The foundation must raise $10,000 to make the scholarship permanent.

Photo by Frederick Gore / Westfield NewsBob McKean, managing director for Stanley Park in Westfield., near the memorial stone of Ozzie the duck Tuesday,. Stanley Park's resident Muscovy Duck was deliberately killed in the park's covered bridge Nov.11. Westfield police said that a 15-year-old boy has been arrested in connection with the death of the duck and charges of cruelty to animals could be pending.

WESTFIELD – An anonymous donor has established a memorial scholarship, through the Citizens Scholarship Foundation, in memory of Stanley Park’s beloved Muscovy duck named Ozzie.

And, the CSF is hoping to make the unique scholarship permanent.

To do that, CSF must raise $10,000, President Cynthia M. Neary said.

“The donor wishes to remain anonymous but the life-long Westfield resident, like us and the administration at Stanley Park would like this to become a permanent memorial in memory of Ozzie,” Neary said.

Ozzie made Stanley Park its home for the past three years. He was killed at the park on Nov. 11 by a 15-year-old city boy who has been charged with cruelty to animals and killing a domesticated animal.

Residents wishing to donate to the Ozzie Scholarship can do so by mail to Citizens Scholarship Foundation, P.O. 382, Westfield, Ma. 01086,

The Ozzie Scholarship is unique, Neary said, noting it is the first time a scholarship has been made in memory of an animal through the foundation.

The scholarship will be awarded to a high school graduating senior who is a Westfield resident, who is a humanitarian volunteer or who will pursue a college degree humanitarian services.

The CSF was established in 1962 and has awarded a total of 5,200 scholarship amounting to $2.5 million since then.

Last year foundation awarded 141 scholarships worth a combined $101,760.

The state has not done enough to close the learning gap between poor children and their more affluent peers.

S. Paul Reville

Concerned the gap between the low and high-achieving students remain sizable, state officials are releasing a five-part proposal that calls for a variety of reforms in lower-income cities designed to help struggling students.

Test data shows the state continues to be the academic leader nationwide, but the 24 so-called mid-sized Gateway cities, which include Springfield, Holyoke, Chicopee and Westfield in Western Massachusetts, are still having difficulty ensuring all children achieve. Those who are poor, have learning disabilities, are racial minorities and do not speak English well continue to score lower, said S. Paul Reville, the state secretary of education.

“We still have gaps that correlate with socioeconomic status,” Reville said. “What we have done is too weak.”

After a visit to Springfield’s Gerena School, Reville talked about the five-part plan to close the gap by offering more, better programs for poor children, those who do not speak English and others who are at-risk of doing poorly in school.

Some of the ideas, such as offering other services to families through the schools, have been tried, but schools in Springfield and Holyoke often end up struggling to fund the programs or cut them because they have no source of funding.

Reville could not say how the new ideas would be funded, especially with the federal budget being cut.

“As a matter of state policy we need to support it,” he said.

The first part of the five part plan will be to create an intensive summer program that would emphasize early literacy development to help prepare at-risk children in the months before they enter kindergarten, he said.

“Children come to kindergarten with one-third to one quarter of the vocabulary some of their peers have,” he said.

He praised efforts from the Davis Foundation, Springfield businesses and Springfield Schools who have worked together on the Reading Success by Fourth-Grade and the Read/Talk/Success! programs that work with families and the community to promote early literacy skills, calling it “laudable work” and said he would like to see similar programs to spread to other cities.

The plan also calls for student support councils to be developed in schools in Gateway cities. The councils would help families in trouble find resources for housing, health care and other problems so the issues do not come an impediment to their children’s learning, Reville said.

For children who are learning English, the plan is to offer pilot summer learning camps in some communities that would give students intensive instruction and extra time to acquire the language while they do not have to focus on other academic subjects, Reville said.

He said it is time to re-think the state’s expectations that children can keep pace in all their academic subjects while they are still learning English.

The plan also calls for more work to align the elementary and secondary educational system so students will be better prepared for college or a job. It also pushes for schools to continue focusing on creating innovative ideas that can be shared with other districts if they prove successful.

Construction bids to replace the nearby Pochassic Street Bridge are due early next month.

File photo by John Suchocki / The RepublicanWestfield's original Great River Bridge is framed by the new bridge as seen last year. The renovated old bridge is scheduled to reopen next week.

WESTFIELD – Weather permitting the original Great River Bridge will reopen to traffic next week but the overall project will not be complete until later.

“Great news,” said state Sen. Michael R. Knapik, R-Westfield. “It has been a long time in coming and it is a remarkable final milestone for the city,” he said.

A spokesman for the state Department of Transportation said contractor J.F. White Construction Co. of Framingham, plans to open the span next week.

But, work in the Depot Square area will continue on parks and other parts of the $77 million project that started four years ago.

The original bridge, built in the late 1930s, was closed in August 2009 for rehabilitation. A new bridge, built along side the original, opened then and has been serving the motoring public, both north and south since.

Next week’s reopening will allow traffic to flow south while the newer bridge takes motorists northbound.

Knapik and City Engineer Mark S. Cressotti said remaining work involves completion of three parks, traffic island and rotary.

“There is a decent punchlist to be completed by spring,” Knapik said.

Cressotti said “the arrival of spring should resolve all issues with the bridge and Depot Square.”

Cressotti said some confusion will continue despite the opening, targeted for Nov. 30.

