austism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) community to come together.
Carleigh Matthew of Westfield plays in a sensory table at the annual Western New England Walk Now For Autism Speaks Sept. 26 at Stanley Park.
Volunteers from Westfield State University helped paint faces in the kids' tent. (Photo by Hope E. Tremblay) Autism Speaks New England Chapter Director Russ Kenn thanked the crowd and said being there meant more than just coming together for one event. “As so many of you already know, what we do here on this one day has a huge impact the other 364 days of the year as Autism Speaks staff and our volunteer leaders work to raise awareness, support families and advocate for better laws and policy in Massachusetts; and to fund scientific research across the world,” said Kenn. “So thank YOU. You make the future better for those who are impacted by autism.” Returning team Jesse James and the Outlaw Walkers, of Westfield, cut the walk start banner as the team that raised the most money by walk day, and team Third Time’s The Charm served as walk marshals as the top new team. Home Depot returned to the walk for the second year and held its popular kids’ workshop at the park. Everyone enjoyed apple cider made fresh at the walk with apples donated by Ray’s Farm and the West Parish Orchard. Student volunteers painted faces and helped run a tent full of sensory games, and a resource fair offered families information on ASD and what services are provided locally. WWLP 22News Meteorologist Adam Strzempko served as Master of Ceremonies for the event and DJ Tony Pluta kept the dance party going on the center stage. ASD and autism are both general terms for a group of complex disorders of brain development. These disorders are char
(Photo by Hope E. Tremblay)
See Autism Walk, Page 8
Saint Mary’s students see Pope Francis in D.C. By LORI SZEPELAK Correspondent WESTFIELD – For several students at Saint Mary High School, a whirlwind trip to Washington, D.C. last week was a once-in-alifetime chance to see history close-up. Congressman Richard E. Neal, (D-Mass.), had made arrangements for 26 students and four teachers within the Springfield Diocese to view the historic address of Pope Francis to a joint meeting of Congress on Thursday morning. Students from Saint Mary’s included Alexis Shedd and Emmalina Toma, both sophomores, and Drew Collins and Will Lucardi, both juniors, along with theology teacher Carol Lisella. Students from Cathedral High School in Wilbraham, St. Joseph Central High School in Pittsfield, and Holyoke Catholic High School in Chicopee also participated in the trip which included reserved seats on the lawn of the Capitol. The students left the Springfield area on a Peter Pan bus on Wednesday at 10 p.m. and arrived in Washington, D.C. at 5:30 a.m. on Thursday. See Pope Francis, Page 3
75 cents
By DAN MORIARTY Staff Writer WESTFIELD – City officials will begin to conduct public hearings next spring to determine the future use of the Ponders Hollow property recently transferred to the control of the city’s Park & Recreation Commission. Mayor Daniel M. Knapik said this morning that a requirement of the National Park Service approval of the land transfer is that the city, during the next three years, perform a “community-wide needs assessment for recreational facilities. “The Park & Recreation Commission and the Community Development Department will begin to hold public hearing, probably next spring, to determine the future recreational use of that property,” Knapik said. Knapik said that any future use will include “amenities” to support that use. “There would be infrastructure improvements, sidewalks, parking, upgrading the roadway to make is accessible as possible,” Knapik said. The city, which owns about 25 percent of the Little River See Ponders Hollow, Page 8
WFD ‘smoke eater’ retires after nearly 40 years of service By CHRISTINE CHARNOSKY Staff Writer WESTFIELD – When trying to sit down to interview Westfield Fire Deputy Chief Patrick Kane during his last day on the job Friday, it became abundantly clear how he spent the past 39-plus years of his life. He responded to two calls–a student trapped in an elevator at Westfield State University and to a lock-out– within a short period of time Friday morning not to mention tending to See Kane, Page 8
PATRICK KANE
New bridge dedicated at Stanley Park
Saint Mary High School students Drew Collins, Alexis Shedd, Emmalina Toma and Will Lucardi join theology teacher Carol Lisella on the lawn of the Capitol to hear Pope Francis speak during a joint meeting of Congress on Thursday. (Submitted photo)
By AMY PORTER Correspondent WESTFIELD – A ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony was held on Saturday for the Anderson Bridge in the Frank Stanley Beveridge Wildlife Sanctuary in Stanley Park. Thanks to a generous donation by the Anderson family and public support of the fundraising effort, a first removable floating dock bridge has been installed at the site of the former damaged bridge. This is now accessible from the boardwalk area. Amy Anderson, the daughter of Doug Anderson, said the family grew up on Overlook Drive near the park. She said being outside was very special to her Dad. “It was his religion, his spirituality,” she said, adding that he spent a lot of time cross country skiing and playing tennis in the park. Amy said it was her sister Julie’s idea to sponsor the bridge, which she called “a lovely way to honor him.” She
See New Bridge, Page 8
Rachel’s Challenge made to city parents
WWLP
Car crash blamed on texting and driving SOUTHWICK (WWLP) – A 21 year old woman is lucky to be alive after crashing her car into a tree. Southwick Police Officer Thomas Krutka said the woman was texting while driving. She was driving on Granville Road Saturday night at around 10:30 when she drove right off the road, yanked the wheel, crossed into the opposite lane, went off the road again and hit a tree. She was taken to Baystate Noble Hospital with serious injuries but is expected to live.
By AMY PORTER Correspondent WESTFIELD – On Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at Westfield Technical Academy, the Westfield Police Department and the Westfield School Department will hold a community presentation of Rachel’s Challenge, a character-building and anti-bullying program being presented to grades 6-12. The program is based on the life and writings of Rachel Joy Scott, who was the first student killed at Columbine High School in April of 1999. According to the website at www. rachelschallenge.org, Rachel’s Challenge includes a series of student empowering, educator motivating programs and strategies that equips students and adults to create and sustain safe, caring and supportive learning environments essential for academic achievement. Rachel left a legacy of reaching out to those who were different, who were picked on by others, or who were new at her school. Shortly See Challenge, Page 3
Rachel’s Challenge is based on the life and writing of Rachel Joy Scott, the first student killed at Columbine High School in April of 1999. Photo: www.rachelschalleng.com