BHS girls get a lesson in self defense - The Sentinel

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PAGE 6 Editorial THE SENTINEL • THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2012 OPINION Save a life, become an organ donor If you have yet to make a New Year’s resolution, here’s an easy one to make and keep in 2012: Become an organ donor – it’s easy to do and only takes a few moments of your time. Your decision to become a donor could make a difference in the life of another. As one donor, you can help more than 50 people in need of organs or tissue, according to Dr. George Lipkowitz, medical director, Transplant Division, Baystate Medical Center. Even though hundreds of thousands of people have provided the gift of life through a commitment to organ donation, there is still a critical need for organ, tissue, marrow and blood donation. More than 112,000 people are on the nation’s organ transplant waiting list and, on average, 18 patients die each day while awaiting an organ. Making your wishes known is easy. Potential donors need only to sign a donor card or indicate their wishes on their driver’s license or register online at www.donatelifenewengland. org/register. However, while a signed donor card, online registration and a driver’s license with an “organ donor” designation are legal documents, organ and tissue donation should always be FROM OUR FILES by Cliff McCarthy From 70 Years Ago (January 23, 1942): HOUSE BURNS AT TURKEY HILL “The 14-room homestead on the farm owned by Jewell H. Knight of Wellesley Hills, formerly of this town, in the Turkey Hill district, and occupied by William T. H. Tucker and family, was burned to the ground Friday morning in a fire fanned by a brisk wind. The fire department responded to a call from a neighboring farm, but were able only to save the barn and outbuildings. discussed with family members prior to any donation. Dr. Lipkowitz noted believing you are too old to become a donor is a common myth. He said anyone, regardless of age, should consider themselves as a potential donor. Your medical condition at the time of death will determine what organs and tissues can be donated. The good news to report is that in October 2011, Donate Life America announced a significant milestone had been achieved with 100 million organ, eye and tissue donors being registered in the United States. On average, nearly 8 million people join a state donor registry each year, with a majority (97 percent) joining through state departments of motor vehicles. However, because the number of transplant patients continues to rise, there is still a critical need for organ, tissue, marrow and blood donation. As a result, a new national goal has been set to register 20 million additional donors by the end of 2012. While great strides have been made in educating the public about deceased donations, there are many factors contributing to a decline in available organs, especially kidneys, as a more safety-conscious public results in fewer accidental deaths. Today, more and more people are making a difference in someone’s life The fire was apparently caused by a defective chimney and broke out in the upper part of the two-story struc ture. Mrs. Tucker discovered the fire and woke her husband, who works nights at the Monsanto Company. Without delaying to dress, he ran to the Bobowiec farm for help, but the house so quickly filled with smoke that all they could save was a small amount of clothing, thrown out a window -- and two kittens. The re mainder was a total loss, there being no insurance. Besides the loss of all household goods, the fire destroyed a large quantity of canned goods which Mrs. Tucker had put up, also recently purchased potatoes and ten pounds of sugar, the latter not very easily replaced these days. The six children were all at school at the time of the fire. The building was partly covered by insurance. The place is a well-known landmark. The earliest known owner was Joseph R. Gould, father of Hen ry R. by becoming a living kidney donor, offering a child or adult in western Massachusetts an alternative to waiting on the national transplant list for a kidney from a deceased donor. Those altruistic donors will be donating one of their two healthy kidneys, and after the transplant surgery will resume normal, active lives. There are several benefits for a patient who receives a kidney from a living donor, including a higher success rate, a better genetic match which lessens the risk of rejection, and the transplant surgery can be scheduled at a time that is convenient for both the donor and the recipient. Deciding whether you want to be a living kidney donor involves careful consideration. All potential donors must be in good health and before being accepted as a living donor will undergo a number of medical tests by the transplant team to make sure they are a suitable candidate. Living kidney donors must be over the age of 18 and have a blood type that is compatible with that of the recipient. To learn more about becoming a living kidney donor, call Baystate Medical Center’s Transplant Services at 413-794-2321. To learn more about organ and tissue donation, contact LifeChoice Donor Services at 800- 874-5215. Gould of Jabish street. Mr. Gould sold to Seth J. Bennett, whose daughter married Charles S. Knight, while the latter’s son, Jewell B. Knight, now a retired professor from Harvard College, is now the present owner.” From 40 Years Ago (January 20, 1972): SENTINEL TO EXPAND THROUGH MERGER “A joint announcement by E. Lee, Thomas A., and Patrick H. Turley of Pioneer Enterprises, Inc. and Peter M. Dearness, editor-publisher of the Sentinel, announced