Not That Kind of WMD

10/20/2008- Springfield Republican

 
Yes, that was Danielle G. Paine, communications manager for the EDC.

Danielle G. Paine Economic Development Council of Western Massachusetts, whose face was among those featured on area posters and postcards advertising a summer roller derby bout at the Fitzpatrick Skating Rink in Holyoke, where the Pioneer Valley Roller Derby League slammed skates with crews from Connecticut.

Paine, 26, of Ludlow, who also spent 2½ years writing for The Republican's Neighborhoods Plus weekly newspaper, tells C&W that she was elevated in August to Level II by the league's women's team, Western Mass Destruction, aka WMD. The designation means that after honing her skills at Level I, she now can scrimmage with the team and prepare for Level III, where she will be allowed to compete against other teams. She said she has chosen the roller rink moniker "Diesel N' Gin," a nod to her love of motorcycling and childhood fondness for racing go-karts. She said she discovered roller derby, while looking for a way to vary her physical fitness routine.