"Every sunset brings the promise of a new dawn in Western Massachusetts."

Word of the Week: 

Efflorescent

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Meet Gidget! 🐱

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Bub’s BBQ, a beloved family-run institution on Amherst Road in Sunderland, has announced it will close its doors after nearly five decades serving the Pioneer Valley.

The iconic restaurant, known for its smoky ribs and community spirit, has become a fixture for locals, UMass students, and alumni since 1979.

The husband-and-wife owners shared that the building has been sold, and mounting repair costs—coupled with personal challenges, including struggles with infertility—made purchasing and restoring the property unfeasible.

Despite the closure set for February 2026, they remain proud of their legacy and are determined to find Bub’s a new home.

Catering services will continue uninterrupted, so barbecue lovers can still enjoy favorites for their events.

Community members are encouraged to stop by before the move and share their Bub’s memories, as the owners promise the tradition will carry on somewhere new.

Springfield mourns the tragic loss of Juan Nieves, 57, whose body was discovered on February 14, 2026, near Clough Street after an urgent, multi-day search.

Nieves, described as nonverbal and high-risk due to dementia and other medical conditions, vanished on February 8 near Manor Court and Allen Street.

Police, aided by drones, K-9 teams, and air support, combed neighborhoods including East Forest Park and Sixteen Acres while urging residents to check their properties.

Authorities express sympathy to the Nieves family and gratitude toward all who assisted in the search.

This heartbreaking event underscores the urgent need for community awareness and support for people with cognitive challenges during severe weather.

Michael Andrew Rodgers, a 32-year-old Windsor resident, was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison for making violent threats online and attempting to extort disability benefits from the Social Security Administration through intimidation.

U.S. District Judge Mark G. Mastroianni issued the sentence in Springfield, along with three years of supervised release.

Rodgers first targeted a Springfield medical practice in April 2023, posting threatening messages and a firearm image to their Google page, forcing staff to heighten security and leaving employees fearful for their safety.

In April 2024, Rodgers escalated his actions by submitting graphic, violent threats to the Social Security Administration, demanding immediate approval of disability benefits and threatening mass violence against federal employees and schools.

The explicit nature of Rodgers’s threats prompted a robust federal investigation, leading to his conviction and prison sentence.

Aries: Passion heats up your relationships, and work ambition gets noticed; manage stress and spending for steady progress.

Taurus: Career demands your focus, but romance could spark through work ties; prioritize wellness and seize promising financial opportunities.

Gemini: Love blossoms with open communication, while creativity boosts your career; keep routines balanced, and avoid risky spending.

Cancer: Home and family come first—foster harmony and persistence, and guard emotional health by budgeting wisely.

Leo: Speak your heart this week; career advances through networking and vibrant energy, while finances trend positive.

Virgo: Focus on self-care and growth; career success comes from detail, and solid habits protect your health and wallet.

Libra: Romance is on the rise, with harmonious career moves and a focus on stress relief yielding financial gains.

Scorpio: Reflect on your needs; vulnerability deepens love, while strategic planning secures both career and finances.

Sagittarius: Embrace adventure in both love and work, as new experiences bring success and uplifting finances.

Capricorn: Career achievements loom large, with steady progress in love, health, and finances as you manage stress wisely.

Aquarius: Social connections may spark love and job opportunities; plan finances carefully and nurture healthy routines.

Pisces: Creativity and intuition guide relationships and career—follow your instincts, rest well, and spend thoughtfully.

This vibrant bird’s-eye map from 1875 reveals Westfield, Massachusetts as it blossomed from rural farmland into a lively manufacturing center.

Created by O.H. Bailey & Co., the hand-tinted lithograph presents orderly streets, riverside factories, church spires, and a patchwork of homes, all bordered by clusters of trees and open fields hinting at the town's agricultural roots.

The Westfield River flows through the heart of the scene, crossed by bridges that connect growing neighborhoods and bustling mills.

By 1875, Westfield’s population neared 7,000, its economy powered by buggy whip manufacturing, cigars, bricks, and textiles—earning it the enduring nickname “Whip City.”

Points of interest, from civic centers to the racetrack near Main and Meadow Streets, are clearly marked, providing a fascinating glimpse into the daily life and rapid progress that still echoes in the modern street grid.

Greater Springfield and Pioneer Valley are buzzing with events this February.

Hockey fans can catch the Springfield Thunderbirds face off against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins at the MassMutual Center on February 18, promising AHL action and weekday promotions.

For live music lovers, The Iron Horse Music Hall in Northampton brings Funk Night with Beau Sasser and Glen David Andrews’ Mardi Gras sounds that same evening—ideal for those seeking energy and local nightlife.

Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary in Lenox hosts “Whose Tracks Are These?” a family-friendly afternoon of nature exploration, perfect for adults and kids curious about winter wildlife.

The Iron Horse also welcomes indie rockers The Rural Alberta Advantage on February 19, and acclaimed singer-songwriter Jonatha Brooke on February 24 for intimate concerts sure to appeal to area music enthusiasts.

Plus, Northampton’s Haze features “Dead Night” on February 24, with local Grateful Dead tribute bands delivering nostalgic, improvisational jams for passionate rock fans.

Tell us about a great place to eat!

Meet Miss Gidget!  

Gidget is an 8-year-old cat searching for a calm, loving home to call her own.  

This friendly and social girl enjoys gentle head pets and relaxing by your side, making her an ideal companion for snuggling and cozy evenings watching TV.  

Change can be tough for Gidget, so she’ll need extra time, patience, and a peaceful space to settle into her new home.  

Expect her to be nervous at first—setting up a quiet room with her litter box, food, and water will help her feel secure as she adjusts.  

Gidget comes with a personalized behavior plan to support a smooth transition and ensure her comfort and confidence grow each day.  

If you’re ready to welcome a gentle, affectionate cat into your life, call 413-781-4000 to meet Gidget and start her journey home.

Word of the Week: Efflorescent

Definition: Adjective. Bursting into bloom or flowering brilliantly—like something suddenly opening up in full, vivid beauty after waiting quietly. It can describe literal blossoms or a person, idea, or moment that suddenly radiates with life, color, and creative energy.

Example Sentence: After weeks of gray February skies, the first crocuses pushed through the snow, efflorescent and impossibly bright, reminding everyone that spring is already stirring underneath.

Origin: From the Latin efflorescere (“to blossom forth” or “flower out”), made up of ex- (out) + florescere (to begin to bloom). It entered English in the mid-1800s, mostly in scientific and poetic contexts, but it’s perfect for capturing that moment when something finally comes alive.

Here’s to all the small, beautiful things starting to effloresce around us in late winter! 🌷✨ What’s feeling like it’s beginning to bloom in your world right now?