Featured Articles
Chicopee Library celebrates Polish art
10/12/2017
| Dennis Hohenberger
The Chicopee Public Library honored the works of Polish artists and their contributions to the art world. Cutout artist Susan Urban exhibited her intricate designs and gave a talk during the opening night reception held Oct. 5.
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Motorcycle run and toy drive helps local kids
10/12/2017
| Chris Maza
chrism@thereminder.com
If you ask Bruce Rivest, Brightside for Families and Children gave him the greatest gift of all. “In 1970, I was adopted through Brightside. If it wasn’t for them, who knows where I’d be today?” he said. “They provided me with an amazing family.”
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Eat.Enjoy.Live.: Bing Comic Con celebrates pop culture
10/12/2017
| G. Michael Dobbs
news@thereminder.com
For the fifth year, the Bing Comic Com will present a wide variety of pop culture creators as a fundraiser for the Bing Arts Center in Springfield.
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Chicopee gets down
9/7/2017
| D. Powers
The third annual Downtown Get Down celebrated the spirit of Chicopee. The festival featured food, live music, crafters, artists and local nonprofits.
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Cleanup, redevelopment of Chicopee brownfields continues
9/7/2017
| Chris Maza
chrism@thereminder.com
After accepting three $200,000 U.S. EPA grants for continued brownfields clean-up at the former Uniroyal property in July, Mayor Richard Kos, City Treasurer Marie Laflamme, and Director of Planning Lee Pouliot announced that brownfields cleanup at the former Racing Oil site at 181 Center St. began in late August.
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Opinion: Pumpkin – one flavor to rule them all? What the heck?
9/7/2017
| G. Michael Dobbs
news@thereminder.com
I’m standing at a Dunkin’ Donuts the other day waiting for a breakfast sandwich and I could help but be drawn to a video billboard in the shop breathlessly proclaiming the return of pumpkin to the establishment.
Pumpkin flavor in various coffee drinks, pumpkin cream cheese for bagels and pumpkin c
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Eat.Enjoy.Live.: A first timer tries out Big E food
9/7/2017
| G. Michael Dobbs
news@thereminder.com
For veteran Big E attendees we know the drill: going to the fair means being able to try food we’ve never seen before and never imagined before.
Fair food is an art form located at the intersection of taste, novelty and mobility. A fair food item may be the best tasting treat you’ve ever had, but
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Eat.Enjoy.Live.: Tree House grows into its new home
9/7/2017
| Chris Maza
chrism@thereminder.com
Hidden in plain sight at Tree House Brewing Company’s new facility in Charlton is a subtle nod to its humble beginnings. Etched into the floor is the original floor plan, with proper dimensions, of the original brewery in Brimfield. The positioning of the bar, fermenters, stairs and even the potbelly stove harkens back to a past that seems long ago, but is, indeed, not forgotten.
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Kos participates in the Running of the Mayors
8/10/2017
| Chris Maza
chrism@thereminder.com
Mayor Richard Kos joined fellow mayors Will Reichelt of West Springfild, Alex Morse of Holyoke, Domenic Sarno of Springfield, and Brian Sullivan of Westfield for the Running of the Mayors at the Valley Blue Sox’s victory over the Winnipesaukee Muskratson July 19.
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Time to Get Down
8/10/2017
| Chris Maza
chrism@thereminder.com
This year’s Downtown Get Down will feature more than 70 vendors, including 18 food vendors. New food options include Gypsy Joe Coffee, Friskie Fries, The Roving Lunchbox, Bruiser’s BBQ, Glory of India, Sidecar Bakery, Bernat’s Polish Deli, Frontera Grill and Tower Theaters.
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Chicopee resident named new director of Storrowton Village
7/19/2017
| Chris Maza
chrism@thereminder.com
Jessica Fontaine still remembers when she first volunteered at Storrowton Village. Her grandmother began volunteering at the living museum in the early 90s and shortly after, as a young girl she began borrowing a costume and tagging along. “My grandmother was involved in a lot of different programs, but my memories are of the fair,” Fontaine recalled. “I remember sitting on the steps of the Potter House as my grandmother gave tours and I thought that was really cool.”
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Donavan Lozada brings home the title
7/19/2017
| Chris Miracle
Self-determination knows no boundaries for one local wrestler.
