southwoods magazine march 2013 journal for country living

SOUTHWOODS MAGAZINE MARCH 2013 PAGE 1

SOUTHWOODS MAGAZINE MARCH 2013

Monday - Friday 5:30 am - 2:00 pm ~ Saturday 5:30 am - 1:00 pmSunday 7:00 am - 12:00 Noon

81 Point Grove Road • Southwick, MA • (413) 569-3665 (Old Location of the Marina Grill)

• Stuffed Chicken Breast• Meatloaf• Hamburg Gravy• Pot Roast

• Pork Chops• Fish & Chips• Scallops• Sandwiches & Soups

FRIDAYS FEATURE FRESH FISH & CHIPS

2 Jumbo Country-Style EggsSausage or Bacon

Home FriesToast & Coffee

$650$725

WithHam

Home Cooking At Its Very Best!

• CompletePumpService

• FreeEstimates

• HydrofracServiceforWellImprovement

RegisteredWellDrillingContractor-265/670

C.E. PRATTC.E. PRATTC.E. PRATT& SONS& SONS

Sewer PumPS, wATerPumPS + Service

(413) 569-5571SOUTHWICK,MA

We Service All Makes + Models

DO YOu HAveGreeN STAiNiNG?

Authorized

Dealer

Because well water is not always quality water, you may occasionally have a problem with taste, odor and clarity of your water. Acid water can also be a problem. neutrAlizer corrects the problem of acid water which can corrode piping and equipment, resulting in costly maintenance and repairs.

• water pump sales •We Repair & Service All Makes & Models

weLL POiNT SPeciALiST

Established1923

Your Water SpecialiSt

32 Years Professional Experience543 Springf ield St . • P.O. Box 195 • Agawam, MATelephone 413-789-6300 • Facsimile 413-786-6677

DIVORCEREASONABLE PAYMENT PLANS

REAL ESTATE CLOSINGSPERSONAL INJURY • LITIGATION

dana m. goldmanAttorney at Law

INDEX

P.O. Box 1106 • 610 College Hwy, Southwick, MA 01077Office: (413) 569-0266 Office & FAX: (413) 569-5325

Email: [email protected]

Advertisers should check advertisements the first day. Southwoods Magazine shall not be liable for failure to publish an ad, for typographical errors or errors in publication except to the extent of the cost of the ad for the first month’s insertion. Adjustment for errors is limited

to the cost of that portion of the ad wherein the error occurred. Our usual publication date is between the 3rd and the 7th of the month. To insure placement, ad copy should be submit-

ted by the 20th of the month preceding insertion.

A D V E R T I S I N G R A T E SDISPLAY ADS: Cost depends on column height x width. Call us for actual sizes and prices.

COUNTRY PEDDLER: Twenty words (20) for $5.50, each additional word 5¢.

SouthwoodS welcomeS Your commentS & QueStionSCall (413) 569-0266 or Email Your Suggestions to

[email protected]

Publisher Carole Caron editor Lyssa Peters layout/design Artists Lyssa Peters, Christy Cox, Martin Lee Advertising manager Christy Cox Advertising consultant Kris Sanders

DIRECT MAILED to 15,000 homes & businesses in the towns of Southwick, Westfield, Agawam, Feeding Hills, Tolland,

Granville and Northern Connecticut (West Suffield, Granby and beyond).Serving Massachusetts and Connecticut

cover Photoby Yahweh ArtsGraphics bymartin lee

march thoughts By Bernadette Gentry ........................................... 3

Sangie & tar By Albert Woodruff .................................................... 4

the St. Patrick’s day Parade By Frank Houlihan ...................... 6

looking Back at 1953 By Clifton J. (Jerry) Noble Sr ......... 10

Are You a locavore? By Connie Adams ........................................ 12

westfield river watershed By Brian W. Conz. ...................... 14

retirement doctor By Enrique J. Alvarez. ................................. 15

country cooking By Christy Cox .................................................. 18

the wind By Phil Pothier .................................................................... 19

town crier ............................................................................................... 20

classifieds ............................................................................................... 27

M A G A Z I N Eis locally owned and published by

Southwoods PrintingSTOP BY OUR SHOP at GRISTMILL PLAZA

610 College Highway, SouthwickFor All Your PRINTING and SIGNAGE Needs!

Open M-F 9-5 • 413-569-0266 • email: [email protected]

Boarding � Lessons � Training � Sales � Leasing

TheStrain Family

18 Vining Hill Rd., Southwick, MA 01077www.strainfamilyequestrian.com

EQUESTRIAN CENTER

Ponies for Parties Located Behind Big Y Plaza(413) 569-5797~ THERAPEUTIC RIDING ~


M A G A Z I N Eis locally owned and published by

Southwoods PrintingSTOP BY OUR SHOP at GRISTMILL PLAZA

610 College Highway, SouthwickFor All Your PRINTING and SIGNAGE Needs!

Open M-F 9-5 • 413-569-0266 • email: [email protected]

March stirs our winter weary spirits with her longer

times of daylight.

Yes, there may be snow and cold, and strong winds still to

come, but as my Mother said, “the back of the winter is

broken”.

The brave daffodils, crocuses, and hyacinths now begin

their journey of re-birth beneath the earth.

Soon they will lift their heads of yellow, purple, and blue,

and return the landscape to color once again.

Too brief their show of glory, but so beautiful their

presence.

Spring flowers remind us that Nature, like God, is always

with us. We mush be patient to know and realize this.

Then, we too, must add our own warmth, brightness,

and caring to the world--

making it more beautiful by our presence.

Like March, let us begin again as we wait for Nature’s,

and God’s, gift of spring.

March Thoughts

By Bernadette Gentry

Boarding � Lessons � Training � Sales � Leasing

TheStrain Family

18 Vining Hill Rd., Southwick, MA 01077www.strainfamilyequestrian.com

EQUESTRIAN CENTER

Ponies for Parties Located Behind Big Y Plaza(413) 569-5797~ THERAPEUTIC RIDING ~

Visit us at WWW.southwoodsmagazine.com


By Albert Woodruff

There once was a Southwick mutt with a famous mother. Sangie, short for the Aircraft Carrier USS Sangamon CVE26 served as ship’s dog during World War II. On special occasions she wore her purple heart medal, along with cam-paign ribbons and battle stars. Her service record shows 11 ma-jor battles. Her wound resulted when a Japanese suicide plane plunged into the Sangamon off Okinawa and exploded, setting the ship on fire. The damage was so extensive that over one hundred men on the ship were killed. Sangie was well below decks and though wounded, survived.

The Sangamon was the first ship of her class to be built. The Swanee CVE27, Chenago CVE28 and Santee CVE29 would fol-

low. At 553 feet the Sangamon was a small ship. The USS Saratoga CV3 measured in at 910 feet in length.