Southbound traffic wishing to access side streets in Depot Square such as Union Street will experience a “confusing traffic pattern,” the engineer said.

“Once the bridge is open to traffic we will see an interim travel scenario until all work is completed,” he said.

Original estimate was around $57 million but that did not include work on the railroad viaduct and raising of the tracks to eliminate the long-standing problem faced by tractor-trailer drivers, Knapik said.

Also, additional rehabilitation was needed after work on the original bridge began, he said.

“Great River bridge was off budget because of the railroad work and then the discovery that the original bridge need addition engineering work. The railroad component cost about $13 million,” he said.

The state is expected to launch replacement of the near-by Pochassic Street Bridge next spring. Bids for that project, estimated at $5.6 million, are due Dec. 6.

That project should take 2 1/2 years to complete, residents were told earlier this year.

That bridge was closed in January, 2010 because of structural deterioration. Its closing caused a major traffic detour for residents and motorists in the ‘Drug Store Hill’ section of the city off North Elm Street.

The relocation of School Department administrative offices is scheduled for next month.

Photo by Mark M. Murray / The RepublicanBernie Lusa, head carpenter for the Westfield School Department, is seen at work Wednesday inside the new administrative offices at 1029 North Road in Westfield.

WESTFIELD – School Department craftsmen are busy creating office space in a former medical facility that will house the school administrative offices for the next three years.

“There is a lot of overhaul,” said head carpenter Bernard J. Lusa this week as he worked on framing new offices at 1029 North Rd.

The former Riverbend Medical Center at Hampton Ponds Plaza has been leased by the School Department for the next three years with two additional one-year extensions options.

The relocation, from the former Ashley Street School, is being made to clear the way for construction of a new $36 million elementary school at Ashley and Cross streets. Construction is scheduled to begin next spring.

“We are framing new walls, installing some new electrical service, some floor tiles and replacing counter tops,” Lusa said. Some plumbing upgrades and changes to the main entrance of the building will also be made.

The lease at Hampton Ponds Plaza will cost the department $2,750 per month and the School Committee last week approved $25,000 to cover moving expenses and the cost of renovation work. The plaza owner, Gem Trust of Wayland, is paying for materials for that renovation, officials said.

The relocation of school offices and the demolition of Ashley Street School will save the city an estimated $4.5 million in necessary repairs and energy improvements to the former school.

Lusa said craftsmen began renovations last week and work will continue for an estimated three more weeks.

School Director of Operations Frank B. Maher Jr. said work is not expected to be completed until at least three more weeks and that schedule will allow offices to move during Christmas school vacation.

Not all administrative offices will move to the plaza. School lunch, payroll and volunteers in Public Schools will relocate to City Hall.

The School Department has served as administrator for Westfield Area Head Start since 1985.

The Family Nutrition Program run by the School of Public Health and Health Sciences at UMass. Kelly A. Johnson reads a story to students in Westfield Head Start's West Springfield School.

WESTFIELD – The School Department will relinquish its administration of Westfield Area Head Start effective Jan. 24, turning over that responsibility to Community Action! a Greenfield regional social service agency.

Mayor Daniel M. Knapik and Superintendent of Schools Suzanne Scallion announced the transfer this week, completing an initiative that began last year when the School Committee voted to end its administrative responsibility with the federal early childhood educational program.

“This is a good move for the city and for Head Start,” Knapik said.

Scallion agreed, noting that Community Action! is headed by former Northampton Mayor Mary Clare Higgins. “Her background is in early childhood education,” Scallion said of Higgins.

Higgins resigned in September, becoming executive director of Community Action!. She served as Northampton’s mayor since 1999.

“The transition of administration for Westfield Head Start will come at the start of the second half of the school year. That is an appropriate time for this to happen,” Scallion said.

Westfield Area Head Start has been administered by the School Department here since it began in 1985. The program serves more than 200 pre-school youngsters in Westfield, Russell, West Springfield and Agawam. The program receives $1.4 million in federal funding.

Knapik said ending Westfield administration of the program is appropriate because “our city no longer has a majority of students enrolled in that program.” He said 80 pre-school youngsters from Westfield are currently enrolled in Head Start.

“Head Start is a regional program and should be administered by a regional agency,” the mayor said.

The program will continue to operate from its facility located on Southampton Road and Westfield will continue to pay for utilities at the center, Knapik said. “A nominal (rent) fee will be established for continued use of the building,” he said.

The School Committee’s decision to sever administration of Head Start followed a reported budget shortfall of about $140,000 in 2009. That deficit was later corrected but the School Committee cited concern over liability for future shortfalls.

The annual holiday tree lighting and Lanternlight Parade are set for Nov. 28 at 6 p.m.

Kelly and Tom Galanis are seen in costume in the Dickens Days event in Westfield in 2009.

WESTFIELD – The 8th annual Dickens Days will kick off this city’s holiday season Friday with the return of traditional events as well as some new activities designed to draw people to the downtown.

“The downtown is still in a sort of transition but construction is winding down and it is time to celebrate the holidays,” said Robert A. Plasse, president of Westfield on Weekends.

WOW, along with the Westfield Business Improvement District, Westfield Athenaeum, Westfield State University and the city have scheduled a variety of events and activities that will run through the weekend before Christmas.

Santa arrives Friday at 10 a.m. and will meet with children and adults at the Santa House located this year next to Amelia Park Children’s Museum at 29 South Broad St.

