We could use a good laugh this month

We feature comedian and playright Lewis Black on the cover of PRIME this month, and anyone who needs a good chuckle is encouraged to check out his upcoming performances in July and August. Black is, ultimately, one of the more relatable comics of our time. He's not slick, doesn't pander to an audience, and you're always aware when watching him speak that what you see is exactly what you get. His humorous stances on everything from social media to presidential candidates and drug laws are somtimes controversial, but you're never left wondering what he really thinks. This area could certainly use a good laugh recently after devastating tornadoes touched down in parts of Springfield, West Springfield, Wilbraham and Monson on June 1. In the ensuing days and weeks, journalists like myself were called upon to take photos of the wreckage left behind and follow up with local groups about rebuilding. It's a challenging time for the community, and for journalists as well. We must walk a very fine line between reporting the news and being overzealous in showing the images of damage to the area. Hopefully, our photo essay on pages 10-11 brings home not just the damage caused that day, but also paints a portrait of a rebuilding community. Helpful National Guard, police and fire personnel were dispatched to the scenes. In addition to the photo essay, we bring you a story on page 19 about the effect of the tornadoes on local pets. Thomas J. O'Connor Animal Control & Adoption Center was inundated with stray animals following the twisters. It's wasn't just dogs and cats the shelter assisted a swan, a gecko lizard, and a boa constrictor (all in seperate incidents). Other animal recovery groups are also pitching in. Although officials have warned against "gawking" in certain affected areas, it was hard for this journalist not to drive through a portion of Monson in June. I grew up in Hampden, right on the Monson border. I used to ride my bike past the home of an artist whose giant metal sculptures I always found inspirational. So it was tough to see a tarp on his roof, his windows boarded up, and a big "No Trespassers" sign on the side of his garage. It was even tougher realizing that many more people in Monson had completely lost their homes, pets and family mementoes. Huge parts of their lives were destroyed. A rare heartwarming scene was seeing that some folks had written "Thank You" notes in red spray paint on their condemned homes, paying tribute to their friends and neighbors who offered them support. These are the tornado images that I won't soon forget. Sincerely, Mike Briotta, PRIME Editor mikeb@thereminder.com