Bernardston

Recorder/Paul Franz Teaching assistant Isaac Henry looks through colored windows in blocks with Cody Britt, 3, and Brandon Gent, 4, at the Washington Street Head Start Preschool in Greenfield.

Head Start cuts hit home locally

Monday, June 17, 2013

GREENFIELD — In the wake of federal spending cuts and a need to increase quality, anti-poverty agency Community Action is reorganizing its “Head Start” program — resulting in 129 fewer poor children across the Pioneer Valley who will be able to enroll in the free or discounted preschool/childcare service this fall. In Franklin County, the agency will cut 52 of … 0

Recorder file/Geoff Bluh In 2010, Ella Lester of Shutesbury, left, and Beatrice Gould of Pelham play on the beach at Lake Wyola State Park.

Neighbors: Get out and enjoy our parks

Monday, June 17, 2013

Hello neighbor. It’s time to get out and enjoy Franklin County’s parks. So many towns have pretty impressive parks, where children can play and adults can sit, relax or read ... whatever you feel like doing. Greenfield has several parks. There’s something for everyone. Montague is finishing up its renovations on Unity Park. … 0

Solstice events at UMass set for Thursday, Friday

Sunday, June 16, 2013

AMHERST — The public is invited to witness sunrise and sunset associated with the summer solstice among the standing stones of the UMass Sunwheel on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. for sunset and on June 21 at 5 a.m. for sunrise. These events will mark the astronomical change of season when days are longest and nights are shortest in the Northern Hemisphere. Rain cancels … 0

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"I grew it specially for the occasion," Naomi Voldahl-Corliss (left) of Greenfield said of her mustache. In fact, she and friend Leah Boutotte picked up the 'staches from Curious Traveler Shandy, a beer company that features an handlebar mustache in its logo for its ale with lemon. Voldahl-Corliss and Boutotte were sampling brews at the 9th Annual Green River Brew Fest held behind Ryan & Casey Liquors in Greenfield on Saturday. Recorder/Trish Crapo Fashion trend
Recorder/David Rainville The Frog and Flower Parade winds its way down Bridge Street in Shelburne Falls during Saturday's 25th annual RiverFest. Greenfield's Maya Apfelbaum led a pre-parade workshop where kids and the young at heart made river-related masks, costumes and props. 25th RiverFest draws young and old
Recorder/Paul Franz Duke and Cooper swim in the Green River playing fetch with their owner Mark Rowe of Greenfield. Buddy system
Recorder/Paul Franz Ken Long of Turners Falls paddles in from some early morning fishing in a Wendell pond on Friday morning. Fishing spot
Recorder/Paul Franz Mohawk and Hawlemont fifth-graders got to experience colonial life at the Wilder Homestead in Buckland on Thursday. Jennifer Lee, a Narragansett descendent from Plainfield, talked about Native American life at her Eastern Conical Wigwam to students Evan Shippee, Hjordis Aho and Maitreya Smith. A taste of colonial life
Recorder/Paul Franz Paula Parsons of Northfield swings with her granddaughter Adele Ross, 4, of Greenfield, on Tuesday at Unity Park in Turners Falls. Swing shift
Recorder/Paul Franz Bleeding heart seems to drips off the vine next to the All Souls Church in Greenfield on Thursday. A study in pink
Recorder/Geoff Bluh Marilyn Lorenzo of Greenfield gets a smooch from 3-year-old Romeo while she was training him at the Green River Swimming and Recreation area. Not part of the training
Recorder/Mike Phillips Pete Mallett releases some rainbow trout into an undisclosed location on the Millers River. Pete is president of the Millers River Fishermans Association in New Salem. Stocking up
Recorder/Paul Franz John Graves of the Greenfield Department of Public Works flushes sediment from fire hydrants on Federal Street on Monday. Spray zone
Recorder/Mike Phillips It looks like snow in May during this foam demonstration by firefighters. Fire engine fans
Recorder/Paul Franz Barton Cove Bald Eagle takes off from tree on the island. On eagle’s wings
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Arts & Entertainment Calendar: June 13 to June 19
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Meetings for week of May 6

Friday, May 3, 2013

ASHFIELD Annual town meeting/election: Today 10 a.m. in Town Hall. Board of Assessors: Monday 6 p.m. in Town Hall. Conservation Commission: Wednesday 7:30 p.m. in Town Hall. BERNARDSTON Planning Board: Monday 6:30 p.m. in Antonio’s Pizza. Cultural Council: Monday 6:30 p.m. in Town Hall. Agricultural Commission: Tuesday 7:30 … 0

Six area towns make list of ‘best places to live’ in Mass.

Friday, May 3, 2013

Six Franklin County towns have made the Boston Globe’s “Top 25 Places to Live in Massachusetts” list. Shelburne, Leverett, Rowe, Greenfield, Northfield and Gill all made the list, which can be found on Boston.com. The Globe did an online survey of its readers, saying it wanted to match … 0

Neighbors: Dinosaurs at GCC next week

Thursday, May 2, 2013

Hello neighbor. I have spent a good deal of time with dinosaurs over the past six months or so. Grandson Justin is absolutely fascinated and sometimes mesmerized by them. He calls them “Big Das,” because he can’t quite say “dinosaur” yet. I mention this because on Wednesday at … 1

Luther replaces Knight as Bernardston town clerk

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

BERNARDSTON — Tuesday’s town election saw no contest, but did produce a new town clerk. Paul Luther was elected to a three-year term, replacing long-time town clerk Judy Knight. Knight did not run this year, and has moved away from town. Still, Knight received one write-in vote. Knight … 0

Deerfield voters back keeping Baystate services in Greenfield

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

DEERFIELD — Voters here have overwhelmingly supported a resolution calling on Baystate Health System to keep services and resources at the Baystate Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield. At its Monday annual town meeting, Deerfield was the first of 10 Franklin County towns to vote on the resolution. It … 0

Recorder/David Rainville Patricia Shearer, of Northfield, was taken by surprise when she was honored by her colleagues for 35 years of service on the School Committee Thursday .

In service of education, community

Sunday, April 28, 2013

NORTHFIELD — For many, spending 35 years working in the same position would be considered a career. Patricia Shearer of Northfield just considers it doing her part. She joined the School Committee of the Pioneer Valley Regional School … 0

GCC taps Bilodeau as Distinguished Alum

Sunday, April 28, 2013

When former Deerfield police officer Christopher Bilodeau, 39, got the call that he had been selected by the GCC Distinguished Alumni Committee to receive the 2013 award, his first words were “I am honored to have been chosen.” … 0

No races in Bernardston election Tuesday

Friday, April 26, 2013

BERNARDSTON — There are no contested races in Tuesday’s annual town election. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. in town hall. Seeking re-election to three-year positions are: Robert Raymond of 178 Turners Falls Road for selectman; David Powers of 139 Merrifield Road for Board … 0

Charity Lot Forest hike today

Friday, April 26, 2013

BERNARDSTON — A local man is crafting a plan for a town-owned forest, and he needs your help. John Lepore, owner of Future Lands Design, was hired by the town this year to create a recreation and conservation plan for the Charity Lot Forest, which was donated to … 0

Dunkin’ Donuts plans for Bernardston withdrawn

Friday, April 26, 2013

BERNARDSTON — Plans to add a Dunkin’ Donuts to a Church Street gas station were withdrawn amid confusion over the town’s zoning laws. The A.R. Sandri Co., owner of the Church Street Sunoco station, withdrew its application at a Thursday Zoning Board of Appeals hearing before much was … 1

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