After the battle of Okinowa, the San-gamon was moved to a dry dock for re-pairs and found not to be sea worthy. The Captain and some of the crew, including Sangie, were assigned to the new Essex Class Carrier U.S.S. Tarawa. Also assigned to the ship as damage control officer was my father, Lt. Commander R. A. Woodruff,

known to the people of Southwick as Woody. During her stay on the Tarawa as the ship’s mascot, Sangie

delivered eight new crew members. One of the puppies came to live in Southwick soon after. My family moved to town to build our house at 619 College Highway. We were fortunate to have Sangie’s son, “Tar,” for the next 15 years.

My three brothers and I were members of Boy Scout Troop 114 in Southwick when Charles V. Tuttle and his son Chilie Tuttle were Scout Masters. Tar went with us on many camping trips to the Granville Gorge.

He earned his keep by doing baby sitting duty with our horse. We would tie Tar to the horse and he would lead her around the property to keep the grass trimmed.

Southwick has changed a lot since I was a boy. Scout Master Tuttle had his Blacksmith Shop across the street from the Con-gregational Church parking lot. In those days we bought our food from Clyde Jones and our gas from Mr. Francis at the top of the hill across from what is now the Summer House.

From our house at 619 College Highway (up on the hill be-hind what is now King Bros.), all the way up to Mr. Francis gas station on top of the hill, the land was one very large cow pasture. This was before Crescent Circle was pushed through and homes and stores were built on the west side of College Highway. In the winter we used to ice-skate on the large pond that formed in the field across from the Rt 57-202 intersection.

Mr. Madden owned all of the property which made up this

Sangie is sitting on the wooden flight deck of the ship. She wore her medals on state occasions.

Sangie

and Tar


low. At 553 feet the Sangamon was a small ship. The USS Saratoga CV3 measured in at 910 feet in length.

After the battle of Okinowa, the San-gamon was moved to a dry dock for re-pairs and found not to be sea worthy. The Captain and some of the crew, including Sangie, were assigned to the new Essex Class Carrier U.S.S. Tarawa. Also assigned to the ship as damage control officer was my father, Lt. Commander R. A. Woodruff,

known to the people of Southwick as Woody. During her stay on the Tarawa as the ship’s mascot, Sangie

delivered eight new crew members. One of the puppies came to live in Southwick soon after. My family moved to town to build our house at 619 College Highway. We were fortunate to have Sangie’s son, “Tar,” for the next 15 years.

My three brothers and I were members of Boy Scout Troop 114 in Southwick when Charles V. Tuttle and his son Chilie Tuttle were Scout Masters. Tar went with us on many camping trips to the Granville Gorge.

He earned his keep by doing baby sitting duty with our horse. We would tie Tar to the horse and he would lead her around the property to keep the grass trimmed.

Southwick has changed a lot since I was a boy. Scout Master Tuttle had his Blacksmith Shop across the street from the Con-gregational Church parking lot. In those days we bought our food from Clyde Jones and our gas from Mr. Francis at the top of the hill across from what is now the Summer House.

From our house at 619 College Highway (up on the hill be-hind what is now King Bros.), all the way up to Mr. Francis gas station on top of the hill, the land was one very large cow pasture. This was before Crescent Circle was pushed through and homes and stores were built on the west side of College Highway. In the winter we used to ice-skate on the large pond that formed in the field across from the Rt 57-202 intersection.

Mr. Madden owned all of the property which made up this

Clockwise from top left: Tar and Allen Woodruff camping with Southwick Boy Scout troop 114. The Wood-ruff boys with their dad, L-R: Allen with Tar, Jack, R.A. and Albert. The Woodruff family in 1943, L-R: Jack, Louisa, Jim, Allen, R.A. Woodruff and Albert. Tar with Silver, doing the grass.

huge field full of beef cattle. They kept the grass mowed to about two inches. There were no trees or bushes from the Wolfe Orchard due north of our house to the Francis Gas Station.

Mr. Moorehouse was the town police department. Char-lie Wolfe was our milk man, he used to deliver the milk in his Chevy pickup truck to the house. Mr. Moorehouse used his own car to patrol the town. In latter years Charlie Wolfe would be-come the Chief of

Police and drive around in a town cruiser.

In time Mr. Sefton and Mr. Pollard would build homes along College Highway and punch through Crescent Cir-cle.

As the years passed so did our fifteen years with Tar, one of our living ties with World War II and the U.S. Navy was gone.

On October 11, 1999 we lost Woody, our father, Tar’s mas-ter and our last connection with the USS Tarawa.

We long ago lost track of Sangie, however the Tradewinds (Tarawa) yearly

newsletter published an article about her and her Paw Print. We read that our dog was not from the first or only litter that Sangie produced.

Buy One General AdmissionGet ONE FREE!

Children 2 - 12 Years Only

Cannot be combined with any other offers


By Frank Houlihan

It’s been record-ed that the Irish Soci-

ety of Boston held the first St. Patrick’s Day

parade in South Boston in the 1737. The event has been

cited as the earliest celebration of St. Patrick’s Day, but some histori-

ans point out that around 1685, when New York had an Irish governor, there might have been an Irish pa-rade held in New York City. No record has survived of any pa-rade celebration held in New York at this time.

According to nycstpatrickparade.org, New York City’s first St. Patrick’s Day Parade was held on lower Broadway by a band of homesick Irish ex-patriots and Irish military who served

with the British Army stationed in the American colonies. This was a time when the wearing of green was a sign of Irish pride and was banned in Ireland. The parade participants reveled in the freedom to speak Irish, wear the green, sing Irish songs and play the pipes to Irish tunes that were very meaningful to the Irish immigrants who had fled their homeland.

Prior to the American Revolution it was also known that some of the English regiments had a number of Irish members. Irish officers of at least two of these regiments performed cel-ebrations on March 17 with their Irish countrymen. Along with a mini-parade of civilians and military personnel, mainly Irish, they would drink to the English king as well as to the prosper-ity of Ireland.

During the Revolution, when the 13 original American col-onies broke away from the English Empire, celebrations of St. Patrick’s Day were muted, but with peace restored the celebra-tions returned with a different focus. Gone was the celebrating of the English king and any Tory connections. The focal point of St. Patrick’s Day became an Irish celebration, no doubt with fifes and drums in a parade event.

Entering the 1800s St. Patrick’s Day was a major event, with marching bands, etc., parading and marching through New York City. As years passed the Irish population and their orga-nizations swelled in number.

In New York City, in 1858, there were actually two huge parades in which the Irish organizations were competing with one another. In the early 1860s The ancient Order Hibernians, an Irish immigrant group founded in the 1830’s, began organiz-ing a massive parade, which it still does today.

The parades were not always without incident. In late March 1867 the New York newspapers were full of stories about violence that broke out at the parade in Manhattan, and also at a St. Patrick’s Day march in Brooklyn. Following that fiasco, the focus in following years was on making the parades and celebrations of St. Patrick’s Day a respectable reflection on the growing political influence of the Irish in New York.

In the 1890’s the St. Patrick’s Day parade started marching up 5th Avenue in Manhattan, the same as today, and is made up of thousands of people marching along with brass and bag pipe bands.

Almost two centuries after the first parade in Boston, Dub-

The St. Patrick’s Day Parade ...A History

104 Elm St., Westfield, MA 01086(413) 568-1243 • FAX (413) 562-8431Web Site: cassinins.com

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT...

