By Phil Pothier
The autumn days are cool and clear,
The autumn nights are cold.
The trees who’s leaves were verdant green
Have turned to red and gold.
The new-mown hay is in the field,
It smells so fresh and sweet!
The geese are flying on their way,
As yearly they repeat,
The flowers all have gone to stay,
They know what is ahead!
Except for mums and astors gay,
The cold they do not dread.
Some fields of corn remain to cut,
Some wood is left to stack.
But almost all the work is done,
And we aren’t looking back!
It seems we do this every year,
And have for seasons past.
But one good thing we know for sure,
The winter will not last!
By Clifton (Jerry) Noble, Sr.
My journal keeping began the second day after graduating from Westfield High School at age 16 in June 1942. Early that morning I climbed down from my upper Pullman berth on the New York Central’s, steam-powered Lakeshore Lim-ited to go to the men’s room/ Not wanting to disturb my (widowed) mother, Minnie Emerson Noble, still asleep in the lower berth, I headed for the club car to start recording the trip in a 3 by 5-inch lined notebook. I found three men in business suits already settled there. Noise of the train’s wheels did not disturb the quiet of the car. I chose a chair at a distance but couldn’t help overhearing low voices discussing what Jay Gould (or some such person) would have done. In dim daylight I began my journal.
My boyhood friend who took me on hikes had been Philip Cole. He was thirteen years old when I was nine and lived directly west across High Street. He had nicknamed his widowed mother, Nonny. Imitating Phil I nicknamed my mother Monny. Papa died a few weeks before my 10th birthday in March 1936. At first Monny tried clerking 44 hours a week at $10 for a bi-cycle factory. Then she took a few brief house-keeping jobs, and finally made appointments to sell dresses for the Ward Stilson Company. She was successful enough to pay rent, buy food and save for the $208+ train fare to Fresno, Califor-nia. She kept in touch by letter with relatives, and her sister, Maude Kelly, suggested we come and stay with her and husband Walter. She even offered to pay for our train tickets. Not daring to expose money while traveling, Monny rolled up the bulk of her ($500) savings and put it in a cylindrical powder box with the powder on top. She was 55. As soon as she got on the train she relaxed and looked forward to four days travel-ing. She had made sandwiches so we didn’t go to a dining car until we got on the diesel-powered Scout from Chicago.
Fortunately events recorded in that first little journal were fixed enough in mind so that when I needed to describe the trip for my 2007 book California Here We Come, maps were sufficient to jog memory. The journal had been lost.
I began buying bigger notebooks (100 sheets, 200 pages), and wrote down events every few days before forgetting them. This was a big help especially with names. The habit continued un-til 1953 when survey work and other activities limited record keeping to job progress and daily expenses. In 1961 diary keeping became a neces-sity.
I rely on memory for years without journals.
In Russell town of 1949 some essential of-fices were in private houses. Half way down the south side of Main Street a side door on a wide driveway opened into the post office. Numbered boxes were stacked on the counter behind glass so postmistress Gertrude Laramie or her sister Mildred Belding had to hand you your mail. Box rent was $1.20 a year. Their sister Beatrice (third of the Mortimer “girls”) was married to Dr. Jacob Arenstam and lived directly across the street
In the house just west of the church a side door opened into the little room where the tele-phone operator managed her switchboard. Peo-ple on “party lines” were alerted to their calls by the type of ring--two or three short or one long and one short (for 11) and one long and two short (for 12). Parties in their homes had a gen-erator in a wooden box with crank under the telephone instrument. They could “crank” calls to folks on their own line or “crank” one long for the operator. Telephone wires were grounded. During a thunderstorm I stood on the school-house doorstep when lightning struck a pole up the road. The fireball zinged down the line, out my access wire and down the side of the house to the ground rod with a vicious snap.
Almost halfway down Main Street Old Westfield Road branches south. This was the route of the trolley car to Huntington. The gran-ite abutment of the trolley’s bridge can still be seen on the north shore of Stage Brook. All along the route are visible retaining walls which made room for the tracks beside existing roads. I be-lieve the line stopped running in 1926.
