Buckland

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

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

Building better fathers, stronger sons

Friday, June 14, 2013

TURNERS FALLS — On Monday, once fathers have finished basking in the general glow of Father’s Day, they are invited to a discussion on the topic of raising boys to be healthier men. The day after Father’s Day, a variety of social service groups invite parents, professionals and … 0

Movie brings crowds, lulls to Bridge St. businesses

Friday, June 14, 2013

SHELBURNE FALLS — Friday brought another day of star-gazing to the village, as spectators cued up for one more day of filmmaking in rural western Massachusetts. Meanwhile, shops that have done booming business during filming of “The Judge” … 0

Watershed group to study culverts’ effects on wildlife, roads

Thursday, June 13, 2013

SHELBURNE — Below Elm Street, a small stream flows through a culvert leading to the Deerfield River. The design of that culvert could have an impact well beyond its small stream — affecting the passing of wildlife upstream … 0

Brown leads in UMass poll for next governor

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

AMHERST — Former U.S. Sen. Scott Brown leads all potential candidates in next year’s Massachusetts gubernatorial race, according to a new UMass poll released by the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Brown’s closest theoretical competition would come from former … 0

Harmony train

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

The Boxcar Lilies could never have foreseen the two years that followed the release of its debut album, “Heartwood.” Within months of the January 2011 release, the local female trio heard that its Americana music was playing on … 0

Mohawk student takes lead on capping use of bottles

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

BUCKLAND — Out of the billions of petroleum-based plastic water bottles purchased each year, only 29 percent are recycled in the United States, according to Mohawk Trail Regional School sophomore Caitlyn Wilkins of Heath. About 54 percent of … 1

Young birthday neighbor meets ‘Iron Man’ in S.F.

Monday, June 10, 2013

Hello, neighbor. You all know by now that one of my favorite places in Franklin County is the Quabbin Reservoir. The reason I bring this up at this time is because, as you will see below, there is … 0

Relay for Life raises $210,000 and counting

Sunday, June 9, 2013

GREENFIELD — After a night of downpours, the sun broke through the clouds Saturday morning, shining brightly for the last laps of the 18th annual Relay for Life of Franklin County. Many of those who walked in the … 0

Transition Towns seeks short films

Sunday, June 9, 2013

GREENFIELD — Transition Towns will roll out the red carpet for its second annual film festival in a few months. But, before it holds its Oct. 25 festival at Greenfield Community College, it need films. That’s where you come in. The 2013 Pioneer Valley Transition Towns Film Festival … 0

Welcome to the real Crawford County

Friday, June 7, 2013

SHELBURNE FALLS — Yes, Virginia, there really is a Crawford County, Indiana. And the fact that Warner Bros. is filming “The Judge” in Shelburne Falls — a setting meant to depict Crawford County, Ind. — seemed to amuse … 0