“This is a return for the Santa House,” Plasse said, noting that last year St. Nick met with children at the Amelia Park Ice Skating Rink.

“The house is appropriate for the activity,” said Plasse. the house is sponsored by the Westfield Kiwanis Club.

Lisa G. McMahon, director of WBID, said “Everyone is excited by the schedule developed for this holiday season.”

Mayor Daniel M. Knapik said “the holidays and Dickens Days is a special thing in Westfield. It is an all embracing cultural event.”

The annual holiday tree lighting ceremony, complete with a Lanternlight Parade featuring Dickens characters dressed in colorful costumes, is scheduled for 6 p.m. Nov. 28 at the corner of Court and Broad streets across from Park Square and Westfield Athenaeum.

New this year will be an Olde English Breakfast which starts Dec. 3 at Leo’s Gallery Deli on Main Street and Lydia’s Gathering Place on Court St.. The breakfast has been scheduled at different eating places on Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 18.

Organizers have also scheduled a Chanukah celebration with a Menorah lighting outside Westfield Athenaeum Dec. 20 at 6 p.m.. At 6:30 p.m. that night Amelia Park Children’s Museum will host a Community Chanukah party.

McMahon said one addition to the celebration features downtown merchants keeping their doors open until 8 p.m. each Thursday beginning Dec. 1.

“The emphasis is on buying local,” said McMahon. “We urge shoppers to remember the small business during their holiday shopping.”

The annual Dickens Day stroll will be held Dec. 3 throughout he downtown and at Westfield State University.

The university will also host ‘The Tale of Ebenezer Scrooge: an Illustrated Story’ at its Downtown Art Gallery at 105 Elm St. from Nov. 30 through Dec. 17. At the campus Arno Maris Gallery, the Asparagus Valley Potters Guild will host its 35th anniversary show.

The Massachusetts Air National Guard Band of the Northeast will perform a free Dickens Days Royal Music Hall Dec. 2 at Westfield State University’s Parenzo Hall at 7:30 p.m.

The Westfield Woman’s Club will host the Westfield Theatre Group’s performance of It’s a Wonderful Life Dec. 2 at 7:30 p.m..

Events scheduled for the holiday celebration are listed on line at www.thedistrictwestfield.com or at www.westfieldonweekends.com .

The Knights of Columbus in Chicopee drew a record 1,100 people to its annual, free Thanksgiving turkey dinner.

The Republican / Michael S. GordonVounteers assemble to take turkey dinners to diners at the annual Open Pantry Thanksgiving Day dinner in the High School of Commerce cafeteria Thursday.

SPRINGFIELD – Thousands of the needy and the lonely benefited from free Thanksgiving turkey dinners Thursday as local organizations continued to roll out the red carpet.

Open Pantry served meals to about 200 people at High School of Commerce and sent out about 800 dinners to shut-ins and elderly, according to David J. Grant, who coordinated the dining.

“We serve anybody. If you are a millionaire and have no place to go we will serve you,” Grant said.

The guests found plenty to give thanks for.

Eighty-two-year-old Esther D. Lucia of Longmeadow recalled being in the White Hut hamburger eatery in West Springfield when the June 1 tornado barreled by, just missing the restaurant.

“I was lucky I was there,” Lucia said taking a break from volunteering at the Open Pantry Community Services Thanksgiving Day Meal at the High School of Commerce on State Street.

The biggest crowds gathered for the 21st annual free dinner offered by the Chicopee Knights of Columbus Council 4044.

It drew a record 1,100 people throughout the afternoon to its Memorial Drive banquet hall. About 250 volunteers, including the Lacroix family, served more than two tons of donated turkey between noon and 2 p.m.

Dennis Lacroix, 60, said preparation began Monday and the turkeys went into the ovens at 3 a.m. Thursday. The Knights also made 400 meals for Kate’s Kitchen in Holyoke and 400 for the Chicopee Boys and Girls Club, and delivered about 2,000 to people’s homes, said dinner chairman Ronald R. Belair.

“With the economy the way it is, it just keeps getting tougher and tougher for people and it keeps getting bigger and bigger,” Belair said of the event.

Lacroix, who has volunteered for the last 19 years, said everyone is welcome: rich and poor, young and old, and anyone who just doesn’t want to be alone. No one in Amherst and Northampton had to be without turkey and, more importantly, no one had to be without family on Thanksgiving as a number of organizations dished up a holiday feast for all comers.

Not Bread Alone, the Amherst Senior Center and Manna Soup Kitchen offered turkey with all the fixings to anyone who needed a meal or simply wanted company on the holiday.

The kitchen at the First Congregational Church in Amherst was a family scene as Rachel Condry, a volunteer with Not Bread Alone, prepared a meal for some 60 people with her father and mother, William and Martha Condry.

A few blocks away, Amherst Senior Center director Nancy Pagano was overseeing the production of about 100 meals, as she has done for the past 37 years. About 30 would be delivered to people at their homes, the rest devoured at the Bangs Center.

“Everybody comes together,” Pagano said. “Nobody has to be alone.”

A bigger meal was cooking at Edwards Church in Northampton, where volunteers with Manna Soup Kitchen turned 29 turkeys, 22 hams, 150 pounds of potatoes and 100 pounds of butternut squash into a feast for up to 300 people and to-go orders for another 300. Stop & Shop and Big Y supermarkets donated the desserts.