At the far end of the corner house Leon Coash and his wife ran variety Bridge Store. Leon also had a band which played at Todd Morden Lodge in Plainfield. That was too far away for me, but I did play guitar and sing with him for a high school dance in Huntington.
A little brook runs under Russell’s Main Street just east of the fire station. Then there was a long, two-story building. At street level Har-old Landis had his grocery store. He and family lived upstairs. He gave us a kitten but we took it back. Our remodeled schoolhouse with second floor openings at the top of walls was too dan-gerous for kittens.
East of Harold’s grocery was a house on the corner of dead-end Lincoln Street and beyond that fields and the Westfield River with its plank-decked iron bridge. In the field south of the bridge approach was a wide cut between large rocks where the railroad used to come through from its river trestle. As a child I had seen one of the little old engines parked in Woronoco, and could imagine it pulling its train into the red station on what is now Frog Hollow Road. After the Boston and Albany moved its tracks exclu-sively to the east side of the river, the old station became a dwelling for a poor family and eventu-ally a barn for Charles Peckham.
From the end of the river bridge roads branched right to the Westfield River Paper Company and left to the “new” Russell sta-tion (closed even in 1949). I was told local trains would stop if you stood out by the track and signaled. Beyond the station Carrington Road had a tarred surface for the half mile up to the Montgomery town line but north of that was gravel and spring mud. Trees, killed by forest fires from engine sparks, had not yet obscured the view downstream to the river bridge. At the town line a vertical two-foot tile caught wonder-ful water from a spring pipe (and still does).
As the air turns crisp and the leaves begin to change, fall signals more than just a shift in sea-sons—it marks the return to school, a transition that can be both exciting and anxiety-inducing for students and families alike.
As a psychologist who works with children and adolescents, I see this time of year bring both anticipation and challenges, from academic pressures to social dynamics.
For many children, the start of a new school year represents a fresh start, full of potential. But it can also stir up feelings of uncertainty, es-pecially after a long summer break or in cases where past school experiences were difficult. While some children eagerly embrace the op-portunity to reconnect with friends and tackle new subjects, others may feel apprehensive about new teachers, increased expectations, or navigating social circles.
As parents and caregivers, it’s important to recognize the range of emotions children may be experiencing during this period and to of-fer support that validates both their excitement and their concerns. Below are some insights and strategies to help children (and their fami-lies) manage the back-to-school transition with greater ease.
1. Acknowledge Anxiety and Excitement
It’s common for children to feel both excite-ment and anxiety about returning to school. For some, the excitement about seeing friends and learning new things might be overshadowed by worries about fitting in or keeping up academi-cally. These feelings are completely normal. I encourage parents to openly discuss these emo-tions with their children—validating their con-cerns while also reminding them of the positive aspects of school they enjoy.
2. Create a Structured Routine
One of the biggest adjustments during the fall is shifting back to a structured routine after a more relaxed summer schedule. Predictability can reduce anxiety, so establishing consistent morning and evening routines can help children feel more prepared for the day ahead. Encour-age regular sleep and wake times, and involve children in planning their day. For younger chil-dren, a visual schedule or checklist can help re-duce the stress of rushed mornings.
3. Set Realistic Expectations
The beginning of the school year can come with pressures to excel both academically and socially. It’s important to help children set real-istic goals for themselves—whether it’s complet-ing homework on time, making new friends, or joining extracurricular activities. Emphasizing effort over perfection helps children understand that learning and growth are processes and that it’s okay to encounter challenges along the way.
4. Prioritize Emotional Well-being
School is about more than academics; it’s also a place where children learn social-emotional skills. For some children, especially those who are more introverted or have experienced bul-lying or exclusion, returning to a large social environment can be daunting. Encourage open conversations about friendship, conflict resolu-tion, and how to seek help when needed. If you notice significant changes in mood, withdrawal, or excessive anxiety, consider speaking with a school counselor or mental health professional for additional support.
5. Practice Self-Care and Stress Management
The school year can bring a variety of stress-ors, including homework, extracurricular ac-tivities, and social pressures. Teaching children healthy coping strategies—such as deep breath-ing, mindfulness, and taking breaks—can help them manage stress. Model self-care by creating a balanced home environment where downtime is valued, and encourage participation in relax-ing activities, whether it’s reading, drawing, or spending time outdoors.
