Arts & Life
Preserving a key part of Emily Dickinson’s legacy: Historic Evergreens house reopens at the Emily Dickinson Museum
By STEVE PFARRER
Between the “Dickinson” series on Apple TV+ and movies such as 2016’s “A Quiet Passion,” interest in Emily Dickinson has grown in the last several years, even beyond the already intense admiration that existed for her poetry among readers and literary...
Giving the gift of song: Eventide Singers, who serenade those in hospice care, to perform ‘thank you’ concert March 10
By AALIANNA MARIETTA
The Second Congregational Church will host an annual performance by the Eventide Singers, an a capella group of volunteers who serenade individuals in hospice care and their loved ones with the sacredness of song, on Sunday, March 10, at 3 p.m.“We...
What’s old is new again: In Stile Moderno will perform ‘modern’ music from 1600s Italy in Greenfield and Northampton
By GRACE LEE
In Stile Moderno, an early music ensemble founded in Basel, Switzerland, and named after the “modern style” of music that emerged in Italy around 1600, is coming this month to Greenfield and Northampton to perform a show titled “Madrigals of Claudio...
Let’s Talk Relationships: Your voice matters: An open invitation to share your thoughts
By AMY NEWSHORE
I have always found the topic of relationships fascinating and intriguing. In my monthly column, I write about romantic love, along with other significant relationships, and the perplexing challenges that we all inevitably face.Although it may be easy...
Faith Matters: Covenant as an art: How caring for others puts us in touch with God’s love
By THE REV. JAMES KOYAMA
I’d like to share a recent experience with you and what it says to me about being part of the church in our world. Quite recently, one of our members passed away. He was a man beloved by many, who I came to know near the end of his life.When we...
Sounds Local: Cloudbelly drops highly anticipated sophomore album: Plus, concert tickets to grab while you still can
By SHERYL HUNTER
After releasing three singles that left us anxious to hear more, Cloudbelly, the Montague-based band led by singer-songwriter Corey Laitman, released its sophomore album, “i know i know i know” (Strange Library Records), last week. Laitman is joined...
Celebrating with syllabub: A whipped dessert inspired by Jane Austen and Hallmark movies
By TINKY WEISBLAT
When I was in graduate school, I taught a class called “American Women’s Fictions.” My students made their way through stories popular with American women.We started with “Charlotte Temple,” a 1791 novel about an English schoolgirl who is seduced and...
Tapping into sweetness together: Severance’s Maple Products chosen for Maple Month kick-off
By EVELINE MACDOUGALL
Maple sap processing season is short, yet Northfield’s Milt Severance thinks about syrup all year. His sweet vocation will be celebrated this Friday, March 1, when his sugarhouse is singled out to host the Ceremonial Tapping that kicks off Maple...
Speaking of Nature: From rare to regular: The Carolina Wren may soon become a regular backyard bird for all of us
By BILL DANIELSON
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 2023 was the warmest year ever recorded. I remember it being hot in the summertime, but I think the effect of this heat was most noticed by me in the autumn. The Thinking Chair...
The night that changed Deerfield forever: New book gives a comprehensive look at the infamous Deerfield Massacre of 1704
By CHRIS LARABEE
If you’re from the region, you’ve probably come across the story of the 1704 attack on Deerfield, or, at least one of the many monuments placed around the county commemorating the English colonists.But how much do you really know of this time period,...
The team that went all the way: Turners Falls High School baseball won State Championship in 1942; next month they will be inducted into the Western Mass Baseball Hall of Fame
By RICHARD ANDERSEN
Imagine this. It’s 1942. Springtime. The country is in the first of months of a war that is already one of the deadliest catastrophes in world history. By the time it ends in 1945, 30 million people are no longer among the living.You’re 18 years old...
Focus on Your Health: Matters of the heart: During American Heart Month, Baystate brings attention to cardiovascular health
By ANITA FRITZ
Here at Baystate Franklin Medical Center, Dr. Timothy Egan treats patients with all types of heart issues. He grew up in the Pioneer Valley, and after many years of living in different parts of the country, he says he was “so happy to be able to...
Finding God everywhere: Pastor Peter Stilla of the First Congregational Church in Hadley pens new book about Christian Universalism
By TINKY WEISBLAT
Peter Stilla of Deerfield has had multiple careers. For much of his life, he was a journalist. This work included stints doing editorial work at the Greenfield Recorder and its sister paper, the Daily Hampshire Gazette.In 2000, he decided to attend...
Artspace celebrates 50th annual Teen Art Show, grant award
By LIESEL NYGARD
Not only has Greenfield’s Artspace Community Arts Center begun its 50th annual Teen Art Show, but it has also received a $10,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) that will help support its overall mission. Artspace was one of a...
Nature is his muse: Works by photographer Lou Wallach on display at Salmon Falls Gallery, Feb. 22 to April 28
By BELLA LEVAVI
Traveling around the country on his motorcycle, Lou Wallach sees nature like no one else. Thirteen hanging framed prints and 22 unframed works of Wallach’s black-and-white photography will be on display at Salmon Falls Gallery, located at 1 Ashfield...
Sounds Local: Watermelon Wednesdays celebrates 25 years of acoustic music series: Plus, Iron Horse announces initial lineup
By SHERYL HUNTER
Watermelon Wednesdays, the acoustic music series that presents concerts and workshops at the historic West Whately Chapel and the Whately Town Hall, will celebrate its 25th year in 2024. Paul Newlin of Whately, a devout music fan, heads up the series,...
Father of our country hoe cakes: George Washington-related concoction is a favorite breakfast
By TINKY WEISBLAT
I appreciate that people who work regular jobs need three-day holiday weekends. For this reason, in 1968, George Washington’s birthday was moved from Feb. 22 to the third Monday in the month.Sadly, in my opinion, this means that the official...
Valley Bounty: CSA season gets jump on growing season this week
By LISA GOODRICH
Though more weeks of winter lie ahead, National Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) week — Feb. 19-25 — marks the symbolic start of the CSA cycle, when member sign-ups start rolling in and participating farmers begin planning for the coming growing...
Nature Photo Contest
Speaking of Nature: Midnight wail — The call of the Red Fox
By BILL DANIELSON
It was early in the morning. I had a fresh cup of coffee and a little something to nibble on as I sat down at my computer and tried to make a decision. What was I going to write about this week? There were two ideas rattling around in my head but...