In Holyoke, Kate’s Kitchen on Hamilton Street served 130 to 150 Thanksgiving meals with turkey and other dishes all donated by the Knights of Columbus in Chicopee, said Karen M. Blanchard, executive director of Providence Ministries for the Needy Inc.

“It was a great crowd. We had many, many volunteers and it turned out to be a great day,” Blanchard said in a voice-mail message.

Seventy-six people were served dinner at the Westfield Soup Kitchen, according to Edward J. Fournier, who directed the preparations.

“That’s a big, big crowd,” Fournier said, explaining that the kitchen usually sees just 50 people at Thanksgiving. He attributed the high attendance to the poor economy.

Another 30 were served free dinners at the Samaritan Inn, also in Westfield, according to Peter C. Gillis, who runs the operation.

In West Springfield, about 225 volunteers put on the 30th annual Phil Coburn Community Thanksgiving Day Dinner. Barbara A. Amsden, who runs the operation, said volunteers delivered about 450 meals and served about 750 sit-down diners. Some special guests were tree cutters from Green Bay, Wis., in the area helping clean up snowstorm damage.

“They came, had a nice dinner and left with fruit baskets,” Amsden said.

Other organizations putting on free Thanksgiving dinners in the region were Kate’s Kitchen in Holyoke, Friends of the Homeless in the Worthington Street Dining Room in Springfield and the Monson-Glendale United Methodist Church in Monson.

The Springfield Rescue Mission served more than 100 hot breakfasts in an hour early Thursday, according to its Executive Director Ronald Willoughby.

It is a tradition at the charity on Bliss Street that dates back longer than Willoughby, who has been director for 24 years, can remember. “We’re known as the agency who serves breakfast to the homeless,” he said, adding that the Rescue Mission serves four meals daily, six days a week.

Hasbro, Inc. has joined Toy for Joy as a partner.

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SPRINGFIELD – Toy for Joy registration begins in earnest next week at Salvation Army units in Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties.

This marks the 89th annual Toy for Joy campaign; jointly sponsored by the Salvation Army and The Republican, the campaign is working to raise $150,000 by Christmas eve to bring toys and gifts to children in need this holiday season.

Hasbro, Inc. is joining Toy for Joy as a partner, providing some of the toys which will be distributed. Hasbro has a long history of helping families in Western Massachusetts during the holidays and this year is no different.

The Greater Springfield Salvation Army Citadel at 170 Pearl St., will accept registrations weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. beginning on Monday. Registration dates and times elsewhere vary from unit to unit.

At the Westfield Service Center, 12 Arnold St., registration is already underway and will continue on weekdays through Dec. 2 from 9 a.m. to noon.

More than 300 Greater Westfield families, representing nearly 740 children, had registered already as of Tuesday, according to Gail P. LaGasse, director of the Westfield service unit.

“We have been going strong,” said LaGasse, adding that the need this year appears to be even stronger than last year. “I think recession always takes a toll but this seems to be hanging in,” she said.

The growing need is underscored by the Westfield unit’s Thanksgiving turkey drive which this year is serving more than 340 families, LaGasse said.

By teaming with the Toy for Joy campaign, Hasbro, The Republican and the Salvation Army bring over 100 combined years of experience managing programs that help families in need give their children a toy or game to unwrap on their holiday.

Hasbro employees will also be among the volunteers who aid the Salvation Army with registration of families and with distribution of the toys and gifts. For more information, call (413) 733-1518. To make a contribution to the Toy for Joy fund, write: Toy for Joy, P.O. Box 3007, Springfield 01102. Contributions may also be dropped off with the coupon to The Republican, 1860 Main St., Springfield, weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. through Dec. 23.

The road was expected to be closed for at least a few hours while police investigate the crash and the debris is cleared away, police said.

View full sizeRepublican staff photo by Dave RobackA Westfield police officer walks through the wreckage at the scene of a car accident on Southampton Road Friday afternoon. The road was closed to all traffic the scene is cleared.

WESTFIELD - A Friday afternoon accident on Route 10 & 202 involving a car and two tractor-trailers forced police to close the roadway in both directions and detour traffic through the city's north side, police said.

No information was available about injuries.

The road was expected to be closed for at least a few hours while police investigate the crash and the debris is cleared away, police said.

The accident occurred on Southampton Road near St. Joseph's Cemetery.

Northbound traffic was being detoured down Appremont Way, while southbound traffic was detoured at Airport Road.

More information will be posted as it become available.

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The official kick-off of Westfield’s Dickens Days, which celebrate the holidays with a month of special, Victorian-inspired events, Santa’s arrival was met with foreseeable excitement.

Manon MirabelliFrom left, Kelsey L., 5, Katie M., 2, and Andrew J. Bouchard, 3 months, of Westfield, visit Friday with Santa Claus in his house behind the Amelia Park Children's Museum in Westfield after he arrived there by fire truck. The Santa meet-and-greet kicks-off month-long Dickens Days events that celebrate the holidays.

WESTFIELD – Santa Claus made a grand entrance Friday morning atop a fire truck that carried him to his house behind Amelia Park Children’s Museum where children lined up to meet him and tell him what they want for gifts this holiday season.

The official kick-off of Westfield’s Dickens Days, which celebrate the holidays with a month of special, Victorian-inspired events, Santa’s arrival was met with foreseeable excitement from the little people who were eager to share their gift-receiving expectations.

“I want Wii Draw,” said 6-year-old Katie E. Breck, of Westfield, while waiting in line.

