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The Westfield News Serving Westfield, Southwick, and the surrounding Hilltowns
“What the world
really needs is more love and less paper work.” — PEARL BAILEY
www.thewestfieldnews.com
VOL. 85 NO. 292
75 cents
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2016
Group tours floating boardwalk
Westfield High School National Honor Society advisors and officers (L-R) Co-advisors Karen Detloff and Stephanie Desmond, secretary Anoushka Sharma, treasurer Andrew Cameron, president Miranda Boudreau, vice president Katie Knapik, and historian Liz Poteat. (Submitted photo)
By GREG FITZPATRICK Correspondent SOUTHWICK – A group of people gathered in Southwick on Thursday morning to tour the new floating boardwalk on the Metacomet-Monadnock Trail off Rising Corner Rd. The entire property of this section of the trail is owned by the town while Kestrel Trust owns the conservation restriction for the trail. The floating boardwalk rests in the middle of the swamped area of the trail and spans 240 feet. According to Michael Zloger, who is the volunteer trail crew leader for the Appalachian Mountain Club, the work on the floating boardwalk started just before Labor Day. Volunteers from the Appalachian Mountain Club along with other volunteers were able to complete the work of the boardwalk in the last few weeks. The process for replacing the floating boardwalk began much earlier than this past September. About 20 years ago, a developer wanted to buy the property which encompassed the trail, but learned the land wasn’t conducive enough to See Floating Boardwalk, Page 5
National Honor Society service projects reflect students’ passions By AMY PORTER Correspondent WESTFIELD – The Westfield High School National Honor Society held their monthly meeting on Thursday in the auditorium, to go over some of the many activities planned in the coming months. The NHS “e-board,” comprised of president Miranda Boudreau, vice president Katie Knapik, treasurer Andrew Cameron, historian Liz Poteat and secretary Anoushka Sharma took turns updating the 130 members on dates, protocol and responsibilities of members. More than half of the juniors and seniors present, 73, were newly inducted into the society in a formal ceremony on November 9. The National Honor Society is a nationally accredited organization, stressing scholarship, service, leadership and character. In order to qualify for membership, students must achieve the grade point average requirement at their school (which nationally must be a minimum of 85 or higher). For WHS seniors (Class of 2017), the GPA required is 88. For juniors (2018) and going forward, the requirement is 92. Students who are inducted take a pledge to uphold the NHS constitution. They also must earn points through service projects. In November and December, for example, students must earn 14 points, which amounts to 14 hours of service. Students must also be signed off at events that they attend. According to NHS co-advisors Stephanie Desmond and Karen Detloff, the students take the lead in terms of activities and responsibilities. “Our plan is to make it more than just a (literal) stamp on the diploma. We want them to take the initiative, and have the experiences,” said Detloff. One of the ways students are encouraged to take the lead is in community service projects. Students select the projects themselves that they want to support. “We want to make sure we’re provid-
Several members of local organizations were present to represent their efforts with the new floating boardwalk. (Photo by Greg Fitzpatrick)
Commission reveals interviews finalists
Delta Krav Maga of East Longmeadow recently held a self-defense class for NHS members at the school. (Photo submitted) ing an environment where students can do what they’re passionate about,” said Sharma. For example, after a visit to Mumbai, India in the summer, she asked NHS members to raise money for the Chaiim Foundation, a non-profit organization helping survivors of human trafficking. Sharma said they will be raising money all year for the project, through bake sales and other fundraisers. For the month of December, Poteat is organizing a drive for the Bethlehem House Pregnancy Care Center in Easthampton, a non-profit, faith-based organization that provides confidential services to pregnant women and men in need. She asked students at the meeting on Thursday to bring in their items, such as baby bottles, baby towels, diapers, gently used car seats and strollers to the school by Dec. 21. Boudreau organizes collections for the Westfield Food Pantry, as well as the volunteers who help serve meals every other month. Knapik’s project is a tutoring program at Westfield High School, where she matches up students with NHS peer tutors. The program has been around for a few years, but she has changed the structure. Morgan and Alexis Shia connected NHS with Delta Krav Maga in East
Longmeadow, who came and taught a free self-defense class to NHS members last month. Krav Maga is a hand-tohand combat system originally developed for the Israeli military. Students learned to defend themselves against attacks such as punches, chokes, bear hugs, head locks, and grabs. Knapik said another student, Libby Irwin, whose brother is in Afghanistan organized a drive for the troops. The National Honor Society is not all about work, however. One of the perks of being a member is access to the NHS room, which has couches, video games, a microwave and refrigerator. “It’s a privilege for us kids,” said Boudreau. She said another perk is that any NHS member who has a car can leave the building during lunch or during study periods. At the meeting, she reminded members that they need permission sheets filled out by parents in order to utilize that option. The biggest perks, said co-advisor Detloff, are the scholarships available to NHS students both locally and through the national organization. The next induction will take place in the spring for juniors. Until then, NHS students will be hard at work at their school and throughout the community.