CASSIN INSURANCE AGENCY

The real act of discovery consists not in finding new lands but in seeing

with new eyes. ~ Marcel Proust

Celebrate Spring & Easter!• Kites• Frisbees• Sidewalk Chalk

WE HAVE LOTS OF:• Bubbles• Yo Yos• Wagon

• Trikes• Balsa Wood Gliders• Jump Ropes

For The Kid In All Of Us Since 1948(860) 658-5783 • 1591 Hopmeadow Street • SimSbury, Ct 06070

www.neckerstoyland.com

Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat9:30 - 5:30 pm

Thursday 9:30 - 7:30

Sunday10 - 3 pm

Closed Tuesdays


lin began its own St. Patrick’s Day festival in the mid-1990s, and its flashy parade, which is noted for large and colorful puppet-like characters, draws hundreds of thousands of spectators ev-ery March 17th.

Here in America there are 25 cities that participate in cel-ebrating this joyous day. In Western Massachusetts, Holyoke goes all out every March and does an excellent job of putting on the St. Patrick’s Day celebration and parade, not surprising, as nearly 25% of the citizens of Massachusetts have Irish ancestors or are Irish themselves. That i s more than any other state in the United States.

This year, the Holyoke St. Patrick’s Day parade will kick off at 11 am on March 17th. A great day to come out and wear the green!

www.nycstpatricksparade.orgwww.examiner.comwww.history1800s.about.com

Celebrate Spring & Easter!• Kites• Frisbees• Sidewalk Chalk

WE HAVE LOTS OF:• Bubbles• Yo Yos• Wagon

• Trikes• Balsa Wood Gliders• Jump Ropes

For The Kid In All Of Us Since 1948(860) 658-5783 • 1591 Hopmeadow Street • SimSbury, Ct 06070

www.neckerstoyland.com

Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat9:30 - 5:30 pm

Thursday 9:30 - 7:30

Sunday10 - 3 pm

Closed Tuesdays


M arch 6 I bought 100 feet of rope for $10.88, and March 24, a hacksaw. The latter might be considered a self-

present for my 27th birthday. May 20 I bought a secondhand treadle sewing machine for my mother, “Hester,” for $25. (Her 66th birthday was April 3rd. Her real name was Minnie Emer-son Noble. I had nicknamed her “Hester” because I thought she managed my earnings so well.)

As a result of passing a Civil Service exam I had started

with permanent appointment as rodman in the survey sec-tion of Massachusetts Department of Public Works in Octo-ber 1947. Subsequent advancements were also permanent by passing exams. Most coworkers my age were temporaries appointed by politicians. By 1953 I had been chief of my two or three man crew for a couple years. Beyond high school I’d had no college. Mathematics was learned by self-study and knowledge of survey procedure came from experience and a University Extension course. However this was enough to tackle any project to which I might be assigned. Restaurant coffee was five cents a cup so I usually paid for everyone when I took my men on breaks.

Hester and I had acquired an abandoned Montgomery schoolhouse, made alterations and moved in April 30, 1949. Although the building lacked electricity, running water and drainage it was our own country home, I dug a well. In June the real estate tax on our schoolhouse and land was $64.40. The monthly telephone bill was less than four dollars.

A Smith College girl I rather liked was a budding singer and was hired to sing in the opera “Pagliacci,” so May 14 I bought a copy of the score for $4 hoping to rehearse with her. That didn’t happen.

A June news item quoted county farm agent, James Put-nam, that gypsy moths were leaving trees bare of foliage in Hampden orchards. Other news said a Chicago firm planned to build 500 railroad flat cars designed to carry loaded high-way semitrailers. June 30 railroad engines set a six-acre forest fire which burned along Bear Den Brook valley up to Car-rington Road opposite our buildings. I had to go down with water pail and broom to keep sparks from igniting leaves east of the road on my 2 ½ acre lot.

Poles were set and wires brought electricity. November 24 we paid Mr. Gresty $134.66 to wire the schoolhouse. Elec-tric light made life and studying easier. No more radio bat-teries. November 6, I bought a sun lamp for $18.95 hoping to increase tan in winter. December 2 we bought a Eureka vacuum cleaner for $69.95.

Operating my own vehicle cost $449.71 for the year of which $341,33 was reimbursed by expense account. Septem-ber 4 I replaced my black 1949 car with a new Pecos gray, four-door Plymouth. Total price was $2,022 and I was al-lowed $900 on my old car. By the end of 1953 the new odom-eter showed 6,714 miles.

My total state income for the year was $4,202.45. Fed-eral tax withheld $570.10, and retirement took $209.26 leaving

Looking Back at 1953

A 1953 Plymouth sedan, similar to Jerry’s new car.

By Clifton (Jerry) Noble, Sr.

Our Urban Watershed

Westfield River Watershed Association’s 19th Annual

Westfield River SymposiumSaturday, March 23, 2013

Scanlon Banquet Hall, Westfield State UniversityRegistration begins at 8:00 a.m. • Raffle drawing at 12:15

Programs run from 8:30 – 11:25 View exhibits and WSU regional planning

students’ research posters.

Free AdmissionTopics: Streams Behaving Badly, Bicycling and Walking Our Cities and Towns, Water Filtration Issues, Municipal Stormwater Management, Maintaining River Quality in Difficult Times.Field Trips: Each trip leaves at 1:30 from Scanlon Hall.• West Parish Filtration Plant,

Westfield (Springfield Water Works)• Westfield Water Pollution Control Plant

For more info, visit www.westfieldriver.org


$3,423.63. Additional earnings from surveys and puppet shows amounted to another $567.

The large brick building on the north side of Court Street had been built as the State Teachers College. Because of its con-nection with the “Training School” on Washington Street that elementary school’s eighth grade graduation was conducted in the college auditorium. So that was where I graduated at age eleven.

In June of 1953 the City of Westfield presented the State with the deed to 26 acres of land three miles west on West-ern Avenue for a new college site. The land had been known as Juniper Park. When the college moved the city took over the former building for a city hall.

June was dance recital time and Marjery Fielding Hayles and husband George put on their elaborate “Stars of Tomor-row” at the “New Court Square Theater” which was far from new having been around since my mother’s day. Some Hayle students and performers were associated with Ted Shawn’s Dance Theater and with Springfield College which gave credit for courses taken at Jacob’s Pillow.

September 15 I had become sufficiently interested to buy a pair of ballet shoes for $3.50. A picture article in the rotogra-vure section of the Springfield Sunday Republican concerned Marjery Fielding Hayles school of dance which occupied the second floor ballroom at the Hotel Worthy. I knew very little about ballet but had been practising with a library book so wrote to Mrs. Hayle. December 12 I took a private lesson for six dollars. She said, “You have more to work with than I sus-pected from your letter.”

Succeeding ten Saturdays, starting December 19 I did bal-let exercises at back of a class of school kids led by Emily Jaross. These lessons cost only $1.50 each. Marjery provided glamor-ous music on her spangled, blue piano. There was at least one

high school boy in the class and the lead male dancer was Gro-ver Grindel (who sometimes conducted classes). Though young and handsome he had a bald spot in the center of his black hair. He wore tights. I wore dungarees.