6. Stay Involved
Parents play a key role in their child’s ad-justment to school. Staying involved in school activities, attending parent-teacher conferences, and regularly checking in with your child about their experiences can help you stay attuned to their emotional well-being. It’s important to strike a balance between being involved and giving children the space to navigate some chal-lenges independently.
7. Monitor Technology and Social Media Use
As children return to school, many will also return to regular use of technology and social media to stay connected with peers. While tech-nology can be a helpful tool for communica-tion, it can also contribute to social comparison, stress, and sleep disruption. Set clear guidelines for technology use, particularly during school nights, and create open conversations about the impact of social media on mental health.
Conclusion
The fall transition can be a period of growth and learning, not just academically but emotion-ally as well. By creating a supportive, structured environment at home, validating your child’s emotions, and fostering open communication, you can help them navigate this period with confidence. Remember, each child adjusts to the school year in their own time—so be patient and celebrate their small victories along the way. If you find that your child is struggling more than expected, don’t hesitate to reach out to a mental health professional for guidance.
By providing your child with the tools they need to manage this transition, you set the stage for a successful and fulfilling school year ahead.
AUTUMN
AUTUMN
Remembering Back 1949
Oct. 2013
Russell Station, 1949. Carrington Road goes up Mountainside on right. Old railroad location eft on far side of river.
Looking southeast to river bridge, 1949
A Psychologist’s Guide
Inside the Young Mind:
Tips for a Smooth Return to School
By Dr. Simone Phillips
By Todd Shiveley
In the late 18th and especially the 19th cen-tury – in both Europe and the United States, not only were we growing out of the age of enlight-enment, but the overlapping transition from superstitious time of seances to science fiction and fantasy. Mary Shelley’s ‘Frankenstein’ (A Modern Prometheus) was published in 1818 to a world of wonder and Science; But to those living during that time, the affirmative quote, poetic and gravestone phrase ‘Rest in Peace’ – would come to suggest something far more literal than we can imagine, now!
This brave new world especially here in America, as colleges had already sprouted up, and though Chemistry replaced Alchemy and Astronomy replaced Astrology – to study Anat-omy a practicing student to become a future doc-tor needed bodies to study – and the only ones available were the few given to colleges from execution and espe-cially in states like our own Massachu-setts, where between 1800–1830 only 40% of criminals even for murder ended up getting capital punishment, bodies were so few and too far in between to educate a growing number of pursuing doctors.
The term “Resurrection men” was already prevalent and money for lower classes, too hard for some to turn down if they could handle this gruesome labor – of reading new obituaries and tracking fresh new graves – barely if even 24 hours after burial. Yet it wasn’t just always the poor who became ‘graveyard ghouls’ digging up the dead, but men of science early on were known to have taken part in this blasphemous deed, like the son of Samual Adams, a future Gov. of Massachusetts ‘William Eustis’ and John Warren, the founder of Harvard medical school.
Now despite, the need for a growing amount of doctors and ones knowledgeable enough to practice medicine, riots had begun from lynch mobs demanding an end to taking from their loved ones’ graves, in places like New York, Baltimore, & Philadelphia. Thus, in 1815, in an act to protect Sepulchers of the Dead, and take from buried bodies, places like Harvard College resorted to purchasing bodies from New York, regardless of where over six to seven hundred graves were being robbed of corpses annually.
In 1820 – in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, a young man of a respectable family had recently passed away and whose body had been stolen, but the grave was never even covered back up, leaving a gaping hole for horrified citizens to peer down into, and so as a lesson to cause public outcry it was left open all summer long,. A few months later, with a few leads, these grave diggers left a trail all the way down to Westfield, where they were caught and arrested.
Initially, after an 1829 plea by many colleges across our country that they had no choice but to steal bodies to learn and practice surgery; by 1831-32 the Anatomy Act was passed allowing the dissection of all unclaimed bodies of indi-gent, insane, and imprisoned citizens.
