Colrain

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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Editorial: Targeting SNAP
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Blixt/My Turn: Say ‘no’ to K12
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Keepers of the valley
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Museum marks anniversary with free admission, special events
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Harmony train
From Arts & Entertainment »
Arts & Entertainment Calendar: June 13 to June 19
From Arts & Entertainment »

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

Submitted photo Alec Henry, a Wesleyan University environmental studies student, is leading the study of culverts along the Deerfield River.

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

Recorder/Paul Franz Katie Clarke, Stephanie Marshall and Jenny Goodspeed are The Boxcar Lilies.

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 sophmore Caitlyn Wilkins has started a campaign to reduce the use of tplastic water bottles and cutlery at Mohawk. (submitted photo)

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

Recorder/David Rainville The Leyden Knights, minus two stray teammates, pose proudly at the Franklin County Fairgrounds Saturday after completing their first Relay for Life, and beating their $500 fundraising goal. Team captain Melissa Adamski, front and center, rallied her troops for thier first relay, after losing her mother and two friends to cancer.

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

(Submitted Photo) (on Right) Crawford County Sheriff Tim G. Wilkerson (on left is Sen. Todd Young.

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

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