Once between classes a little girl got her hand stuck in the Coke machine.

A December 6 news article told of the closing by censors of the Old Howard burlesque theater in Scollay Square, Boston. I had heard of it from a prominent Westfield man who was very kind to me and who had been there. (He also deplored my lack of sophistication and said if I went to Maine, his home state, the girls would hang me out “on the flagpole.”)

In 1843 the Old Howard was built as a church by William Miller who mistakenly predicted the end of the world for April 23, 1844. Its granite front was adorned with three huge stained glass windows, but only strippers like Ann Corio and Gypsy Rose Lee graced its stage. The Old Howard was a monument to a misguided attempt at predicting Godly Truth instead of seeking it.


By Connie Adams Yellow StoneHouse Farm

Westfield, Ma

A trend familiar to many Americans is that we are becoming increasingly urbanized and wired.

We shop from our homes in the cities and suburbs, socialize via facebook and twitter, and support ourselves providing intangible products and services.

But wait, what if I told you that there is a thriving move-ment – both among consumers, baby boomers and young people – which bucks that trend? A movement rooted in the origins of this country, our founder’s desire for honest work leading to prosperity while producing goods that benefitted their community.

This new movement is the Locavore movement! Accord-ing to Wikipedia, A locavore is a person interested in eating food that is locally produced, not moved long distances to mar-ket! Yet growing food locally is both an old trend and a new one. All of us know that the Pilgrims farmed and that much

of the USA was settled by farmers pushing westward. What many may not be aware of is that farming moved through an industrial revolution as the US did with manufacturing, with many of the same positive and negative results. On the posi-tive side: greater yields, more perfect crops, the ability to feed more people. On the negative side, less crop diversity, more farm consolidation, and pollution due to pesticides and indus-trial farming techniques.

One of the unintended consequences of Industrialized farming has been the Organic Food Movement – a direct re-sponse to unhealthy food, pollution and the industrialization of farming. The four principles of Organic Agriculture are:

• The Principle of Health – that Organic Agriculture (OA) should sustain and enhance the health of soil, plant, animal, human and planet as one and indivisible. • The Principle of Ecology – that OA should be based on and work with living ecological system and cycles. • The Principle of Fairness - Organic agriculture should provide everyone involved with a good quality of life and aims to produce a sufficient supply of good quality food and other products. • The Principle of Care - Organic Agriculture should be managed in a precautionary and responsible manner to protect the health and well-being of current and future generations and the environment.

The Organic movement is represented by many organiza-tions nationwide, but in the Northeast, NOFA or the Northeast Organic Farming Association, is the organization that repre-sents New England. NOFA is a non-profit organization of over 5000 farmers, gardeners, and consumers and promotes healthy food, organic farming practices and a cleaner environment. Many farms in the area are members of NOFA and member-ship in the organization is a good way to ensure a farm is using practices that produce healthy food. NOFA/Mass is the local chapter representing Farmers who use organic and sustainable farming practices in growing local produce. Visit the Massa-chusetts Organic food guide web page and enter your town/city name in the search box to find the closest NOFA member farm: www.theorganicfoodguide.com.

Consumer Supported Agriculture (CSA) is the name of a cooperative farming model that enables farmers to provide


Enjoy fresh local produce by joining a CSA member farm

locally grown products to their community by selling farm shares. Some of the first CSA farms in the country were started in Massachusetts as an early outgrowth of the Organic Food movement. CSA’s were a way for farmers to implement the Principles of Organic Farming in a meaningful and productive way.

CSA membership is ideal for those who want fresh, locally grown and healthy foods. One way to think about the membership is to consider it a “subscription” to the farm. In ex-change for the subscription or share fee, the member or shareholder is entitled to a share of whatever the farm produces – usually vegetables, but there are also meat, flower, and fruit CSA’s available. For example, members of a vegetable CSA might receive farm grown pro-duce starting in early June through the growing season into November. Lucky members enjoy the bounty of their farm when crops are at their peak – nothing beats freshly picked vegetables fresh from the fields. From spring’s early peas and tender lettuces, to summer’s rich corn and juicy tomatoes to the fun of autumn pumpkins and root crops such as carrots and potatoes, CSA members get lots of delicious vegetables to eat!

Many CSA’s also provide members with bonus privileges’ such as Pick-Your-Own crops like beans, cherry tomatoes, husk berries and strawberries. Some CSA have cutting flowers to provide members with colorful bouquets of flowers such as Asters, Cosmos, Gladiolas, Sunflowers, Zinnias . Many CSA members find great pleasure in being able to work on the farm in this way – both for the exercise and connecting with the land.

An extra CSA benefit is the unusual and new varieties of vegetables members receive. Vegetables such as tomatillos, leaf fennel, noodle beans, plus heirloom varieties of tomatoes, squash, and beans add variety and fun to a member’s experi-ence. Some CSA farms also provide preparation advice and recipes to their members to make sure that everyone can take full and delicious advantage of the produce they receive.

Another consequence of farm industrialization is that

entering farming has become more difficult and expensive. Moreover, farm land is increasingly purchased for housing de-velopment reducing the amount of available farmland. Even long held family farms are at risk: as land prices escalate, it be-comes difficult to justify farming the land when development

can be so much more profitable. Through memberships, CSA

farms provide a steady income stream for farmers, who earn more by selling directly to consumers and avoiding wholesalers who pay far less. Con-sumers benefit by enjoying fresh, lo-cally grown produce without having to pay a retail price or consume food that is days and sometimes weeks old.

Consumer Supported Agricul-ture is one way today’s farmers are

making their farms profitable, which in turn makes it possible for current farmers and their children to stay on their farms and future farmers to be able to start new farms. It also in-volves local residents in the continuation of healthy and sus-tainable local farming, which maintains the beautiful open spaces of farms in our communities.

Learn more by visiting:www.yellowstonehousefarmcsa.comwww.nofamass.orgwww.localharvest.orgwww.mass.gov/agr/massgrown/csa_farms.htm


by Brian W. Conz,WRWA Board Member

Children’s Book Hero and Watershed Activist Marion Stoddart to visit

Westfield March 27One of the greatest pleasures of parent-

hood for me so far has been the opportunity to re-enter the world of children’s literature. Pre-bed story time can be an almost sacred part of a child’s day, coming as it does close to dream-time and, for some, evening prayers. As adults we re-connect with our own childhoods and re-member what it was like to drift off into fantasy worlds, imagining the infinite possibilities our lives might hold.

My wife often chides me for gravitating re-petitively toward natural history themes, sug-gesting that I might be getting more out of story time than the kids are. Sometimes I think she’s right. Lately I feel like I could read one title over and over with my kids. The Raft by Jim LaMarche tells the story of a boy who goes to live with his grand-mother for the summer. Reluctant at first, he is soon swept into

grandma’s wonderfully peaceful life on the shores of a river rich with wildlife. He discovers an old raft (an encounter his grandmother appears to have facilitated) and spends the sum-mer exploring the river, visiting swimming holes, and sketch-ing the creatures of the river environment.