And though for the most part, the act of grave robbing – body snatching faded away, and through the past extra efforts of having securi-ty guards and police patrolling in and around graveyards, mortesafes (cages over a plot), and spires on high fences as you see in the New Ha-ven, cemetery near Yale.
One must also consider that besides the le-gal issue of being caught for grave robbing, this nighttime procedure and job, was also one of the real dangers of catching a disease like Con-sumption that was extremely contagious during most of the 19th century; not to mention also incredibly revolting in both smell and touch, especially when they were being moved from say New York to Harvard, Massachusetts; its not like refrigeration was a perfected technology at this point in history.
Finally, in this age where science & science fiction merged and where the thin veil of mysti-cism and the occult was no longer persecuted against but rather adored by a large percentage of our population. Where Edgar Allan Poe was famous for his poetic writings of the macabre and the strange case of Ephraim Graves from Malden, Massachusetts - whose undecayed body reached the ears of one curious Harvard student, who visited his tomb and left with a freight before retrieving his trophy.
And to once again mention the University of Yale, of New Haven, CT where the famous ‘Skull & Bones’ secret fraternity for the rich elites gather to do the lord knows what behind closed doors- is it again, no surprise why the gigantic and highly decorated, elaborate Egyptian design entrance to the next door cemetery boldly states in capital letters “The Dead Shall Be Raised”! Happy Halloween!
We all go through disappointments in life, things that aren’t fair. It’s easy to hold on to the hurts and the negative things people have said to us. We don’t realize how much that’s affecting us. It’s draining our emotions. It’s draining our energy. It’s even draining our body’s immune system. To feel younger and healthier, you must get good at letting things go.
I’ve heard it said: If you don’t heal from an emotional wound, you will bleed on people who had nothing to do with it.
How many people do you know who are liv-ing wounded? They are carrying wounds that we can’t see – wounds from what their parents didn’t give them, wounds from a relationship that ended badly. Instead of letting it go, they keep replaying it over and over. Then they won-der why they don’t have good relationships.
It’s because they’re living their life out of that wounded place. So, if God brings a new person into their life, somebody great, they can’t make that relationship work. Why? Because they’re so insecure. They don’t feel valuable attractive or desirable. Until they are emotionally healthy, they can’t develop healthy relationships. So, here’s how to begin the healing …
1. Forgive for your own sake.
A man grew up in a single-parent home. When he was five years old, his father walked out of his life and wouldn’t have anything to do with him. Like every little boy, he longed to see his dad. But his dad wouldn’t even talk to him on the phone.
In his teens, he would send his dad letters and Father’s Day cards. He wanted his father’s approval so badly, just to know he cared, but he never heard a word.
When he was in his thirties, believe it or not, his father finally agreed to see him. He was so excited. It was a dream come true. He flew to another state, rented a car, found the house, and knocked on the door. But a woman answered and said, “I’m sorry. Your father has changed his mind. He won’t see you.”
You would think this young man would be devastated. But he said, “You know what? It didn’t bother me. I had already decided that if he wouldn’t see me, I was going to let it go and move on.”
It has not stopped this young man. He’s hap-pily married, has four beautiful children, and is very successful. You would never know that he didn’t have a good childhood.
You’ve probably met people who have been through similar things as that young man. They’re bitter and angry, and they’re going through life with a chip on their shoulder. And they’re stuck in life. What’s the difference? They hold on to everything.
Maybe you feel like saying, “But, Jeff, I can’t forgive them. You don’t know what they did. I can’t let it go. They hurt me too badly.” But you’re not forgiving and letting it go for their sake; you’re doing it for your sake. That poison is contaminating your life.
2. Get the poison out.
Years ago, there was a toxic waste that need-ed to be discarded, but nobody knew what to do with it. After studying it and getting differ-ent opinions, a company built metal containers like you would see on a ship, and they sealed the toxic waste inside. They went to great lengths to make sure it was sealed very tightly, and the toxic waste wouldn’t get out. Then they buried these containers deep in the ground. They were so relieved that they finally got rid of it. They thought they were done … but forty years later, the containers started to leak. The toxin was poisoning the soil, the water, the air, making people sick and forcing people to move away.