Just days after earning his associate’s degree, representing Springfield Technical Community College, Donavan Lozada went to work on the mats to come away with a national title in Greco-Roman wrestling.
After help from his girlfriend
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Opinion: Sisitsky fought the good fight for his constituents
7/19/2017
| G. Michael Dobbs
news@thereminder.com
Perhaps you remember Alan D. Sisitsky, perhaps not. Time is not always kind to the memories of past elected officials, especially one whose services was many years ago – 1973 to 1983. He recently passed away and the news made me think of him for the first time in years. An attorney who long practiced in Springfield, Sisitsky served as both a state representative and a state senator. He became well known for his fights against the auto insurance industry and was a successful champion for consumers’ rights. He also became know for his work on judicial reform.
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Chicopee native recalls 38-year career in Navy
7/19/2017
| Chris Maza
chrism@thereminder.com
When he enlisted in the U.S. Navy shortly after graduating from Chicopee High School in 1979, a young Henry “Hank” Roux Jr. anticipated he’d serve for four years and move on. His love for the Navy, however, resulted in a much longer stay. Capt. Roux recently retired after 38 years with the Navy, ending his career as the assistant commander of Navy Personnel Command for Career Progression.
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Bellamy students raise money for one of their own
6/8/2017
| Chris Maza
news@thereminder.com
When choosing a cause to support for her service project or Bellamy Middle School eighth grader Lisneida Pena decided a subject that was close to home.
Little did she know that it would end up touching an entire student body.
Cancer, Pena explained, has touched her family in the past, so she decided to
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Amazing World of Dr. Seuss opens to the public
6/8/2017
| G. Michael Dobbs
news@thereminder.com
A week prior, the murals were being touched up and workers were busy finishing exhibits, but all was ready for the opening on June 3 of the Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum, the only museum dedicated to the life and work of Springfield native Theodor Geisel, better known to generations of readers as Dr. Seuss. Directing the final touches was artist Josh Simpson who is the museum’s designer, who called the assignment “challenging and complex.”
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Thunderbirds looking to build on momentum
6/8/2017
| Chris Maza
chrism@thereminder.com
The ice is melted, the boards have been removed and players have long since left to head home for the offseason. But for the Springfield Thunderbirds’s front office team, this is the proving ground. After what has been heralded by most as a successful start for the franchise in its inaugural season, Executive Vice President Nate Costa and his team are now tasked with building upon their accomplishments to build a sustainable future for the team.
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Chicopee ready to hit the links for the library
6/8/2017
| Chris Miracle
CHICOPEE – The time of year approaches once again for a very important cause.
The Friends of the Chicopee Public Library will host their 15th Annual Golf Tournament this year on July 16, starting with lunch at 11:30 a.m. followed by a 12:30 p.m. tournament with a shotgun start at Chicopee Country Club.<
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Opinion: Recent incidents put notions of free speech to the test
6/8/2017
| G. Michael Dobbs
news@thereminder.com
I had the pleasure and privilege of attending the annual Talkers magazine take radio conference in New York City last week. Talkers is the Bible for the talk radio industry and is owned by one of the smartest guys I know, Michael Harrison, a Longmeadow resident.
I have gone to this event thanks to Michael&rsq
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Planting season sprouts at Community Garden
5/11/2017
| Chris Maza
chrism@thereminder.com
The Chicopee Community Garden is in the midst of the beginning of its second growing season and is looking for residents interested in taking advantage of the opportunity to grow fresh fruits and vegetables. A plot in the 19-bed garden located at Lincoln Grove Park in Chicopee Falls is available for $25.
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Before departure, Vedovelli reflects on city’s progress
5/11/2017
| Chris Maza
chrism@thereminder.com
After two years with the city of Chicopee, Michael Vedovelli will leave his position as director of Community and Economic Development. Vacating his post on May 19, Vedovelli will take a position with Eversource. Reflecting on his time with the city, Vedovelli said, “Chicopee was an exciting opportunity in which I was able to be a part of some very significant projects.”
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K-Fest to return to Eastern States Exposition
5/11/2017
| Chris Miracle
Formerly known as the Kielbasa Festival, the annual rite of passage now known as the K-Fest is nearing, coming to loyal fans at the Eastern States Coliseum in May, loaded with a full menu of fine food and entertainment options.