In all fairness, it is my wife (a school teacher) who has turned me on to such classics as The Raft, or another book that’s pure enchantment, Owl Moon, about a little girl who goes ‘owling’ with her father on a cold New England winter night. Walking the forest by the light of the moon they call in a great

horned owl and the little girl experiences the thrill of the wild landscape. These are wonder-ful tales of people connecting with each other and nature, strengthening the bonds of each.

One of the greatest of the children’s au-thors addressing her work to nature themes is Lynne Cherry. Cherry has tackled a number of issues through her writings and beautiful art work, from rainforest destruction and climate change, to the pleasures of gardening and mi-gratory birds. Her book about a wood thrush, Flute’s Journey, has become an annual ritual in our house as we await the first sounds of that woodland minstrel in the forest beyond our yard each spring.

One of Cherry’s most relevant books for New Englanders and watershed enthusiasts is A River Ran Wild, which tells the story of the

degradation and recovery of the Nashua River of east-ern Massachusetts. It is a story of cultural and technological change and also one of heroic activism on the part of those who worked to restore the river. Chief among those activists was Marion Stoddart who, beginning in the 1960s, fought to clean up the Nashua, which at the time was one of the nation’s dirti-est rivers.

We are very fortunate here in the greater Westfield area to have the opportunity to hear this story of environmental activ-ism up close and personal when Marion Stoddart and friends come to the Westfield Athenaeum at 6:30 on Wednesday March 27th, thanks to local chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club, and with the support of other local organizations including the WRWA. A short film called The Work of a 1,000, which chronicles the Nashua’s restoration, will be shown and there will be time for questions and discussion. Now this is a story our kids need to hear!

For more information on this and other topics, visit www.westfieldriver.org. For more info on Marion Stoddard program visit www.westath.org.

Marion Stoddart

Daily Yoga ClassesNew Student Special , 30 Days for $30!

617 College Highway Southwick, MA • 413-998-3463Visit us online www.DhiraYogaCenter.com


By Enrique J. Alvarez, The Retirement Doctor®, Suffield, CT

Question:How much should I be saving in my 401(k)? Danna F.

Answer: Part IProbably more, as a minimum, the amount that your em-

ployer matches.When I started my career most individuals had a much

shorter life expectancy so they needed less money. For example, if life expectancy has increased by eight years and you wanted $50,000 per year adjusted for inflation from your retirement ac-counts, you would need to accumulate an additional $400,000.

The second reason is that most companies have terminated their pension plans. When I first started in my career it was very common to have someone receive between 30% to 50% of their final pay for life. This benefit was provided by the employer. Due to skyrocketing medical cost, companies terminated the Defined Benefit Plan. Today it is the individual’s responsibility to provide for their future financial needs.

Social Security retirement benefits were a hundred percent (100%) tax-free. Today as much as 85% of your Social Security retirement benefit may be taxed.

The Social Security retirement age has been going up and unless the politicians do what they need to do to protect all Americans, many younger people may be receiving greatly reduced benefits for their Social Security retirement benefits.

In addition, their retirement age may continue to be deferred. It used to be 65, now it can be up to age 67 with no end in sight.

As people live longer they tend to have larger medical expenses. Some of these medical expenses may be covered by in-surance. The expenses that are not covered by insurance you may have to use your retirement savings to pay for this medical care.

There are numerous other ways to save for your financial future. If you qualify you may be eligible for an individual IRA, Roth IRA or health savings accounts, etc.

In my practice we have some individuals that have no fi-nancial concerns and travel over the world and do as they wish. We also have others that live in subsidized housing and ride a bus provided by the town to get around.

Everyone is able to retire in this country. However, actions that you take today will determine what your financial future will be like tomorrow.

Many individuals that I talk to are finding that to maintain the standard of living that they would like to maintain they will have to defer their retirement until a much later date, age 75 for example. If they wish to retire at an earlier age they will have to reduce their financial standard of living sometimes dramatically or continue to work on a part time basis.

Living below your means and paying yourself first is a very good prescription for a sound financial retirement plan.

Because each individual’s situation is unique, please speak with your financial advisor with any questions or concerns. Or, you may reach the Retirement Doctor at [email protected] or 1-800-406-1595.

Securities offered through Cambridge Investment Research, Inc., a Broker/Dealer, Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment Advisor Repre-sentative, Retirement Doctor, LLC, a Registered Investment Advisor. Cambridge and Retirement Doctor, LLC are not affiliated.

Daily Yoga ClassesNew Student Special , 30 Days for $30!

617 College Highway Southwick, MA • 413-998-3463Visit us online www.DhiraYogaCenter.com

Real estate

TONGA YORK

35 Years Selling Homes

Text: 413-237-4277 • Call: 413-569-5643


EASTERBRUNCH

March 31 - 10-2Carving StationWaffle Station

Omellete StationAnd Much More!

St. Patty’s WeekWed 13th-Fri 16th

LIVE Ent.3/16

Corned Beef & Cabbage

Dinner

$15.95DINNER ONLY


Non-perishable food donations can be dropped off at: Southwick Post Office, Southwick Big Y, or Southwick Food Pantry.

Items Always Needed:• Pasta • Pasta Sauce • Cereal

• Canned Tuna • Peanut Butter & Jelly • Canned or Fresh Fruits & Vegetables

Please Help Us Feed Our Community!

Southwick Food Pantry

All donations are greatly appreciated!For More Info: 413-569-9876

By Christy Cox

Peach Sauce1 Can (1lb) Cling Peach Slices 1 Tablespoon Cornstarch 1/4 Cup Ketchup 1/4 Teaspoon Cinnamon2 Teaspoons Lemon Juice 1/8 Teaspoon Ground Cloves2 Tablespoons Sugar 1/4 Teaspoon Salt

Drain peaches - reserve juice. Combine juice, ketchup & lemon juice. Mix sugar with remaining ingredi-

ents. In saucepan, first add juice mixture, gradu-ally wisk the sugar mixture in, stir constantly

over medium heat until thickened. Add peach slices, cook over low heat

until the peach slices are heat-ed through. Yields 2 cup.

Eggs Benedict1 - 2 teaspoons instant chicken 2 English muffins, split bouillon granules (optional) 4 slices Canadian-style bacon4 eggs Cracked black pepper1 recipe Mock Hollandaise (optional) Sauce*

If desired, lightly grease a 10-inch saute pan or skillet with cooking oil or shortening. Half-fill the skillet with water. If desired, stir in bouillon granules. Bring the water to boiling; reduce heat to simmering (bubbles should begin to break the surface of the water). Break one of the eggs into a small dish or a measuring cup with a handle. Carefully slide egg into the sim-mering water, holding the lip of the cup as close to the water as possible. Add remaining eggs, one at a time.

Simmer eggs, uncovered, for 3 to 5 minutes or until the whites are completely set and the yolks begin to thicken but are not hard. Remove eggs with a slotted spoon and place them in a large pan of warm water to keep them warm. Prepare Mock Hollandaise Sauce.