Her mother, Staci L. Breck, said she brought Katie to see Santa to have “something to do on a day off from school.”

While Friday’s high temperature of nearly 60 and sunny skies were not reminiscent of blustery winter days, the festive presence of Santa Claus was greeted by enthusiastic visitors, many more of whom will have the opportunity to meet with Santa until the end the day on Dec. 18.

Hosted by Westfield on Weekends, Dickens Days, said organization president Robert A. Plasse, is launched annually by Santa’s arrival in what has become a tradition in the city. The event, he added, which is sponsored by the Westfield Kiwanis Club, is in keeping with Westfield on Weekends’ mission to bring all members of the community together.

“We celebrate Westfield’s richness by bringing together its diverse peoples and cultures, by collaborating with them to produce a wide array of community events throughout the year, and by helping to promote the services and cultural opportunities that exist in Westfield to the wider community,” Plasse said. “Westfield on Weekends celebrates the people of Westfield, the many businesses and nonprofits in our community, the unique history of our city and the natural beauty of our area.”

Visit the Westfield on Weekends website at www.westfieldonweekends.com for a full calendar listing of Dickens Days events that will culminate Jan. 2 with seasonal activities at Amelia Park Ice Arena, including the big-screen broadcast of the National Hockey League’s Winter Classic.

Children can visit Santa at the museum at 29 South Broad St. until Dec. 18. Hours are Fridays, 5 to 7 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays (except Dec. 3), 1 to 4 p.m. There is no fee, but the cost of a photo with Santa is $5. Museum admission is discounted on the day of the visit.

The fire department had to remove Cooper from the wreckage with Jaws of Life hydraulic equipment.

View full sizeRepublican staff photo by Dave RobackA Westfield police officer walks through the wreckage at the scene of a car accident on Southampton Road Friday afternoon. The road was closed to all traffic the scene is cleared.

This is an update of a story first posted at 4:54 p.m. Friday

WESTFIELD - A 36-year-old New York state man escaped serious injury Friday afternoon on Southampton Road when his car was struck from behind by one truck and sent skidding into the path of another truck, police said.

The accident, reported at about 3:15 p.m., closed a section of Southampton Road near St. Joseph's Cemetery for more than five hours. Southampton Road is also known as routes 10 and 202.

Traffic was diverted down Apremont Way and Airport Road. Southampton Road remained closed Friday night at 8:30 p.m. and police expected it would be closed for another few hours.

Driver David Cooper of Rock Hill, N.Y. was taken by ambulance to Noble Hospital. His injuries were described as not life-threatening.

The fire department had to remove him from the wreckage with Jaws of Life hydraulic equipment. Police said Cooper was wearing seat belts.

According to the preliminary investigation, Cooper was heading north when he stopped to make a left turn into Westfield Spirit Shop, 440 Southampton Road. His Nissan sedan was hit in the rear by a tractor-trailer, driven by Gilberto Ferreira, 39, of Springfield.

Impact sent the car into the southbound lane where it struck another tractor-trailer, driven by James H. Ruot of Broadbrook Conn. The impact ripped open the truck’s fuel tank, and spilling several gallons of diesel fuel on the road.

The state Department of Environmental Protection was called to the scene because of the fuel spill.

The accident remains under investigation.

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Lindsey F. Pelletier is charged with allowing an unlicensed person to operate her vehicle and providing alcohol to a minor.

WESTFIELD – A 24-year-old city woman faces a Dec. 30 pre-trial conference on charges resulting from an April fatal motor vehicle accident on Cross Street.

Lindsey F. Pelletier, of 55 Woodside Terrace, is charged with allowing an unlicensed person to operate her vehicle and providing alcohol to a minor. She remains free on bail pending her court date.

Vincent A. Caputo, 18, of Westfield, died April 22 from injuries suffered in the April 16 accident. Police allege that Pelletier allowed Caputo to operate her vehicle knowing his license had been suspended.

Accidents on the Massachusetts Turnpike in central were causing traffic jams in the Worcester area.

Republican file photo

Police are reporting traffic on the major highways in Western Massachusetts is heavy but steady as motorists return home Sunday after the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

On the Massachusetts Turnpike there were no serious back-ups or accidents from Ludlow through the New York border. Several accidents in the Worcester area did create serious traffic jams in central Massachusetts, State Trooper Joseph Tetrault said.

Traffic on Interstate 91 was moving smoothly but was also heavy, Springfield troopers said.

Hasbro, Inc. has joined Toy for Joy as a partner.

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SPRINGFIELD – Parents and guardians seeking to register their children for the Toy for Joy holiday campaign may do so this week.

This marks the 89th annual Toy for Joy campaign; jointly sponsored by the Salvation Army and The Republican, the campaign is working to raise $150,000 by Christmas eve to bring toys and gifts to children in need this holiday season.

Hasbro, Inc. is joining Toy for Joy as a partner, providing some of the toys which will be distributed. Hasbro has a long history of helping families in Western Massachusetts during the holidays and this year is no different.

The most recent batch of donations tally to $955, bringing the total raised so far to $3,075. That leaves $146,925 needed to meet the goal.

Today’s list of donors include one generous reader who sent $100, along with a message to Mother Nature: “Good weather in 2012 and beyond. P.S.: Now too!”

Registration at the Salvation Army’s Greater Springfield Citadel begins today and will run through Friday, daily from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Springfield center is accepted registration by families from Agawam, Chicopee, East Longmeadow, Hampden, Ludlow, Palmer, Monson, Springfield, Ware, West Springfield and Wilbraham.