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Eat.Enjoy.Live.: Events offer chance to indulge culinary cravings
5/11/2017
| Debbie Gardner
debbieg@thereminder.com
Area foodies, rejoice! The month of May is ripe with events to engage, enlighten and tempt your taste buds.
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Opinion: Talk radio still has a place in modern media landscape
5/11/2017
| G. Michael Dobbs
news@thereminder.com
Recently I had the pleasure of listening to a great presentation at the Jewish Community Center about a medium I love: radio. “Radio?” a Millennial might ask. Yes, it’s like a podcast only it’s broadcast in a different fashion.
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Eat.Enjoy.Live: Morrison’s art on display
4/13/2017
| G. Michael Dobbs
news@thereminder.com
Artist Frank Morrison's aintings are on exhibit at the Art for the Soul Gallery at Tower Square through June 15. “We feel very fortunate to have another highly acclaimed artist show his works at the gallery,” Rosemary Tracy Woods, executive director of Art for the Soul Gallery said. “We are especially impressed with Mr. Morrison’s care, concern and focus on children and literacy.”
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Eat.Enjoy.Live.: Local authors take different paths
4/13/2017
| G. Michael Dobbs
news@thereminder.com
Two local authors – Debra Rollend of Wilbraham and William Dusty of Springfield – have taken their avocations into their own hands and used different means of self-publishing to make their literary dreams come true.
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Manyak settles in as COA director
4/13/2017
| Payton North
Chicopee Council on Aging at the RiverMills Center has a new director, Sherry Manyak, 46, of Chicopee. She replaces Sandra Lapollo, who acted as executive director for 24 years.
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Opinion: Chicopee's new trash and recycling initiative can work
4/13/2017
| G. Michael Dobbs
news@thereminder.com
I’ve been monitoring some Facebook posts about the shift in Chicopee to a smaller trashcan and a larger recycling barrel. Some people appear to be very concerned – afraid and angry to be precise. I’m here to tell you not to be afraid of the future. You can make recycling work. It only requires some thought and effort.
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Healthy Living: State bets GameSense will stem problem gambling
4/13/2017
| Debbie Gardner
debbieg@thereminder.com
Who hasn’t done it? Plunked down a dollar or two for a scratch ticket when you hit the convenience store for gas or milk? Kicked in a few bucks when the office pool was betting on the latest big Powerball? Taken advantage of one of those “fundraising” bus trips to Foxwoods or Mohegan Sun? Congratulations, you just joined the ranks of the 72 percent of adult Bay Staters who gambled last year.
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New Pope Francis head sees challenges, 'but the opportunities are incredible'
4/13/2017
| Chris Maza
chrism@thereminder.com
Dr. W. Paul Harrington Jr. was selected to lead Pope Francis High School after a nationwide search assisted by Partners in Mission School Leadership Search Solutions. He was most recently the head of school for the Bishop Garcia Diego High School in California.
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Shriners Hospital builds upon its original mission
4/13/2017
| Chris Maza
chrism@thereminder.com
Since the 1920s, Shriners Hospitals for Children have been providing essential care to the youngest and most vulnerable of our population. They have also been constantly evolving. When the doors opened at the Shiners Hospital in Springfield on Feb. 21, 1925, the mission was the treatment of children with polio. As polio was essentially eradicated, the hospital’s focus shifted to its current role as a specialty hospital treating pediatric orthopedic and spine issues, rheumatology, chest wall deformities, neuromuscular cerebral palsy and cleft lip and palate issues with no restrictions on care due to an inability to pay. And even now, Shriners keeps evolving.
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From the Editor's Desk: Revitalizing downtown isn't an either/or proposition
3/9/2017
| Chris Maza
chrism@thereminder.com
When considering economic development and area revitalization, local government is often confronted with a chicken and egg quandary. In many areas of our cities, Chicopee included, there are portions that are in need of significant investment to reenergize them. But with that comes a dilemma. Some would argue that without commerce, you couldn’t build a positive residential trend, while others might insist it would be difficult to attract businesses to an area in which the housing prospects are dim. So what’s the right answer?