a merger effective January 1, 1972. Pioneer En terprises, Inc., is the parent organization of a number of weekly newspapers in this area including The Palmer Journal Register, the Ware River News, the Stafford (Conn.) Press, the State Line Shopping Guide, and the Ludlow Register. PLEASE SEE FILES, PAGE 7 Letters Weapons modernization enhances the horrors of war Dear Editor: My dad was a veteran of WWII of which he made two combat jumps being enlisted in the 101st airborne division. I recall him telling me that they often fired their rifles at the enemy in hopes of keeping them at bay, or in other words, keeping some distance between them. He also was explicit in saying he hoped he did not hurt anyone. And house-to-house combat was something that he wanted to avoid. My point is today’s soldiers have at their disposal highly sophisticated weaponry which allows them to see the effect of the actions taken first hand. Night vision goggles and powerful scopes bring the war up-close and personal. And much of the missions in these latest Mid Eastern conflicts require dwelling-to-dwelling intrusions. No war is a cakewalk but modern weapons leave little doubt about the results and therefore magnifying negative traumatic feelings the combatant encounters. Maybe our implements of destruction have out-paced our ability to reconcile the behavior of war with our wanting for compassion among our fellow man. Sincerely, End texting and driving Dear Editor: Turley Publications Letters to the Editor Policy Letters to the editor should be 350 words or less in length. No unsigned or anonymous opinions will be published. We require letter writers to include his or her town of residence and home telephone number. We must authenticate authorship prior to publication. We reserve the right to edit or withhold any submissions deemed to be libelous or contain unsubstantiated allegations, personal attacks, defamation of character and offensive language. All unknown or alleged facts and quotations offered by the author need to cite credible, unbiased sources. Send letters to: Sentinel Editor Aimee Henderson, PO Box 601, Belchertown, MA 01007, or via email to ahenderson@ turley.com. The deadline for submissions is Friday at 5 p.m. Bill Paul Chicopee, MA I’m very pleased to see this addressed in our local paper as a reminder to citizens of our community. Recently, while traveling between Belchertown and Granby on 202 I was nearly rear-ended by a woman who was texting and driving. She left skid marks on the road from her last minute braking to avoid hitting me. I swerved onto the shoulder to get out of her way when I heard the tires skiding. I was shaken and furious - I was driving my four-year-old to daycare when this happened! Are we really willing to hurt others- children included, or change someone’s life forever, just to send someone an “OMG!” or status update? Is that REALLY worth it? Michelle Charron Belchertown, MA Belchertown, Granby & Amherst The Sentinel is published every Thursday by Turley Publications, Inc., 24 Water St., Palmer, Mass. 01069. Telephone (413) 283-8393, Fax (413) 289-1977. PATRICK H. TURLEY Publisher KEITH TURLEY Executive Vice President DOUGLAS L. TURLEY Vice President of Publications EDITOR Aimee Henderson ADVERTISING SALES Debra Dodge Maureen McGarrett SPORTS EDITOR Dave Forbes SOCIAL MEDIA @ The Sentinel WEB www.belchertownsentinelonline.com www.turley.com Turley Publications, Inc. cannot assume liability for the loss of photographs or other materials submitted for publication. Materials will not be returned except upon specific request when submitted. www.facebook.com/BelchertownSentinel
FILES | FROM PAGE 6 The merger will allow the Sentinel to expand its local news and advertising coverage as well as increase circulation. For the past eight years the Sentinel has been published at the Quabbin Printing Co., Inc. facilities in Belchertown. Computer typesetting was adopted by the paper last spring. The new move to the Palmer plant will improve all aspects of the production of the paper as well as making use of the printing equipment for commercial jobs. The art, photography and circulation facilities will also be of great benefit in supporting the Belchertown plant. In commenting upon the merger, Tom Turley stated, ‘This move can only prove beneficial to the advertisers and readers of the Sentinel. Pete Dearness will continue to have complete independent control over the editorial and news content of the Sentinel. We hope to assist in the expansion and increased circulation of this wellestablished Belchertown weekly.’ The Sentinel was started in 1915 by Lewis B.H. Blackmer who began commercial work in 1903. Peter M. Dearness, editor since 1964 stated, ‘JoAnne and I are more than satisfied that this move is a very good move for Belchertown, The Sentinel and its readers and advertisers. The modern and expanded facilities of the Palmer plant will allow us to accomplish many of the ideas that we were not able to ac complish without additional mechanical and personnel assistance’... The Sentinel’s office and shop will continue to be located at Federal St. in the Quabbin Village shopping center and all news and advertising copy will still be FOOD DRIVE THE SENTINEL • THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2012 PAGE 7 accepted at this address as will printing.” COMMUNITY ACTION TO DISCUSS GROWTH PROBLEMS “Faced with the burgeoning problems of wall-to-wall houses, schools with split sessions, and water polluted from their own sewers, many once small communities have cried “Enough!” Strict zoning laws and building codes have forced the builders to spread out in ever-widening