Place muffin halves, cut sides up, on a baking sheet. Broil 3 to 4 inches from the heat about 2 minutes or until toasted. Top muffin halves with Canadian-style bacon. Broil about 1 minute more or until bacon is heated.

To serve, top each bacon-topped muffin half with an egg. Spoon Mock Hollandaise Sauce over eggs. If desired, sprinkle with pepper. Makes 4 servings.

Mock Hollandaise Sauce1/3 cup dairy sour cream 2 teaspoons lemon juice1/3 cup mayonnaise 1 teaspoon yellow mustard or salad dressing

In a 1- to 1-1/2-quart saucepan combine dairy sour cream, mayonnaise or salad dressing, lemon juice, and yellow mus-tard. Cook and stir over medium-low heat until warm. If de-sired, stir in a little milk to thin.

This is a great recipe that I make at Easter and Christmas for our ham. This Peach Sauce can be

used on other meats too.


Eggs Benedict1 - 2 teaspoons instant chicken 2 English muffins, split bouillon granules (optional) 4 slices Canadian-style bacon4 eggs Cracked black pepper1 recipe Mock Hollandaise (optional) Sauce*

If desired, lightly grease a 10-inch saute pan or skillet with cooking oil or shortening. Half-fill the skillet with water. If desired, stir in bouillon granules. Bring the water to boiling; reduce heat to simmering (bubbles should begin to break the surface of the water). Break one of the eggs into a small dish or a measuring cup with a handle. Carefully slide egg into the sim-mering water, holding the lip of the cup as close to the water as possible. Add remaining eggs, one at a time.

Simmer eggs, uncovered, for 3 to 5 minutes or until the whites are completely set and the yolks begin to thicken but are not hard. Remove eggs with a slotted spoon and place them in a large pan of warm water to keep them warm. Prepare Mock Hollandaise Sauce.

Place muffin halves, cut sides up, on a baking sheet. Broil 3 to 4 inches from the heat about 2 minutes or until toasted. Top muffin halves with Canadian-style bacon. Broil about 1 minute more or until bacon is heated.

To serve, top each bacon-topped muffin half with an egg. Spoon Mock Hollandaise Sauce over eggs. If desired, sprinkle with pepper. Makes 4 servings.

Mock Hollandaise Sauce1/3 cup dairy sour cream 2 teaspoons lemon juice1/3 cup mayonnaise 1 teaspoon yellow mustard or salad dressing

In a 1- to 1-1/2-quart saucepan combine dairy sour cream, mayonnaise or salad dressing, lemon juice, and yellow mus-tard. Cook and stir over medium-low heat until warm. If de-sired, stir in a little milk to thin.

By Phil Pothier The pewter sky has hid the sun,

Which never quite breaks through.The red at dawn, foretelling storms,

Bodes ill for me and you.Up comes the wind! It blows the snow

And turns the weather vane.It rattles through the maple tree, And shakes the window pane!

It seems to find each crevice, ‘though We thought we’d stopped them all,And now we hear no whippoorwills

Or even blue jays call.They’re all holed up in piney woods, They’ve been through this before!The damp and cold as I have told, Comes through the cellar door!

The furnace bravely labors on,

Its duty to perform,And yet, no matter what we do We can’t seem to stay warm.

We bundle up with clothes and quilts, And wait, and wait for spring.

And still the north wind blows and blows,It seems a living thing!

The ground hog says ‘twill soon be o’er, That winter’s almost gone,

And so we’ll wait a few more weeks, And so we’ll carry on.

At last the wind begins to wane, Encouraging the heart.

The snow will melt, the sun will shine, And winter will depart!

Service with Integrity - Moneyback Guarantee

Therapeutic Massage Foot Reflexology Far Infrared Sauna Therapy

413-569-1782405 North Loomis St., Southwick, MA

Organic Products Used in Every SessionAMTA Member, Nationally CertifiedMA License #1527Established License #MT-211-MF

Ensuring Your Individual needs are Cared ForEnsuring Your Individual needs are Cared For


Non-profit news and events for area communities. Please send information by the 20th of the month in order to have it listed in this section. We will print as many listings as space allows. Our usual publication date is within the first week of the month.

Send to: Town Crier, Southwoods Magazine, P.O. Box 1106, Southwick, MA 01077, Fax: (413) 569-5325 or email us at [email protected].

ITALIAN PASTRYAND COFFEE SHOP

10 Wintonbury Mall, Bloomfield, CT 06002

860-242-3440

610 College Highway, Gristmill PlazaSouthwick, MA 01077

413-569-2250

The Bot ta Fami ly • Emidd io , Carmen, G iovann i & Emidd io

SOUTHWICK ANIMAL CONTROL RABIES CLINIC

Southwick Animal Control will be holding their Rabies clinic on Saturday March 16, 2013 this year at the police department garage, 11 Depot St., Southwick, MA This year we will are pleased to have Dr. Cosgriff from VCA Southwick Animal Hospital doing our vaccinations for us. Each vaccination is $15.00. All dogs must be leashed; all cats must be in crates. Pets must be at least 3 months of age, healthy and not pregnant. A three year certificate will only be given with proof of a vaccination in the past 12 months. All other vaccines will be a one year certificate.

This year Southwick Animal Control has also decided to help out with some of the pets belonging to lower income families in town. They will be giving rabies vaccinations free of

Come to the hills to cure your cabin fever and spend a day in the country, on Saturday, March 16, 2013 as the Chester Hill Association sponsors its 28th Annual Maple Fest, from 9 am to 3 pm on the Skyline Trail in old Chester Center.

Begin the day with a traditional Country Breakfast consisting of pancakes, scrambled eggs, ham, juice, coffee and featuring local maple syrup. Breakfast will be served continuously from 9 am to noon at the First Congregational Church. There will be local artisans and crafts people at the schoolhouse across from the First Congregational Church. At noon the Pioneer Valley Fiddlers are scheduled to be playing at the church. There will be farm animals, a working fire truck and furniture made from tree branches. Throughout the day there will be wagons pulled by draft horses and tractors that will carry guest back and forth to

High Meadows Sugarhouse to observe the production of maple syrup.

Latecomers to the Maple Fest can still enjoy coffee, soft drinks, hot dogs, hamburgers, fries and the famous Chester Chili from the food cart throughout the day. Also, there will be a raffle for prizes that include unique local products and events.

28TH ANNUAL MApLE FESTON CHESTER HILL

charge to town residents that are on WIC, hold a valid EBT card, or a senior citizen that is income eligible. These residents can have up to 2 (two) pets belonging to them personally vaccinated for free. Please contact Tracy at 413-569-5348 ext 649 from 9 am - 1 pm Monday - Friday to apply for your certificate. You must have proof of valid WIC, EBT or eligible income. This is open to Southwick residents only.

