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The Westfield News Serving Westfield, Southwick, and the surrounding Hilltowns
“I am never
afraid of what I know.” — ANNA SEWELL
www.thewestfieldnews.com VOL. 85 NO. 124
75 cents
THURSDAY, MAY 26, 2016
Among the Gateway retirees celebrated Wednesday were (left to right) Donna Cranson, Joanne Blocker, Karen Chaffee and Sue Bloomrose.
Artists seeking artists for art, maybe more By DAN DESROCHERS Correspondent WESTFIELD — ArtWorks | Center City Westfield, a local group centered around art in the city is seeking artists and volunteers for upcoming shows and events. ArtWorks | Center City Westfield, a local group of artists and volunteers whose passion involves culture in Westfield, had a meeting at the Athenaeum yesterday to discuss the future of the group and what they are seeking from volunteers, artists and venues. The group had its inaugural event at the end of April. “There’s a lot of cool things happening in this area, and especially in this metro area, so it’s a great time for artists,” Bill Westerlind, self-described organizer and marketing director for ArtWorks, said. Westerlind described ArtWorks as a “collection of artists and citizens interested in arts and culture that are looking to expand arts and business.” According to Westerlind, the group is looking into how they can “market events and help them happen more often,” which he said would help businesses in the area. And the profit is there, as ArtWorks reported a net gain of just over $1,000 from their inaugural event. They also said they only had three weeks of marketing time to get the word out. The group stressed that they are not just looking for artists and those who know art, though. “We’re open to everybody and anyone can join us–we’ll always be looking for volunteers,” Westerlind said. Andrew Surprise, Westfield city councilor and ArtWorks member, added, “if you don’t want to be a part of the formal structure you can always partake in single events.” The group does not currently have a new event scheduled but is in the process. For more information and to reach the group, you can message them on Facebook, and make sure to like them, too. And make sure to “like” The Westfield News on Facebook to find more information about ArtWorks | Center City Westfield and many other events and groups, as well as news. Dan Desrochers can be reached by emailing dan@thewestfieldnewsgroup.com
(Photo by Amy Porter)
Gateway retirees represent 173 years of service By AMY PORTER Correspondent HUNTINGTON – The Gateway Regional School Committee held a reception for retiring teachers and staff prior to their regular meeting on Wednesday. Nine retirees representing 173 years of service at Gateway were feted. Among the retirees is Joanne Blocker, who graduated Gateway in 1977, and has served the district for 20 years as Middle School dean of discipline, elementary principal and most recently as the director of academics. Also retiring is Alice Taverna, director of pupil services. Taverna has worked with children and adults with special needs for 43 years, the last five at Gateway. She first served Gateway as a member, and later chair, of the School Committee. Taverna said she is looking forward to spending a lot of time on her deck with her feet propped up. A search is currently underway to replace the position at Gateway. English teacher Rod Kleber is retiring after 32 years of teaching, 15 of those at Gateway. He is the 2016 recipient of the Pioneer Valley Excellence in Teaching
Award sponsored by the Harold Grinspoon Foundation. Other retirees include Sue Bloomrose, a Gateway paraprofessional for 22 ½ years; Karen Chaffee, Gateway’s physical therapist for the past 30 years, her entire career; Gateway graduate Donna Cranson, paraprofessional at the district for 30 years; Linda Dugas, nurse leader at Gateway for 22 years; Gary Huff, Gateway custodian for 19 years; and Deb Olander, health teacher for 29 years, spending the last 10 at Gateway. Also recognized with an awards at the reception was varsity baseball coach Jared Heeter, who received the Sportsmanship Award from the Hampshire Franklin Baseball Umpires Association at their September banquet, marking the only time the HFBUA honored a first-year coach. Heeter was an umpire in professional baseball, and has been involved in Gateway Little League and served as umpire on numerous leagues in the region. Also honored was Gateway guidance counselor Meghan Wasiak who received Rising Star Awards from both the Western
See Emerald Shield, Page 3
David Hopson and Meghan Wasiak.