circles from the cities. Now they have reached Belchertown. With low land values, archaic zoning laws, no master plan, it is a town divided against itself into little sections, and in short, is a sitting duck. Granted there are sixty square miles to develop, but the developments are crowded into small areas, chosen not for a good location but because someone wants to realize a profit on a certain parcel of land. Facing this problem ten to twenty years later than most of the surrounding communities, we are in the unique position of learning from the others’ mistakes. A master plan is being considered, but will come too late to prevent most of the problems presented by the coming sub-divisions. Zoning by-laws must protect the town in the interim. Two opposing views -- one of strict controls with a Board of Review to pass on sub-divisions, and the other of general controls based on a natural selection of business and residential zones - - were described by David Sussman and John Sullivan at the January meeting of the Com munity Action Organization. Both men agreed that all individuals of the community must become involved in planning for the future of the town.” Turley Publications Letters to the Editor Policy Letters to the editor should be 350 words or less in length. No unsigned or anonymous opinions will be published. We require letter writers to include his or her town of residence and home telephone number. We must authenticate authorship prior to publication. We reserve the right to edit or withhold any submissions deemed to be libelous or contain unsubstantiated allegations, personal attacks, defamation of character and offensive language. All unknown or alleged facts and quotations Belchertown CAN COMMUNITY AID NETWORK Saturday, Jan. 21 9am- 4pm Belchertown Recreation Department NIGHT TIME AT THE TEEN CENTER Join the teen center for a fun evening. Watch a new released movie, eat pizza and snacks, play pool, Rock Band or the drums! WHO: Boys and girls, grades sixth through eighth WHEN: Friday, Jan. 20 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. COST: $4 YOGA This mixed level course will introduce basic yoga postures and theories. Attention is given to breathing and relaxation along with instruction in traditional postures to build flexibility, strength and balance. This class focuses on physical movement which VACANCIES | FROM PAGE 4 Wednesday, Feb. 1. Mobile Home Rent Control Board – full member seats: This board oversees individual and general rent adjustments, as well as evictions from park accommodations. Deadline extended: noon on Wednesday, Feb. 1. Alternate Voting Member for Special Permits – Planning Board: The Planning Board has a seat open for a voting member for special permits. This position is an opportunity to learn about town government and community and land use matters the planning board considers. The alternate may vote on special permits when there would otherwise not be a quorum. To offered by the author need to cite credible, unbiased sources. Send letters to: Sentinel Editor Aimee Henderson, PO Box 601, Belchertown, MA 01007, or via email to ahenderson@turley.com. The deadline for submissions is Friday at 5 p.m. �� Items needed: High protein foods Grains Canned fruits Canned vegetables Personal goods Toiletries Locations: Town Hall Stop & Shop Checkers Market Dwight Station DID YOU KNOW? Food pantries can purchase $13 worth of food at the Food Bank with every dollar donated. So keep an eye out for Belchertown CAN! monetary cans in the local businesses all throughout town. �� For more information, go to www.belchertowncan.org, or call 413.323.4489 is moderately challenging yet soothing. You do not have to be flexible, strong, or very fit to enjoy yoga as each participant is encouraged to move at their own pace. Choose between two convenient times; Wednesday afternoons at 4 p.m. or Wednesday evenings at 6 p.m. WHO: Individuals 15 and older (parental signature required under 18) WHEN: Wednesday afternoons, 4 to 5:15 p.m. Wednesday evenings, 6 to 7:15 p.m. Feb. 8 through April 4 COST: $70 per session SAFE SITTER Safe Sitter is a medically accurate, PLEASE SEE REC. DEPT., PAGE 8 apply you must be: a registered to vote in the Town of Belchertown; willing to attend two meetings a month (second and fourth Tuesday); willing to get to know how Zoning Bylaws and public participation work. This position is used as an alternate vote on Special Permit applications when needed, and is also an excellent way to be more prepared if you want to move to an elected board position. It is jointly appointed by the Planning Board and the Board of Selectmen. The term runs from appointment to June 30, 2012. Please send a letter and resume to dalbertson@ belchertown.org, or Douglas Albertson, Town Planner; P.O. Box 964, Belchertown, Mass. 01007-0964. For additional information you may call 413-323-0407. Farmer’s gathering BELCHERTOWN - The Belchertown Agricultural Commission is holding its annual Farmer’s meeting on Saturday, Jan. 28 from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at the Town Hall. It’s a time to visit with friends and talk about farming. Anyone with an interest in food supply may attend.
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Page 21 and 22: Lady Gaels fall to Palmer By Nate R
Page 23 and 24: Where to find your BELCHERTOWN SENT
Page 25 and 26: GRANT | FROM PAGE 8 The AEEP grants
Page 27 and 28: HAPPY NEW YOU If You Visit Us For A
Page 29 and 30: Buzzin’ Town Town from THE SENTIN
Page 31 and 32: THE SENTINEL • THURSDAY, JANUARY

BHS girls get a lesson in self defense - The Sentinel

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