3Rd ANNUAL HOME & BUSINESS SHOW

The 3rd Annual Home & Business Show will be held on Saturday April 6, 2013. The event will be at Town Hall at 454 College Highway in Southwick. The Show is free and open to the public from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

The Show in 2012 had more than 35 exhibitors including many that exhibited at the 2011 Show. For more information visit www.southwickma.info for an information packet or pick up a packet at the EDC kiosk outside of the Town Clerk’s Office at Town Hall. Questions can be directed to: [email protected]

• Kitchen Installations• Bathroom Remodeling• Window & Door Replacement• Custom Cabinets and Built-Ins

• Drywall, All Phases• Acoustic Ceilings• General Carpentry• Ceramic Tile

413-569-0247 • 413-530-2515HIC #165775

All Types of servicesfor The Homeowner & General contractor

TENEROWICZ

CONSTRUCTION

SERVICES

• HOME IMPROVEMENT SPECIALIST


Bell’sCatering

Bell’sCatering

Bell’s

ByLauraCatering

LauraCateringByLauraBy

Parties from 20-200 ~ Menus for every budget [email protected]

Chef Laura Perrier 413-667-3413

ITALIAN PASTRYAND COFFEE SHOP

10 Wintonbury Mall, Bloomfield, CT 06002

860-242-3440

610 College Highway, Gristmill PlazaSouthwick, MA 01077

413-569-2250

The Bot ta Fami ly • Emidd io , Carmen, G iovann i & Emidd io

Looking to avoid the costsof divorce litigation?

Try a Divorce Petition.~ Learn why this procedure may work for you. ~

Law Offices of Patricia Hebert, P.C.Offices in Blandford, Westfield, and Agawam

(413) 562-1700 or [email protected]

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

IIIIIIIIIIIIIII

IIIIIIIIIIIIIII

569 -12819 Industrial RoadSouthwick, MA

C.O.D. Fuel Oil / ServiceMODERN OILDependable Service Volume Discounts

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

A TRIBUTE TO TyLER gRANFIELdA tribute to Tyler James Granfield is planned for April 6,

2013 at 3 pm at The Cove 90 Point Grove Road Southwick, MA. There will be Food, Balloon Release, Kids Activities and Raffles. Tickets are $20, kids 12 and under are free. Benefits: STGRHS & WVTHS Scholarships, Southwick Animal Shelter & Southwick Food Pantry. For more information or to buy tickets call Chris Granfield at 413-569-6104 or email: [email protected]


Call Now For Your 2012

Tax Appointment

Tax Planning • Tax Preparation - Business/IndividualQuick Books Pro Advisor

Looking For an Accountant • Starting a New BusinessComprehensive Financial Planning*

* Retirement Planning • Long Term CareIRAs / Mutual Funds / *Rollovers / *529s / College Planning

“MORE THAN A BUSINESS”Certified Public Accountant & Investment Advisor Representative

Certified for Connecticut Partnership for Long Term Care

860-653-0734

34 East Granby Rd., Granby, CT [email protected]

www.schoenrockcpa.com*Securities offered through H.D. Vest Investment ServiceSM, Member SIPC,

Advisory services offered through H.D. Vest Advisory ServicesSM,6333 N. State Highway 161, Fourth Floor, Irving, TX 75038. 972-870-6000


Gristmill Plaza, 610 College Hwy • Southwick, MA

Advertise inSouthwoods... offering the combination

of DIRECT MAIL andEFFECTIVE AD DESIGN

for ads that WORK!

LOCALLY OWNED FOR OVER 33 YEARS!

Office: 413-569-0266 • Fax: 413-569-5325

FIREWOODCUT & SPLIT

Seasoned & Green • Log Truck Loads7+ Cord • Guaranteed Volume

40 Years in the Business!

Bill: 413-537-0870 • Evan: 413-262-2808

David Sutton“Someone you can trust”

Business: 413.569.2345 • Cell: 413.478.7748

License: BU119586

SUTTON HEATINGHigh EfficiencyHome Heating

NCCHp MARCH 2013 UpdATE

Our 5th Annual Ice Harvesting event took place on Saturday, February 2nd. The weather was perfect and the ice was thick! Thank you all who came out to enjoy the day.

During the winter months when the museum at the drum shop is closed we’re busy working on ideas and exhibits for the coming season. One of the upcoming exhibits will focus on the history of photography and cameras. If you have old cameras, photography equipment or photographs you are willing to lend to NCCHP for the exhibit, please contact us. Also, if you are interested in working on researching, pulling together and setting up the exhibit, we are always looking for more volunteers! To learn more or discuss further, please call 413-357-8814 or e-mail us at [email protected] .

The NCCHP museum at the Drum Shop is located at 42 Water Street in Granville and is open during winter months for tours by groups of ten or more by appointment only (call 413-357-8814).

TREE, SHRUB & pLANT SALEIt’s time to think spring and order your springtime

plantings. The Hampden Conservation District is offering a wide variety of evergreen, deciduous trees and edibles, shrubs, perennials, groundcovers, and herbs all suited to grow well in our area. Order early! Supplies are limited. Orders must be received by Wednesday April 10, 2012 for pickup on Saturday, April 27, 2013 from 9:00 am to 12 noon at the Big E Fairgrounds, Massachusetts Building. Visit our website www.pioneervalleyconservation.org to download a catalog, view color photos of the plants for sale or order ONLINE using PayPal or credit cards. Questions or more information please contact Julie Meyer at 413-230-7722/[email protected]

Follow the sale on Facebook for specials and online raffles! (find us at “Hampshire Hampden Conservation Districts”

Visit us at WWW.southwoodsmagazine.com


• SpecializinginAllTypesofGeneralRepair

• LatestDiagnosticEquipment• AirConditioningSpecialist

CLARK’S AUTO REPAIRLocated at 642 College Highway, Southwick, MA 01077

(413) 569-3648 Rich Clark

ALAN L. FERRIGNOATTORNEY AT LAW

100 Main Street Agawam, MA 01001

(413) 786-9454Fax: (413) 786-9084

Email: [email protected]

FIREWOODCUT & SPLIT

Seasoned & Green • Log Truck Loads7+ Cord • Guaranteed Volume

40 Years in the Business!

Bill: 413-537-0870 • Evan: 413-262-2808

“THE HISTORy OF THE NEW ENgLANdMApLE SUgAR HARvEST”

The Southwick Historical Society with host “The History of the New England Maple Sugar Harvest” with Dennis Picard. Mr Picard is a noted museum professional and Director of Storrowton Village Museum in West Springfield. This entertaining talk will be held on Thursday, March 21 at the Christ Church United Methodist,

Fellowship Hall, 222 College Hwy, at 7 pm. Please join us for this free and informative evening.

CORNEd BEEF & CABBAgE dINNERThe VFW Post 872 on Point Grove Road, Southwick, MA

will be having a Corned Beef & Cabbage Dinner for St. Patrick’s Day on Saturday, March 16th from 4 pm to 7 pm.

Adults $12 donation, Children under 12 years $6 donation. For more information call 413-569-9022.

CORNEd BEEF SUppERFr. Thomas Shea Council Knights of Columbus will sponsor

a Corned Beef Supper on Saturday March 16th at 6pm at Our Lady of the Lake Church, Fr. Shea Hall. Menu includes Corned Beef & cabbage, potato, carrots and bread. Age 13 - adult $8, Age 6-12 $5, under age 6 free.