Westfield State alumnus Travon Godette honored
Southwick Regional School announces Emerald Shield Finalists SOUTHWICK – Southwick Regional School is proud to announce the three finalists for the school’s prestigious Emerald Shield Award. The three finalists were chosen by their peers from a field of thirteen students nominated by the faculty. This award is given annually to the member of the graduating class who has made the greatest contribution to the Southwick Regional School, in the opinion of the faculty and senior class. After the senior vote, the following finalists were chosen: JACOB GOODREAU Jacob Goodreau has an admirable academic record at SRS as well as an impressive list of extracurricular activities. He is a confident student and a presence in all his endeavors throughout the school community. He has undertaken several AP classes including AP Calculus and AP U.S. History. As Parliamentarian of the Student Council he has taken an active role to enhance school climate and culture for the student body. As a member of National Honor Society he participated in the toy drive, in addition to volunteering as a youth baseball instructor. He also has participated on the basketball and baseball teams, demonstrating strong leadership skills that add to the overall success of the team. He earned First Team Western Mass. All-Scholastic Team last spring. Jacob plans to attend Boston College.
Massachusetts Counseling Association and the Massachusetts School Counselors Association. “It’s a bittersweet time. We’re losing a lot of institutional memory,” said Gateway superintendent Dr. David B. Hopson at the reception. “Thanks for all the work you’ve done,” he added. “There are not really enough words to express our gratitude,” said School Committee chair Michele Crane.
By LORI SZEPELAK Correspondent SOUTHWICK-Weekdays at the Southwick Senior Center, a variety of challenging and interactive activities and classes await town residents, according to Cindy Sullivan, director. “Our senior center is very active every day,” said Sullivan, during Wednesday’s luncheon. Sullivan is always interacting with those who stop in and lunch time is a perfect chance to seek input on program ideas. This month, seniors have been treated to a “prom,” hosted by the Southwick High School National Honor Society, a talent show featuring singers, dancers, and poetry readers, and a cooking class, led by culinary arts students and head chefs from Westfield Technical Academy. On Wednesday, while Donna Sharron and Barbara Mickna were enjoying a Highland Valley Elder Services meal of pork with peas and potatoes, Sullivan checked in with them to see if they were enjoying their meal. “The pork is delicious,” said Sharron. While meals are provided weekdays starting at 11:30 a.m., town
WESTFIELD – Westfield State University alumnus Travon Godette ’16 of Orange, Mass. has been named the Westfield State recipient of the 29 Who Shine award by the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education. These awards honor 29 outstanding public college and university graduates, one from each community college, state university, and UMass campus in the state, for their academic achievement and community service. The students were honored earlier this month at a State House ceremony TRAVON attended by Governor Baker, state educaGODETTE tion officials, campus presidents, faculty, and students. Godette, who graduated on Saturday, majored in English and was a member of both the Sigma Tau Delta and the Kappa Delta Pi honor societies. He served as a Training Active Bystanders (TAB) Delegate and an editor of Persona, the university’s literary magazine. He also served as chair of the Cross-Cultural Symposium and as a workshop assistant for Race in the English Classroom. In the fall, Godette was honored with a President’s Award for Excellence in Leadership. His community service efforts include volunteering at the Westfield Boys and Girls Club 5K, Half Marathon, and Road Race and at the Special Olympics Football Assessment in Westfield. “Leadership is all about setting an example for others to follow, but a leader doesn’t have to be perfect or the best at what they do,” Godette said. “A good leader just needs to be human and acknowledge that everyone else is human too. This world is in constant need of more leaders-whether they be found in a classroom or in a governing body, and I am more than honored that I am considered a leader by the other members in my community.” Godette chose Dr. Sophia Sarigianides, associate professor of English, as his faculty mentor to accompany him to the State
See Luau, Page 3
See Godette, Page 3
Cindy Sullivan, director of the Southwick Council on Aging, chats with Donna Sharron and Barbara Mickna during lunch on Wednesday.
Luau set to kick off Summer at Southwick Senior Center