Salvation Army units in Holyoke, Westfield, Northampton and Greenfield will also be accepting registrations this week. Dates and times vary by unit.

By teaming with the Toy for Joy campaign, Hasbro, The Republican and the Salvation Army bring over 100 combined years of experience managing programs that help families in need give their children a toy or game to unwrap on their holiday. Hasbro employees will also be among the volunteers who aid the Salvation Army with registration of families and with distribution of the toys and gifts.

For more information, call 733-1518. To make a contribution to the Toy for Joy fund, write: Toy for Joy, P.O. Box 3007, Springfield 01102. Contributions may also be dropped off with the coupon to the The Republican, 1860 Main St., Springfield, weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Here’s a list of the lastest contributors: For more information, call 733-1518. To make a contribution to the Toy for Joy fund, write: Toy for Joy, P.O. Box 3007, Springfield 01102. Contributions may also be dropped off with the coupon to the The Republican, 1860 Main St., Springfield, weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Here’s a list of the lastest contributors:

We are thankful for Keegan, Kaylee, Brendan, Jack and Tyler Myers, $75
Happy Holidays from Chris and Connie, $25
Kaela Marsh, Happy Birthday and Merry Christmas, love Gramma Barbara, $20
In memory of my daughter Dottie Pelter, love Mom, $25
Miss you Ma from Lena, $10
Paul and Mary, $100
In memory of my wonderful parents, Don and Jacqueline from Terry Campfield Ianello, $100
In loving memory of Edward J. Bolow from his family, $25
In memory of Abraham, Victoria and Charles Catter from Christine and Peter, $75
In memory of Evelyn and Joseph Catter from Christine and Peter, $50
Teresa, $10
May your toy, was your wish, Merry Christmas from Chauncey, $20
Colleen and Loy, $100
In loving memory of George and Rita McDiarmid, the greatest parents and grandparents in the world, $30
Merry Christmas from Angie, Courtney, Nick, Jacob, Joshua, Samuel, Kincaed, Grammy and Papa, $25
In memory of Peg Robbins, $25
In loving memory of our daughter Deborah B., love Mom and Dad, $20
Anonymous, $25
May everyone have a wonderful Christmas season, from Helen, $25
In memory of Missy, NAS, $5
In memory of Donna Carmine, NAS, $5
In memory of Faye Tuber, NAS, $5
In memory of Maury Cocchi, NAS, $5
In loving memory of our granddaughters Katrina Lee and Krista Lynn, love Grandma and Grandad, $25
In loving memory of my wonderful parents, Ted and Alice and beloved pets, Princess, Maggie, Tasha, Change, Morris, Lucky, Meenu and Kitty, from Precious and Reagan, Merry Christmas, $25
Good weather in 2012 and beyond, PS now too!, $100
RECEIVED, $955
TOTAL TO DATE, $3075
STILL NEEDED, $146,925

The contribution is part of the Quilts of Valor Foundation, a national program founded by a Delaware woman in 2003. So far it has distributed 57,665 quilts to veterans.

Photo by Dave Roback / The RepublicanNancy Jez, of South Hadley, is seen recently with quilts from students from her quilting class. See story.

SOUTH HADLEY – Using a time-honored American art, quilter Nancy Jez and her students have found a way to express their gratitude to veterans of war.

Eleven quilts made by women in Jez’s quilting class in South Hadley are on their way to the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Canandaigua, N.Y.

The class’s contribution is part of the Quilts of Valor Foundation, a national program founded by a Delaware woman in 2003. So far it has distributed 57,665 quilts to veterans.

“When I read about the program online, I thought, ‘What a great thing for the girls to do!’” said Jez, who refers to her students as “my girls.”

She is the married mother of three sons and has taught quilting for 11 years.

Her class began working on the quilt project in July. Each colorful 55-by-80-inch quilt is worth about $200, said Jez.

“I have 18 students, and half of them decided to do it,” she said. “They picked out their own fabrics and patterns. They came in every week and also worked at home.”

Two 11-year-old girls, Katelyn Bishop of South Hadley and Hayley Moniz of Westfield, joined in. Jez, who is self-taught, said she has taught quilting to people who had never even used a sewing machine before. Katelyn is her granddaughter.

The other quiltmaker-donors are Diane Gould of Westhampton, Marilyn D’Alonzo of Amherst, Heidi Gauthier and Joyce Boisvert of Chicopee, and Anne O’Connor, Joan O’Connor, Pamela Rivest and Robin Davis of South Hadley.

After the women had pieced together the tops of their quilts, they sent the tops, the soft inside batting and the backing to professional quilter Marie Fregeau, of Westfield.

Fregeau’s job is to stitch the batting in place, using a “long-arm quilter to make elegant designs. On the back of each quilt, Fregeau also sewed a label reading: “In honor of the men and women who serve in our Armed Forces. We send you our heartfelt appreciation. Thank you for you dedication in protecting the United States of America each day and every day.”

The back also bears the name of the quilter and a line on which the hospital can write the name of the veteran who will receive the quilt.

Each quilter also made a matching “presentation case.” “Like a pillow case,” said Jez.

The class washed the finished quilts to make sure they were free of allergens and dried them on clotheslines. No electric dryers. “These are heirlooms,” said Jez.

On Nov. 1, Jez wrote to the coordinator of the local Quilts of Valor chapter to tell her 11 quilts were ready to go.