There are some things you can’t bury and think it’s not going to affect you. You can’t bury bitterness and hatred and not have it leak out. You can’t bury anger and resentment. At some point, that poison is going to leak out and con-taminate your attitude and affect the people around you.
The best thing you can do is get that toxic waste out of you. Let it go. Give it to God. “God, I forgive them for what they did. I let go of the hurts … what I lost … what I didn’t get. I trust You to make it up to me.”
Let it go. Forgive the person who hurt you. Forgive your parents for what they didn’t give you. You can’t keep that bottled up inside and reach your potential. Better still …
3. Don’t let the poison in.
Don’t let it get in there in the first place.
Coach Rudy Tomjanovich was a great basket-ball player and became the Hall of Fame coach of the Houston Rockets. During an NBA game when he was twenty-five years old, a fight broke out between two players. Rudy ran full speed to break them up just as one of the players turned and threw a punch as hard as he could without looking.
The punch hit Rudy square in the face. It became known as “the punch heard around the world.” It fractured his skull, broke his nose, crushed his cheekbones, and resulted in spinal fluid leaking out. It almost took Rudy’s life.
Months later, while he was recovering, re-porters asked him about the player who hit him and what he thought. Everyone was waiting for his response. Surely, he would be angry and bit-ter over what was so wrong.
Rudy didn’t miss a beat. He said how he had already forgiven the player, and that he wasn’t angry or upset.
The reporters were puzzled and said, “This man almost ended your life. He put you through all these months of pain. How could you possi-bly forgive him?”
Rudy said, “I knew that the only way I could move forward was to let it go. I didn’t forgive just for his sake. I did it so that I could be free.”
Can you identify with that? Maybe you’ve had some bad breaks. Maybe you weren’t treat-ed right. It wasn’t fair.
I’m not asking you to do the other person a favor; I’m asking you to do yourself a favor. Forgive so you can be free. Forgive so you can reach your potential. Forgive so you don’t poi-son the people who are close to you.
I heard a story about an eagle that swooped down and picked up a mole that was crawling on the ground. This was unusual because eagles rarely catch and eat moles. It grabbed it with its talons and held it close to its chest. As the eagle was flying, holding the mole so close, it began to get tired and feel weak. It flew lower and lower, and finally, it had to land. Once it was on the ground, the eagle lost all its strength, fell over, and died. The mole scurried away unharmed.
It was very puzzling until a veterinarian discovered that the mole – with its tiny, little teeth – had very gently bit into the eagle’s chest, punctured the eagle’s heart, and caused it to lose blood pressure. The eagle couldn’t feel it and it held onto that mole until it eventually died.
Here’s the question: Are you holding on to something that you realize is killing you? An-ger, bitterness, guilt, shame – that’s draining the life out of you. That’s taking your joy, your peace, your creativity.
How much higher could you fly, how much farther could you go, if you got rid of the things you’re not supposed to be carrying?
You may have some buried toxins; you may be carrying some things that you shouldn’t. You can release that right now. This is your time to be free.
By Michael Dubilo
When walking among trees in a forest, take in all the majesty. Trees are the longest-living organ-isms on earth, transforming carbon dioxide into oxygen that helps us breathe. Apart from pro-viding oxygen for the planet and beauty when they bloom or turn color, trees provide us with many useful supplies. Certain species of hard-wood and softwood trees are excellent for tim-ber, making furniture, and paper. When man-aged properly, trees are a good source of renew-able energy and construction material.
Trees come in two primary categories. De-ciduous trees are the kind of trees that lose their leaves as the cold months begin. The term decid-uous means to “fall off at maturity.” Some com-mon examples would be oak, maple, and birch trees. Because they lose their leaves and their engine of photosynthesis, they store starch in their trunks and roots before winter; the starch is then converted to sugar that rises in the sap in late winter and early spring. Maple trees are tapped by drilling holes into their trunks and collecting the sap, which is processed by heating to evaporate much of the water, leaving the con-centrated syrup. Pancakes sprinkled with pure maple syrup as a morning jump start. Yummy.
