“Watch out for Ronni! She lives on your floor and has a bad reputation,” cautioned my new friend Ellen shortly after I moved into my apartment building. “She seems so friendly,” I replied. “Yes,” said Ellen, “she starts that way.” I wondered if Ellen’s assessment was too harsh and opted to decide fo...

Union County HAWK, we send our heartfelt wishes to you, our readers, for a happy holiday season and new year. It’s been another busy year here at the newspaper offices, with plenty to keep us going across the seven towns we cover. One thing we continue to be grateful for at the newspaper offices is ...

A collaboration with the Westfield High School Journalism Program

“Let’s read this new author, Elizabeth Strout, I’ve heard so much about,” suggested Mary to our book group soon after we’d formed in 1998. We often deferred to Mary’s suggestions, knowing her refined literary taste. “What’s the book called, and what’s it about?” we asked. “ Amy and Isabelle and it’s...

A collaboration with the Westfield High School Journalism ProgramWicked, starring famous actresses and singers Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, is a beautiful interpretation of how a movie should be made. It has left viewers in tears and has sparked widespread excitement among all ages. Once you fin...

A collaboration with the Westfield High School Journalism Program

Our guest writer, Theresa Stiles, contributed this poignant, spiritual remembrance of backyard kickball and wiffle ball days gone by. Like many of us, Theresa and her husband were happy to raise their children here in Westfield and neighboring towns. But when the kids departed for college and onto n...

A collaboration with the Westfield High School Journalism Program

The Westfield Leader and Union County HAWK have long held that editorials and opinions do not belong on the front page with news articles and facts. Today, we are breaking that tradition for the first time since I bought the paper in 2020 to talk about a potentially detrimental move that could strip...

A collaboration with the Westfield High School Journalism ProgramFor those who just love the holiday season, there is arguably no better feeling than seeing the look on a loved one’s face when they are surprised with the perfect gift. Whether it’s the coziest holiday sweater or those long-awaited ic...