Search for The Westfield News
WEATHER TONIGHT Snow late. Low of 31.
The Westfield News Serving Westfield, Southwick, and the surrounding Hilltowns
www.thewestfieldnews.com
75 cents
City teen charged after holding underage parties
Books galore, and more, at annual book sale
See Book Sale, Page 7
— AGNES DE MILLE
SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 2016
VOL. 85 NO. 79
By LORI SZEPELAK Staff Writer WESTFIELD-“The Room of Curiosities” is a new feature at the Friends of the Westfield Athenaeum’s annual book sale which organizers hope will help the group set a record of raising $10,000. “New this season is a collection of antique and collectible prints and posters, 19th and early 20th century maps of western Massachusetts towns, old postcards, photographs and ephemera and lots of vinyl records and audio cassettes,” said Bill Westerlind of the Friends group. “This room will feel like a treasure hunt.” Westerlind said that prices on the collectibles will vary based on condition and availability. The 20th annual spring book sale is the Friends’ largest fundraising event and proceeds raised support free programs and services offered by the Athenaeum that are not funded by the library’s regular operating budget. “The summer reading programs, for example, fully funded by the Friends group, serve over 1,000 children and hundreds of adults in Westfield and the surrounding communities,” said Westerlind. “This program would not be available if not for the fundraising efforts of the Friends. We love our library and are passionate about supporting all it has to offer our community.”
“Living is a form of not being sure ...The moment you know how, you begin to die a little.”
PHOTO BY KELLIE ADAM
‘The Music Man’ comes to Southwick By HOPE E. TREMBLAY Staff Writer SOUTHWICK – The Southwick Regional School’s production of the classic The Music Man will take the stage this weekend. Performances are April 1 at 7 p.m., April 2 at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m., and April 3 at 1 p.m. Tickets are available at the door for $9 for adults, $7 for students and seniors, and $5 for children 12 and under. Janet Grunwald, drama club producer at SRS, said The Music Man was an easy choice. “It’s a classic,” she said. “Everyone knows the songs.” There are also a lot of parts, which was important because the SRS Class of 2016 is one of the largest classes in recent history and there are many seniors participating in the show. “We have a cast of 35 and about that many in the crew as well,” said Grunwald. The Music Man plot concerns con man Harold Hill, who poses as a boys’ band organizer and leader and sells band instruments and uniforms to the
naive Iowa townsfolk, promising to train the members of the new band. But Harold is no musician and plans to skip town without giving any music lessons. Prim librarian and piano teacher Marian sees through him, but when Harold helps her younger brother overcome his lisp and social awkwardness, Marian begins to fall in love. Harold risks being caught to win her. In 1957, the show became a hit on Broadway, winning five Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and running for 1,375 performances. The cast album won the first Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album and spent 245 weeks on the Billboard charts. The show’s success led to revivals, including a long-running 2000 Broadway revival, a popular 1962 film adaptation and a 2003 television remake. It is frequently produced by both professional and amateur theater companies. SRS Senior Jacob Blumenthal stars in the role of Harold. And he loves being the con artist, but says he is not trouble with a capital T. See Music Man, Page 7
By CHRISTINE CHARNOSKY Staff Writer WESTFIELD – A city teenager was charged with keeping a noisy and disorderly house, among other charges. Police were called to 126 Union Street, Building 10, Apartment 8 around 9:15 p.m. on November 28 after a mother reported that her 15-year-old daughter was at the residence drinking. There had already been nearly half a dozen visits to this apartment dating back to May, 2014, for underage drinking parties hosted by 19-year-old Isaiah Headley. On November 28, Westfield Police Officer Brendan Irujo received no answer at the apartment, so he identified himself as a police officer and entered through the open door to check on the well-being of the caller’s daughter, according to court records. Officers found three female teens who “showed obvious signs of being under the influence of