Evergreen trees such as pine, fir, balsam, and blue spruce keep their leaves throughout the year. There are about 14 family groups of ev-ergreen trees, and these trees provide color in gardens and landscapes all year long. Evergreen trees are the reason why forests look so beauti-ful in winter landscapes and are used indoors as Christmas trees. Take one home, dress it up with color-loaded lights, and feel the happiness silently entering your heart. A season of wonder. Dance near your family Christmas and enjoy.
Despite the exterior differences trees tend to be similar inside. The trunk of a tree is made of cork, phloem, cambium, and xylem. The trunk of all trees is surrounded by a layer of bark which serves as a protective barrier. Below the ground, the roots branch and spread out widely; they serve to anchor the tree and extract mois-ture and nutrients from the soil. Above ground, the branches divide into smaller branches and shoots. The shoots typically bear leaves, which capture light energy and convert it into sugars by photosynthesis, providing the food for the tree’s growth and development.
Growth rings become visible when a mature hardwood tree is cut into lengths, exposing its age. Susanna and I turned several 28” high 14” diameter hardwood logs into natural pedestals, with the role of supporting drinks, flower pots, you name it. When kids come to our home, I in-volve them with something to do by asking them to count the growth rings and provide the group with its age. Fun, easy activity, recording the age of our oak logs. The age group is between 75-125 years of productive life. The closer the rings grow, the stronger the wood.
Seeing the excitement of a young child as their parents build a tree house. Choose a flat location with a group of hardwood trees mature enough to support the structure. Not too high up, just enough to enter by ladder or ramp. It reminds me of how Eagles build their tree nest up high for their young. Smiles will be filled in the assembly of a little home supported by some amazing trees.
Offering one last benefit for humanity, there is much that we can learn from trees about com-munity. A tree standing alone in a storm can be pushed over and defeated but it becomes much harder to topple where multiple trees stand. The saying goes “A triple-braided cord is not easily broken” much like trees intertwined in a wood-land. Search for those people who encourage and build you up, not tear you down with de-structive words. Susanna and I are blessed with true friends John and Pat Volante.
May the spirit of your personal, symbolic tree soar toward the sky, and may you take on some characteristics of the eagle, and rest in a solid, healthy, mature tree. The view is encour-aging.
Raising the Dead:
Medical Immorality
Let it go
Amazing
Trees
To include your event, please send information by the 1st of the month. We will print as many listings as space allows. Our usual publication date is around the 10th of the month. Email to: magazine@southwoods.info.
Our Lady of the Lake
Mystery, Comedy & Dinner
Saturday October 26th, 2024 from 5-8pm ate Our Lady of the Lake Church, 224 Sheep Pasture Road Southwick, MA. Join us for an exciting, hilarious themed show and dinner by Comical Mystery Tour Theatre. Included is a buffet by the Brass Rail. Dietary option available upon request. Tickets are $48/per person. For tickets please call or text 413-569-8440. Limited quantity available. Let us know if you have any special needs. Proceeds to benefit Knights of Columbus charitable works
Our Lady of the Lake Church
Trunk or Treat
Saturday October 26: Join Our Lady of the Lake Church, 224 Sheep Pasture Road, Southwick, for a Trunk or Treat. Welcoming kids of all ages from noon to 2pm to stop and visit multiuple trunkers offering prepackaged individually wrapped goodies. Church friendly costumes encouraged.
Trunkers must register in advance. Setup will begin at 11:30am. Contact Becky at 885-3004 or salzeralbro2018@gmail.com.
Stanley Park
“Fall Bird Walk” with
Martha Kane
Saturday, October 19, 2024, 8 a.m. – 10 a.m. The summer birds have left and migrants from further north are moving in for the winter. Join us for a leisurely walk to look for birds and contribute to an eBird count. Bring binoculars if you have some. Beginners welcome; no experience necessary. Martha (Marti) Kane grew up in Westfield but spent most of her career in North Carolina training park rangers and managing a nature preserve. She recently retired and moved back to the area. She enjoys doing eBird counts at area parks and monitoring nest boxes for bluebirds and other cavity-nesting songbirds.