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Eat.Enjoy.Live.: Eclectic Jimmy Webb to play Pittsfield
3/9/2017
| G. Michael Dobbs
news@thereminder.com
If the name “Jimmy Webb” doesn’t ring a bell, you’ll recognize his work if you’ve been listening to contemporary music for the last five decades. This is the songwriter responsible for a variety of hits including “Up, Up and Away,” “MacArthur Park,” also for a strong of successes for Glen Campbell that include ‘By the Time I get to Phoenix,” “Galveston” and “Wichita Lineman.”
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Teachers receive awards for excellence
3/9/2017
| Chris Maza
news@thereminder.com
Nine Chicopee educators were recently honored with Pioneer Valley Excellence in Teaching Awards. The award, a program instituted through by the Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation in 2003, recognizes outstanding teachers in Western Massachusetts for their impact on students, colleagues, and schools. Award winners are nominated by their peers.
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Ease on down to Dupont Middle School for ‘The Wiz’
3/9/2017
| Payton North
Drama Club students at Dupont Middle School are trying their hands, or should we say voices, in the school's upcoming musical, “The Wiz,” in honor of “Music in Our Schools” month. “The Wiz” is an adaptation of “The Wizard of Oz,” featuring a progressive sound track and upbeat format, as well as 32 Dupont Drama Club students, ranging from ages 11 to 14. While some are actors in the musical, others are focusing on behind-the-scenes work, filling the roles of stage crew.
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Grants to boost businesses in downtown Chicopee
3/9/2017
| Chris Maza
chrism@thereminder.com
The Downtown Business Assistance Program will provide financial support to business located in the recently approved West End Housing Development Incentive Zone seeking to make improvements. With the two simultaneous initiatives, the city is making a significant investment to improve one of the city’s oldest and most densely populated areas of the city.
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ADAPT enhances drug education in Chicopee
3/9/2017
| Chris Maza
chrism@thereminder.com
For the first time since the D.A.R.E. program, the city of Chicopee has a comprehensive program for drug abuse education and prevention. The Health Department’s Alcohol & Drug Awareness Prevention Team (ADAPT) has spent the better part of the last year growing and developing an inclusive initiative aimed at stemming problems with drugs and alcohol in the community before they start.
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From the Editor's Desk: Welcome to Chicopee Magazine!
2/10/2017
| Chris Maza
chrism@thereminder.com
For more than 50 years Reminder Publications has been synonymous with community. We have made our collective livelihood proudly joining you in your home to keep you informed on what is going on in the places you live and work. It truly is a labor of love.
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ChicopeeFRESH cooks up something special in Chicopee schools
2/10/2017
| Chris Maza
chrism@thereminder.com
With a goal of supporting healthy lifestyles for students, the ChicopeeFRESH program has embarked on a two-part mission to provide healthier local food options while also teaching children to develop better eating habits. The “farm to school” program is a districtwide initiative, incorporating all 15 schools and serving approximately 8,000 students.
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Fire chief looks to department’s future
2/10/2017
| Chris Maza
chrism@thereminder.com
January 5 is a special day for Fire Chief Dean Desmarais. Along with it being most importantly his mother’s birthday, he’s celebrated two major career milestones on that date. This year, on Jan. 5, Desmarais celebrated his 30th anniversary as a member of the Chicopee Fire Department by officially becoming fire chief.
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Greater Chicopee Area Community Concert Band continues to thrive under new leadership
2/10/2017
| Chris Maza
chrism@thereminder.com
A year ago members of the Greater Chicopee Area Community Concert Band weren’t sure if they would have a place to play anymore. Beloved Director William Sittard was stepping away after 20 years with the ensemble, leaving a massive pair a shoes to fill. But this January, the band, fresh off a holiday show in December, was preparing for its next concert.
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Barry School students to stage ‘Shrek’
2/10/2017
| Chris Maza
chrism@thereminder.com
This March, the Bellamy Middle School auditorium will be transformed into a mystical realm filled with fairy tail creatures, a tiny ruler with big, kingly aspirations and, you guessed it, an ogre! A cast of 19 fourth and fifth grade students from Barry Elementary School will welcome you to the swamp, the Lordship of Duloc, a high tower at the top of a castle and enchanted lands when they stage “Shrek the Musical Jr.,” directed by now retired longtime Chicopee music teacher Janet Maynard, March 9 and 10.
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