The answer came back the same day online: “That’s awesome!” wrote Marcella Pimer-Cormier of Gardner.

And so they are – quilts, quilters and veterans.

The annual Dickens Days downtown stroll is scheduled all day Saturday.

View full sizeThe Republican | Michael BeswickThe Westfield High School Choir sang classic Christmas songs and Santa and Mrs. Claus greeted children during Westfield's Christmas Tree Lighting and Dickens Days Lanternlight parade on Monday night.

WESTFIELD – Several hundred residents took advantage of Monday night’s mild weather to participate in the city's annual holiday tree lighting and 8th annual Dickens Days Lanternlight parade.

They were downtown, at the corner of Broad and Court streets. It was the second year the kick-off of holiday downtown activities was held across from Park Square Green. But an announcement from Mayor Daniel M. Knapik that the event would return to the green in 2012 drew loud cheers. Rehabilitation of Park Square Green is part of a $14.5 million reconstruction of the immediate downtown, a federal stimulus-financed project.

Many were there to see the tree lights and Dickens characters and many were there to see Santa, who set up shop in nearby Westfield Athenaeum following the lighting ceremony.

“We came to see the Christmas tree lights,” said Tyler J. Whalen, 4. “We will see Santa at Amelia Park later,” he added.

“It is just great that they actually do this every year,” said mother Heidi M. Whalen. “This is a lot of fun for kids.”

Susan L. Kopy was there because daughter Bekka Dowland, a member of the Westfield High School choir, was a part of the entertainment.

“A lot of work is going into the green and it will be very nice when it is completed,” said Kopy.

“We are here to see the tree lights and Santa,” said Vivian G. Walker, 5, who attended with her father, Robert Walker.

Sporting Santa hats, cousins Stella and Oliver, ages 7 months and 3 respectively, and Noah and Jake Galas, ages 6 and 4, made it clear they came to see Santa.

“I got my hair cut first,” explained Oliver. Everyone yelled "Santa!" when asked why they were there.

Monday’s tree lighting and parade was the second of 40 Dickens Days events during the next 30 days, explained Robert A. Plasse, president of Westfield on Weekends.

Dressed as the Spirit of Christmas Present, Plasse noted “The weather is cooperating tonight. It matches the warmth of our city and the heart of a small downtown.

“This could easily be a prelude to a future celebration because the Great River Bridge is opening this week and the revitalization of our downtown is proceeding as scheduled,” he said.

Lisa G. McMahon, director of Westfield Business Improvement District, said the tree lighting “officially kicks off our Dickens Days celebration that is designed to bring people to Westfield center.

“The Dickens characters will be here in costume again Saturday for the holiday stroll and our Olde English Breakfast that will be a feature at downtown eateries throughout the day,” she said.

“This season also marks a special focus on our downtown businesses that will now be open each Thursday night of the shopping season until 8 p.m.

Dickens Days is sponsored by WOW, WBID, Westfield State University and the city. A schedule of events is available at Westfield Athenaeum and online at www.thedistrictwestfield.com or www.westfieldonweekends.com.

This marks the 89th Toy for Joy campaign

Mark M. Murray / The Republican11/28/11 Springfield- --Maria Rivera, of Springfield ,left gets helps with her registration form for the 89th annual Toy For Joy campaign from volunteer Cesia Lopez, right, a student ambassador from STCC, as Miguel Torres of Springfield , top left gets help from volunteer Kristin Bregoli, at the Greater Springfield Salvation Army Citadel at 170 Pearl Street Monday.

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SPRINGFIELD – Scores of parents and guardians, at the rate of about 200 per hour, flocked to the Greater Springfield Salvation Army Citadel on Pearl Street Monday as registration for Toy for Joy got underway.

This marks the 89th annual Toy for Joy campaign; jointly sponsored by the Salvation Army and The Republican, the campaign is working to raise $150,000 by Christmas eve to bring toys and gifts to children in need this holiday season.

Monday’s registrants included Miguel Torres and Maria Rivera, of Springfield, who have eight children, ranging in age from 7 to 14.

The couple said the holidays wouldn’t be the same without Toy for Joy which last year brought smiles to nearly 20,000 children from Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties.

“I appreciate it a lot,” said Torres. “It helps us out big-time, it helps out a lot of people.”

“We have a full house,” Maj. Thomas D. Perks, co-commander of the Greater Springfield Citadel, said. “We are moving folks right through.”

Registration for Toy for Joy also got underway Monday at the Holyoke Citadel and continued at the Westfield Salvation Army service center.

Registrations will also be taken later this week at service centers in Northampton, Greenfield and Holyoke. Dates and times vary by unit.

Hasbro, Inc. is joining Toy for Joy as a partner, providing some of the toys which will be distributed. Hasbro has a long history of helping families in Western Massachusetts during the holidays and this year is no different.

By teaming with the Toy for Joy campaign, Hasbro, The Republican and the Salvation Army bring over 100 combined years of experience managing programs that help families in need give their children a toy or game to unwrap on their holiday. Hasbro employees will also be among the volunteers who aid the Salvation Army with registration of families and with distribution of the toys and gifts.

The most recent contributions tally $285, bringing the Toy for Joy total raised so far, to $3,360. That leaves $146,660 to be raised.

For more information, call 733-1518. To make a contribution to the Toy for Joy fund, write: Toy for Joy, P.O. Box 3007, Springfield 01102. Contributions may also be dropped off with the coupon to The Republican, 1860 Main St., Springfield, weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. through Dec. 23.

