Hello Springfield! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Home protection for up to $1 million, a fashion designer’s homecoming, and touch a truck event + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Protecting your home rights: A $35 Homestead declaration can shield up to $1 million, says Hampden County Register of Deeds Cheryl Coakley-Rivera, as Rep. Bud Williams plans tougher protections against squatters -- learn how the safeguard works.
Homecoming for a fashion star: Springfield native and world-renowned designer Justin Haynes opened his JUS10H studio at Tower Square on Monday, returning home after New York and Milan runways and finding strong community support -- see the designer's return.
Expanded care options: Club Tiger opened a 15,000-square-foot childcare center at 1217 State Street, offering infant care through summer camp after a $1.5 million renovation, with a grand opening attended by Mayor Sarno -- explore the new childcare center.
Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.*
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half -- this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
You've traveled abroad without being able to speak the local language. You can change that in just 10 minutes a day. Most people are holding real conversations within three weeks. In fact, 92% of users improved their proficiency in just two months, with 25 million subscriptions sold -- take 55% off.* Highlights this week: |
02 — From our sponsor Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC billIf your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Need to smash stuff? Whether you want to obliterate old electronics in a rage room or go full Jackson Pollock in their paint room, Break Time Springfield LLC hands you the gear and the green light. Book a quick release or bring a couple friends, then let your stress shatter.
Local nature fix: Forest Park is your built-in escape when the week gets loud, with shady paths, a peaceful lake, and a cozy little zoo for bonus smiles. Pack a snack, wander the loops, then claim a hilltop view and remember why living here feels pretty great.
Grow your porch jungle: If your tomatoes are sulking and the petunias look personally offended, swing by Malone's Farm & Materials for healthy plants, fresh soil, and solid advice from folks who actually garden here. Quick in-and-out errand this week, big upgrade for the stoop and backyard.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
Makeup for skin that's changed, now up to 65% off: Laura Geller has built its following on formulas made for mature skin, led by the baked foundations women over 40 keep coming back to. Right now, new email subscribers get up to 65% off plus an extra 22%. Enter your email on the page and the discount activates. *See the VIP pricing →
Home insurance premiums jumped 12% last year alone: That's on top of years of increases that have outpaced inflation. Before you blindly renew with your current insurer, a free comparison tool matches your home with top-rated insurers so you can see quotes side by side, in about two minutes. Some homeowners find hundreds in savings, and if you don't find a better policy, you stay put knowing you checked. *See your options →
Buy one window treatment this summer, get the second 50% off: “My fourth order over 8 years. Product reliability, consistency to values & warranty kept me returning!” See what keeps customers coming back to 3 Day Blinds. Book your free consultation and enjoy summer savings on blinds, shades, and drapery. *Claim your summer savings →
Carrying $5,000 or more on your cards? Stop the interest charges: A balance that size racks up interest fast, and at today's rates it barely budges no matter how much you pay. This card gives you 0% intro APR until 2028 on balance transfers (made in the first 60 days), with a $0 annual fee. That means almost two years to pay down what you owe with no interest charges. *See if it's a fit →
Wish you had someone to talk to right now? The quiet hours are the hardest, especially when you just want someone to talk to. That's exactly what this is built for: real conversations, real matches, real people. Not endless swiping, but actual chats with singles who want to connect as much as you do. Someone to talk to could be a message away. *Join now and start chatting → |
Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Fun for the famOur favorite upcoming kid and family-friendly events. All events are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🎉 Summer Kickoff Party! @ Chicopee Public Library | Wednesday (6/24) at 3:00 PM – Summer kickoff at the Chicopee Public Library means two things, free eats and fresh reads. Expect kid-friendly activities, info on summer programs, community partners who actually help, and tips on snagging free meals all season, all while tricking the kids into loving the library.
🔎 Eric Carle Scavenger Hunt @ Hubbard Memorial Library (Ludlow) | Thursday (6/25) at 9:00 AM – Birthday candles and hungry caterpillars call for a drop-in Eric Carle scavenger hunt, perfect for kids of all ages and the grownups chasing them. Hunt down the picture clues, win a little prize, and relive storytime glory. Low pressure, high nostalgia, zero glitter.
🚛 Touch a Truck Event @ Texas Roadhouse | Friday (6/26) at 10:00 AM – Bring the kids to climb inside fire engines, patrol cars, and those mysterious public works rigs at a hands-on Touch a Truck event. They can push buttons, meet the real helpers, and honk without consequences. Finally, something to tire them out, not your furniture.
🎉 Chicopee's 250th Celebration @ Szot Park | Friday (6/26) at 4:00 PM – Chicopee turns 250, so we’re celebrating with craft vendors, food trucks, live tunes, and a family movie under the stars. Admission is free, the shopping and snacks aren’t, so bring a few bucks. If the weather sulks, there’s a rain date at Szot Park.
🧵 Craft Fair @ Zombie Hideout | Saturday (6/27) at 10:00 AM – The Zombie Hideout is throwing a craft fair full of handmade oddities, clever art, and local makers, because obviously you needed another candle. Browse without the hard sell, then grab a soap-opera selfie with General Hospital’s Rory Gibson, and some bragging rights.
🍕 Pizza Party Fundraiser for Alzheimer’s Association @ Ludlow Coffee Co. | Saturday (6/27) at 6:30 PM – At Ludlow Coffee Co., your $15 donation turns into unlimited pizza from local favorites, and every slice helps the Alzheimer’s Association beat last year’s goal. Raffles, giveaways, and merch mean you can carbo-load, feel virtuous, and leave with more than a sauce stain.
🚌 Springfield Bus Trip: Puerto Rican Heritage Night @ Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame | Monday (6/29) at 3:00 PM – Catch the Springfield bus to Fenway for Puerto Rican Heritage Night, $85 covers the ride, a Sox vs. Nats ticket, a Red Sox soccer jersey, and refreshments. Yes, a soccer jersey at baseball, because we multitask, plus plenty of pride, music, and good company.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Heads up for pet parentsTogether with our sponsor Lemonade. Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving. As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Pet Insurance. It was too late for me, but you could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade. |
07 — The Springfield report Weather forecastToday — High: 80°F — Low: 59°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 80. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 59. Northwest wind 0 to 8 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 80°F — Low: 64°F — Precip: 2%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. Southwest wind 0 to 7 mph. Later: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8pm and 9pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. South wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. This house is wildThis 1940 charmer in Springfield’s coveted Sixteen Acres neighborhood spreads across a rare 2.07-acre lot, pairing classic character with modern function. The 4-bedroom, 5-bath layout includes a first-floor bedroom with attached bath, a bright, flexible floor plan, and an expansive primary suite. A partially finished basement adds bonus space for work, play, or workouts.
Take a peek inside → |
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