The workshop will meet at the main entrance sign to the Frank Stanley Beveridge Memorial Wildlife Sanctuary located across from the recreation field. Rain or shine. Wear sturdy shoes that can get wet, a hat, sunscreen and bug spray. Nature workshops are free of charge.
Southwick Congregational Church
Holly Bazaar
Saturday, December 7, 2024, 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. The Southwick Congregational Church in Southwick, MA will be having their annual Holly Bazaar on Saturday, December 7, 2024 from 8:30 AM – 2:30 PM.
This is a call for CRAFTERS who are interested in being a part of this community event. To rent table space and receive a registration form, please call the church office at 413-569-6362
St. Joseph’s
National Catholic Church
Community Roast Pork Din-ner
Westfield, MA: Back by popular demand, St. Joseph’s National Catholic Church at 73 Main Street in Westfield is hosting a Community Stuffed Roast Pork Dinner on Sunday, October 20th at 12 noon. This community dinner will feature delicious and juicy Stuffed Roast Pork, Au Gratin Potatoes, Fresh Corn Off-the-Cob, and Apple Sauce. Homemade Apple Crisp with Ice Cream will be served for dessert. Beverages included are Coffee, Fresh Apple Cider and Bottled Water.
Tickets are $18 for adults and $10 for children under 12. For tickets, contact Cliff at (413) 977-2007. Deadline for purchasing tickets is October 17th. A limited number of Meals-To-Go will be available at 12:30pm (when buying your tickets, please indicate if you are eating with us at the Social Center or planning take-out). Parking is available at our Clinton Avenue parking lot. All are welcome! Please join us for a traditional and hardy New England Fall Dinner and raffle!
Friends of the Westfield Athenaeum
“Dinner and a Show” benefit
Friday October 18: Come out for a fun evening featuring a delicious pasta dinner and “An Accidental Wedding,” by Steve Henderson. The play is a hilarious encounter with a wouldn’t-be-groom, an irate match maker, and a tall tale like they write tall tales about. A highly interactive, roll in the aisle comedy you won’t want to miss!
The event will be held at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 60 Broad St., Westfield. Doors open at 6:00, dinner is at 6:30, with the show to follow. Dinner will include salad, pasta, meatballs and make-your-own-sundae dessert. Tickets are just $20 for the dinner and show, and must be purchased by October 11 at https://www.friendsofwestath.org/dinner-theater (no service fee for online purchases) or at the Westfield Athenaeum, 6 Elm Street in Westfield.
Salmon Brook Historical Society
Upcoming Events
Holiday Historical Photo Shoot. Saturday, Nov. 9, 10-2 (rain date Nov. 10) at the Wilcox Barn at 143 Simsbury Road.
This is your opportunity to take a family photo with artifacts from the Historical Society’s collections. The EB Goddard wagon and the Griffin sleigh will be positioned against the picturesque Wilcox Barn and the rolling hills of West Granby. A perfect setting for a holiday photo!
Volunteers will be on hand to take photographs using your device. A $25 donation is requested per group, which helps us maintain this beautiful property. Bring your family, friends, and pets and capture the moment! Photos will be taken based upon order of arrival.
Southwick Lions Club
Bottle Donations
The Southwick Lions Club wholeheartedly thanks the residents of Southwick and the surrounding towns for your continued donations of bottles and cans to support our many initiatives. Your redeemable donations support scholarships, community programs, eye and diabetes research as well as the hearing impaired and youth activities. We encourage you to drop off your bottle donations at the Southwick Transfer Station as well as at a specially-made collection bin in the Village Pizza/NAPA Auto Parts Plaza on College Highway/Rt. 202.
Southwick Civic Fund
Southwick Farm Parade
Join us for the 6th annual Southwick Farm Parade. All Southwick and surrounding areas are invited to participate as we celebrate our farming history and recreational town. The parade will take place October 19th at 2pm beginning at Interstate Building Supply and concluding at town hall. For parade registration applications can be found online at www.southwickcivicfund.com/farm-parade. All proceeds benefit the Polverari / Southwick Animal Shelter. Find out more on facebook @southwick civicfund or southwickcivicfnd.org
MOSSO
The Springfield
Chamber Players
Clarinet Quintet
Springfield, MA — The Springfield Chamber Players, named as a “2024 Difference Maker” by BusinessWest Magazine, launches its 2024-25 season with a performance by the Springfield Chamber Players Clarinet Quintet. The first of a six-concert series will be on Saturday, October 26, at 8:00 PM at 52 Sumner. Springfield’s newest performance venue is on the corner of Sumner Avenue at Fort Pleasant Avenue in Springfield, MA.