NEEDTO Send A Fax?

24 HOUR RECEIVING FAX SERVICESEND/RECEIVE MONDAY-FRIDAY 9AM TO 5PM

AVAILABLE AT SOUTHWOODS PRINTING610College Hwy, Southwick, MA ~ Office: (413) 569-0266 Fax: (413) 569-5325

COUNTRY PEDDLER

CLASSIFIEDS

Startingat $550

CLASSIFIEDS

CAll TODAy 413-569-0266

TO ADVERTISE

CAll TODAy 413-569-0266

14 Clifton St.Westfield, MA

413-568-8811• Jump Starts• Lock Outs• 24 Hour Towing

• Flat Tires• At Home Battery Service

FIREWOOd AvAILABLE FROM TROOp 114

Troop 114 has firewood available at self service boxes on Powdermill Rd., South Longyard Rd., and Granville Rd. All Monies from the sales have supported uniforms, equipment and summer camp for the past five years. Firewood is sold for $5 per bundle or 5 bundles for $20.

The scouts run this operation with their leaders and have learned entrepreneurship, time management, team work, safety, and countless other work ethics and life lessons.

Thanks for supporting Southwick Troop 114. For more information about scouting or firewood call Andy 413-348-7650 or Todd 413-222-6885.

March 2013

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

I’m sure you’re excited that Spring will soon be here as we say good-bye to a winter that left us with one of the big-gest storms in recent years. February marked a number of caucuses and com-mittee meetings. I met with a number of my committees and colleagues to vote on rules and discuss agendas for the legis-lative session. Recently filed legislation

was assigned to the appropriate committees that will conduct hearings on these bills. I’m looking forward to working on is-sues concerning bonding, state expenditures, labor and public safety. There will be hundreds of bills before each committee and a busy session of hearings. If you’re concerned about cer-tain bills that have been filed, attending committee hearings and becoming involved in the process is a great way to make sure your voice is heard. If you’d like more information about that process please contact me.

I’ve been regularly speaking and meeting with business owners and citizens in our district regarding the Governor’s proposed tax plan. The resounding message from people throughout the district has been one of concern about the abil-ity to provide for themselves and families if they are burdened with higher taxes. I had the opportunity to speak with a num-ber of business owners regarding legislation that is impacting their ability to hire and more importantly maintain their work-force. Business owners are still citing trying times and discuss-ing ways to create jobs and prevent layoffs. Local Chamber of Commerce’s have also expressed their concerns regarding the damage the increased tax proposal will do to struggling employers and working-class people. The state budget has in-creased by over 25% in just 5 years. It’s time to rein in spending and focus on getting people back to work. I’ve put forward sev-eral pieces of legislation to curb wasteful spending and reduce the fraud and abuse in the system.

Thank you for allowing me to proudly serve as Your Rep-resentative. Please call me with any concerns. My home tele-phone number is (413) 569-5188. I’m always available!

Sincerely,

Nicholas Boldyga, Representative

Please visit my website www.NickBoldyga.com for more information

By State Representative Nicholas Boldyga

TAKE-OUT RESTAURANTGrilled Sandwiches • Fresh SaladsNorthern Italian Gourmet Entrees

365 College Highway, Southwick, MA 01077

413-569-9520

Jeff BerardStump GrindinG

Specializing in Hard-to-reacH areasClean-ups available • Fully insured

Home: (413) 569-6613mobile: (413) 478-6881

You have the Power to Donate Life.

Register as an Organ and Tissue Donor

www.DonateLifeNewEngland.org


413-569-0266Gristmill Plaza, 610 College Hwy.,

Southwick, MA 01077

PRINTING

For All Your Printing Needs

413-569-0266

COUNTRY PEDDLER

CLASSIFIEDS

14 Clifton St.Westfield, MA

413-568-8811• Jump Starts• Lock Outs• 24 Hour Towing

• Flat Tires• At Home Battery Service

GOODS & SERVICES

ART SALE AT STudio of cARoLyn AvERy. Oil, acrylic & watercolor paintings, from huge to small! View by calling 413-569-0384. Also some crafts & houseplants.

ART

RENTAL

BuSinESS SpAcE - For Rent 642 College Highway, 1200+ square feet. Available March - 413-568-3571

SouThwick - A one bedroom on the first floor is available May 1st. No Pets. $575.00 Price includes Heat. Call 413-569-5557

HELP WANTED

TRApRock dRivEwAyS built & repaired. Gravel, loam, fill deliveries. Tractor services, equipment moved, York Rake. Bill Armstrong Trucking. 413-357-6407.

BASEBALL cARdS - Old, Mint Condition. Great gift for kids & grandkids for collecting. 1000 cards $20.00 Call 413-998-3248.

Avon cALLinG - Looking for an AVON representative? Contact Christy Cox by email at: [email protected] or call 413-568-8082 evenings.cREATivE cRiTTER cuTS: Southwick, MA. Certified by the National Dog Groomers Association of America. Call for appointment 413-569-0391.ShAw LoGGinG & fiREwood For all your Firewood needs, cut-split & delivered or Log Truck Loads & 1/2 Log Truck Loads (4cd +) 413-357-8738

hELp wAnTEd: TExTiLE fABRicAToR / inSTALLER - Part time with Full time potential. Immediate openings available. Must have knowledge of power tools, mathematic skills, and general knowledge of construction safety procedures. Valid Drivers’ license and reliable transportation a must. Apply in person only to: Leisure Time Canvas, Inc. 140 Norman Street West Springfield, MA Mon-Fri 10:00 am - 3:00 pm

hELp wAnTEd: SEwERS - Part time/flexible hours. Immediately openings available/experienced sewers only. Creativity and appreciation of the aesthetic aspects of working with textiles a plus. Apply in person only to: Leisure Time Canvas, Inc. 140 Norman Street West Springfield, MA Mon-Fri 10:00 am - 3:00 pm

Angelo’s Barber Shop

Quality Mens Grooming

513 College Hwy.Southwick, MA

Walk-Ins welcome orCall for appointment

413-519-9734 or 413-569-6665

Tues & Thurs 9-5, Wed & Fri 9-7, Sat. 8-1

Back in BusinessSPECIAL

We’ve RE-OPENED!

$2 OFF WITHAD

P Driveways PlowedP Scrap MetalP Rubbish Removal

P Clean-OutsP Junk Car RemovalP Odd Jobs

FREE ESTIMATES

CELL: 413-237-7148

Jeff BerardStump GrindinG

Specializing in Hard-to-reacH areasClean-ups available • Fully insured

Home: (413) 569-6613mobile: (413) 478-6881

You have the Power to Donate Life.

Register as an Organ and Tissue Donor

www.DonateLifeNewEngland.org

BASEBALL cARdS - Old, Mint Condition. Great gift for kids & grandkids for collecting. 1000 cards $20.00 Call 413-998-3248.

southwoods magazine march 2013 journal for country living

Documents