alcoholic beverages,” Irujo wrote in his report. “One underage female (15 year old) was so intoxicated that she had vomited on herself and was found hiding in a closet,” Irujo wrote. “She had to be transported to the hospital for treatment.” Two of the teens identified Headley as the one hosting the party and providing the alcohol. The defendant had fled before police had arrived on scene. While the officers were there, neighbors approached them to express concern and agitation about the ongoing noise and disturbances coming from Headley’s apartment, according to court records. Police had responded to calls on May 25, 2014, January 1, July 5, October 21 and November 15, 2015 when Headley was issued a city ordinance violation for a nuisance house and See Teen Charged, Page 7
WESTFIELD FIRE DEPT. PARAMEDICS
Drug related medical calls WESTFIELD — From Friday, March 25 to Friday, April 1, the Westfield Fire Dept paramedics responded to the following drug related medical calls: 3 POSSIBLE OVERDOSES 3 PATIENTS GIVEN NARCAN 0 DEATHS
‘Anything Goes’ reprised at the Westfield Theatre Group By AMY PORTER Correspondent WESTFIELD – The Westfield Theatre Group’s production of “Anything Goes” at the Westfield Women’s Club on 28 Court Street opened Friday night, and will run through Saturday, April 16. The musical comedy features some of the great classics by Cole Porter, including the title song, “You’re the Top,” “It’s Delovely,” “I Get a Kick Out of You,” and “Let’s Misbehave.” For the Westfield Theatre Group, it’s a reprise of the show which they last performed in 1993. Some of the former players are back, including Rock Palmer of Westfield, who is reprising the role of “Moonie.” Palmer said he is “double thrilled” that his wife Carol is also featured in the play as Mrs. Harcourt. Producer Shelley Haber of Westfield was also involved in the first production, and is thrilled to be “at the helm” again this year. Haber is celebrating 25 years with the theater group this season. Another reprise of sorts was serendipitous. Nineteen-year-old Caitlin Odell, a sophomore at Westfield State University heard about the show from family friend, artistic director Drew Gilbert. Odell auditioned and got the part of Chastity, the angel. When she went home and told her mother Jackie Odell about it, she discovered Jackie had played the part of Virtue the angel in the first production 23 years ago, when she was Caitlin’s age. “I lived in Westfield growing up. This was my home away from home,” Jackie Odell said. For Caitlin Odell, who has danced and performed all her life with the Hackworth School See Anything Goes, Page 7
Throwing a cigarette from a vehicle can result in loss of license
Artistic director Drew Gifford, center, with Jackie Odell and Caitlin Odell on the set of "Antything Goes," which opens tonight at the Westfield Theatre Group. Caitlin, 19, plays "Chastity," the angel. Her mother Jackie, a Westfield native, also appeared as an angel in the play 23 years ago. (Photo by Amy Porter)
By CHRISTINE CHARNOSKY Staff Writer SOUTHWICK – After a Westfield driver’s loud exhaust caught the attention of police, she was charged with multiple offenses including littering. Susan A. Bulewich, 23, of 77A S. Maple Street, Westfield, was pulled over by Southwick police at approximately 2:15 p.m. Wednesday on Congamond Road. “The vehicle’s exhaust was extremely loud . . . indicative of a hole in the system,” according to court records. As Southwick Patrolman Michael Taggart stopped Bulewich’s vehicle, he witnessed her throw a lit cigarette out the window. When Taggart ran the standard vehicle checks, he found the registration “revoked for lack of insurance” and her license was suspended for a warrant. There was also a warrant for a failure to appear in court, according to court records. Bulewich was released on her personal recognizance in Westfield District Court Thursday after being arraigned on charges of operating a motor vehicle with license suspended, operating motor vehicle with registration suspended, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, miscellaneous motor vehicle equipment violation (defective equipment–the exhaust) and littering from motor vehicle (the lit cigarette). For the littering offense Taggart cited Massachusetts General Law Chapter 90, Section 22G called “Littering; suspension of license,” which includes the registrar being able to suspend a operator’s license for a period of seven days or less for anyone who litters, according to malegislature.gov See License, Page 7