The musicians of the Springfield Chamber Players Clarinet Quintet include: Christopher Cullen, clarinet; violinists Masako Yanagita and Miho Matsuno; violist Ellen Gronningen; and cellist Patricia Edens.
The program features: Six Studies in English Folk Song by Ralph Vaughan Williams; two movements from Alexander Borodin’s String Quartet in D Major; selections from Paul Chihara’s (Duke) Ellington Fantasy; and Souvenirs de Voyage by Academy Award-winning film composer Bernard Herrmann.
Tickets are available in advance through EventBrite, and will be available at the door at 6PM on the performance night, subject to availability. (Cash or checks only at the door). Tickets purchased in advance are less expensive than door sales. The venue opens at 7PM, with refreshments available. Street parking is available, as well as parking in the lot behind the old Friendly’s.
Southwick Historical Society
Captain Isaac Damon, PremierChurch Architect of Western
Massachusetts
Thursday, November 21st, 2024 at 7:00pm. Presentation by Lee Hamberg at the Southwick Congregational Church, 488 College Highway, Southwick, MA.
Southwick Public Library
Family History Events
This October for Family History Month, we’re offering several programs. Ancestry one-on-one sessions will be held on October 22 from 5:30-7:30 and October 21 from 10am-noon. Email a librarian at southwicklibrary@comcast.net to set up a time to meet. These programs aren’t drop in, you’ll need to email us to register for a time. On November 6 at 6:00pm, Dave will discuss the ins and outs of interviewing your relatives to gather information in your research. Please register for one or both programs.
Begin your journey in your family history at the Southwick Public Library!
Southwick Lions Club
Trunk or Treat
Saturday October 26: Come visit the southwick lions club spooky (but not scary) trunk. Event will run Saturday October 26th from 4:30-6:30pm at Whalley Park in Southwick.
Jam Session
Join us for Jam Sessions every Thursday from 6pm-9pm in the Southwick Meeting House located at 222 College Highway (formerly Christ Methodist Church). For more info please call Bob Fox at 413-579-4585. Open to all and any age. All fun and no pressure. Explore your talent or come to listen to some good music.
Southwick Historical Society
A Walk with Southwick Spirits
October 19th, 2024 - Rain Date October 20th, 2024. Wak with the spirits of Southwick on October 19th between 10am and 1pm at Southwick’s old Cemetery, 322 College Highway, Southwick. Costumed interpreters will tell stories about the past lives of past residents of Southwick. Which include and inventor, a victim of a powder mill explosion and several others. Please call 413-569-0275 to reserve a time. Donations of $5 is suggested, under 12 free.
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GOODS & SERVICES
traprock driveways built & repaired. Gravel, loam, fill deliveries. Tractor services, equipment moved, York Rake. Bill Armstrong Trucking. 413-531-0498.
DELREO HOME IMPROVEMENT for all your exterior home improvement needs, ROOFING, SIDING, WINDOWS, DOORS, DECKS & GUTTERS extensive references, fully licensed & insured in MA & CT. Call Gary Delcamp 413-569-3733
RECORDS WANTED BY COLLECTOR - Rock & Roll, Country, Jazz of the 50’s and 60’s All speeds. Sorry - no classical, showtunes, polkas or pop. Fair prices paid. No quantity too small or too large. Gerry 860-668-5783 or G.Crane@cox.net
GOODS & SERVICES
Lakeside Property management - For all your landscaping needs. Mowing, new lawn installs, sod, mulch/stone installation, bush trimming, retaining walls, snow plowing/removal, etc. Serving Southwick, Suffield, Granby, Agawam, Westfield, Simsbury. Residential and commercial. Call Joe 413-885-8376. Give us a call and let us get that property looking the way you want it! Now accepting major credit cards.