Here’s a list of the latest contributors:
Merry Christmas Janice from Peggy, $15
Merry Christmas Auntie from Peggy, $15
Happy Holidays from the Mason family, $50
In memory of Ida and Albert Godin and Stanley Durej, $25
In loving memory of Ellen C. Dandurand, husband and daughters, $10
Merry Christmas Mike, Katie, Alyssa, Russell Wilb, $20
Mr. and Mrs. Farrell, $100
Remembering the deceased members of the Frank and Caterina Cirillo family, $25
In memory of our parents Ed and Bev Moriarty, $25

RECEIVED, $285
TOTAL TO DATE, $3,360
STILL NEEDED, $146,640

A formal ceremony to mark completion of the overall bridge project will be scheduled next spring.

WESTFIELD – The original Great River Bridge will reopen to traffic at 8 a.m. Thursday, Police Capt. Michael A. McCabe said Tuesday.

But, work in the Depot Square area will continue on parks and other phases of the $77 million project that started four years ago.

The original bridge, built in the late 1930s, was closed in August 2009 for rehabilitation.

A new bridge, built along side the original, opened then and has been serving the motoring public, both north and south since.

A formal opening of both spans is expected next spring when the overall project, including the park areas, is complete.

Salvation Army units in Greenfield and Northampton join the Toy for Joy registration effort today.

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SPRINGFIELD - Salvation Army units in Greenfield and Northampton are joining the effort today in the Pioneer Valley to register families for Toy for Joy.

“We have probably had over 50 calls about it already,” said Cathy Codling, a Salvation Army member and volunteer at the Greenfield Service Center.

Salvation Army units in Springfield, Holyoke and Westfield began registration for the program earlier.

This marks the 89th annual Toy for Joy campaign; jointly sponsored by the Salvation Army and The Republican, the campaign is working to raise $150,000 by Christmas eve to bring toys and gifts to children in need this holiday season.

Hasbro, Inc. is joining Toy for Joy as a partner, providing some of the toys which will be distributed. Hasbro has a long history of helping families in Western Massachusetts during the holidays and this year is no different.

By teaming with the Toy for Joy campaign, Hasbro, The Republican and the Salvation Army bring over 100 combined years of experience managing programs that help families in need give their children a toy or game to unwrap on their holiday. Hasbro employees will also be among the volunteers who aid the Salvation Army with registration of families and with distribution of the toys and gifts.

The most recent donations to Toy for Joy tally to $398, bringing total donations to date to $3,758. Some $146,242 still needs to be raised.

For more information, call 733-1518. To make a contribution to the Toy for Joy fund, write: Toy for Joy, P.O. Box 3007, Springfield 01102. Contributions may also be dropped off with the coupon to The Republican, 1860 Main St., Springfield, weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. through Dec. 23. Here’s a list of the latest contributors:

In memory of Sabu and Pongo, Happy Holidays. $25 .
Merry Christmas to all the children from Anthony, Kaitlyn and E.J.. $20 .
In memory of my family from Annie. $25 .
For my friend Daisy Berty. $100 .
In loving memory of two special angels, Thomas J. Doyle Jr and Maureen O. Lamoureux. $50 .
Merry Christmas from Connie and Dick Brown. $50 .
Merry Christmas from Emma, Dublin and Aran. $20 .
In memory of Grammy, love Marissa. $33 .
Merry Christmas from Tiger and Fina. $25 .
In memory of Ray. $5 .
Merry Christmas from one of Santa’s elves. $10 .
Best wishes to all. $25 .
Anonymous. $10 . tO
RECEIVED. $398 .
TOTAL TO DATE. $3758 .
STILL NEEDED. $146,242 .

The Community Development post is not expected to be filled until July.

Lawrence B. Smith

WESTFIELD – City Planner Lawrence B. Smith will leave his position, including that of community development director, effective Monday, Mayor Daniel M. Knapik announced Tuesday.

Knapik said he plans to replace Smith, planner since 2000 and community development director since 2008, when Smith’s term of appointment ends on Dec. 5.

“The mayor is entitled to put his own team in place,” Knapik said of his reason not to re-appoint Smith.

City Council President Christopher Keefe called smith “an excellent city planner, someone who will be hard to replace.”

At-Large Councilor John J. Beltrandi III said Smith “is a capable planner.”

Ward 4 Councilor Mary L. O’Connell said Smith’s “expertise has been invaluable. He always considered what was best for Westfield.”

Knapik said he plans to contract with Pioneer Valley Planning Commission for 90 days to allow time to advertise the position.

“This will allow time to advertise and select a new city planner,” the mayor said.

Knapik said he will address the position of community development director “in the city’s next budget cycle” indicating that post will remain vacant until at least July 1. Smith’s current salary as planner and community development director is $84,500.

Smith is the third city official not re-appointed since Knapik became mayor in 2010.

Knapik dismissed Donald C. York as superintendent of buildings in September, 2010 and earlier this year did not re-appoint Richard A. Merchant as personnel director.

Jonathan S. Flagg was recently confirmed by the City Council to serve as superintendent of buildings and former School Department human resources director Stephen A. Hagen is serving as part-time interim personnel director.

A former senior planner for Northampton, Smith served as town planner in Palmer before assuming that position here.

A Leeds resident, Smith started his career as a planner in Belchertown in 1977.