By DAN DESROCHERS Correspondent WESTFIELD–The Barnes Regional Airport Commission has officially named and interviewed the two finalists for the vacant airport manager position. Marcelo F. Lima and Robert F. Snuck are the two finalists for the position that was vacated by Brian Barnes earlier this year. The two candidates were interviewed separately in public interviews with the commission and representatives from the Westfield personnel department. Lima was interviewed on Nov. 28 and Snuck on Dec. 1. The commission is expected to reach a decision on Dec. 19. The position has been temporarily filled by Lee Lancaster, who has been provided by AvPORTS, a US-based airport management company. Lancaster is leaving the position Dec. 7, but AvPORTS is expected to provide another fill-in manager until a permanent option is chosen. Both Lima and Snuck come to the position offering several years of airport management-related experience. Lima, who comes from Birmingham, Alabama, has previous experience working in airport financial and planning sectors. Lima served as a financial project manager and an airport planner at the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport from 2012 to the present, and served in operations and planning at Charlotte Douglas International Airport in North Carolina from 2005 to 2012. For Snuck, he most recently managed Pittsfield Municipal See Finalists, Page 5
Marcelo Lima is interviewed by the commission.
Ballroom Social ideal for all dance levels By LORI SZEPELAK Correspondent WESTFIELD Longtime city resident Gary Francis enjoys bringing people together – on the dance floor. Francis, a member of the Westfield Elks Lodge on Franklin Street, hosts a monthly Ballroom Social at the lodge that is open to all across the region. “The social also attracts people from different areas of the state as well as from Connecticut,” said Francis, noting that average attendance for an evening can be upward of 60 people. The next Ballroom Social is slated Dec. 9 from 7 to 10:30 p.m. and those attending are asked to park in the lot on Washington Street.
“The social is not a formal event,” he said, adding that attire ranges from “casual to dressup.” When one thinks of ballroom dancing, waltzes can immediately come to mind, however, Francis said this event is a bit different. “Dancers can expect to hear music from the Big Band era, as well as oldies tunes from the 50’s and 60’s, classic rock from the 70’s and 80’s, and current tracks including country music,” said Francis, adding he also spins the tunes as the DJ. Francis said the large wooden dance floor in the Elks Lodge is always the main attraction because there is ample room for everyone – especially during line dances. “The Ballroom Social attracts individuals of
all ages and all dance levels,” said Francis, stressing the atmosphere is “not competitive.” Individuals range in age from their 20’s to their 70’s, according to Francis, who also enjoys taking a turn on the dance floor while songs are playing. “My favorite song to dance to is ‘The Hustle’ but I also enjoy a smooth waltz,” he added. Francis said he enjoys the camaraderie of those attending as well as their openness to help others on a dance step. “Our social is not intimidating,” he said. “Our casual style suits a wide variety of dance levels.” Francis noted that in addition to the dancing, participants also enjoy getting to know
others who share the same passion for dance. “Many dancers also enjoy the time to sit and chat with others,” he said. The cost for the social is $12 per person and individuals are welcome to bring their own snacks for the evening affair. A cash bar is provided so beverages cannot be brought in. For more details on the social, now in its third year, contact Francis at (413) 562-1346. Ballroom Socials are offered monthly from November through May and upcoming events are slated Jan. 20 and Feb. 17. “There is a great family of people who come out for the socials,” said Francis, adding “We welcome dancers at all levels who wish to enjoy dances from waltzes and line dancing to everything in between.”