Shelburne

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

Letter: Patrick’s behavior

Sunday, June 16, 2013

I just read a great article on our state’s elected leader, Gov. Patrick. Seems after the Boston bombings, he got, in his words, “quite drunk” at a restaurant in celebration. What a great example for our kids from our state’s governor! He also states he was alone, so that causes me to wonder, did he drive himself home in that condition? Or did … 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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Recorder file/Paul Franz Trolls decide whether to eat Bilbo, played by Zach Arfa, in the Mohawk Trail Regional School's spring production of "The Hobbit."

Mohawk mulls future of school’s rejuvenated drama program

Friday, May 31, 2013

BUCKLAND — After the great success of this year’s school play, “The Hobbit,” the rekindled enthusiasm for performing arts at the Mohawk Trail Regional School was somewhat dampened by news that Drama Coordinator Jonathan Diamond’s part-time position is … 0

Some tips to stay safe in the heat

Friday, May 31, 2013

State emergency management officials are offering some tips to help keep cool and safe as weekend temperatures rise into the 90s. ∎  Slow down, avoid strenuous activity. ∎  Wear lightweight, loose-fitting, light-colored clothing. Protect your face with a wide-brimmed hat. ∎  Drink plenty of water. ∎  Limit intake … 0

Ben Garbus

Graduates going the distance

Thursday, May 30, 2013

After living for 18 years tucked away in the woods of rural Conway, Waverley Engelman will start college this fall a 10-minute subway ride from Times Square. The Academy at Charlemont senior’s college list included many rural schools … 0

Fish, fishing, bugs in Turners Falls Saturday

Thursday, May 30, 2013

TURNERS FALLS — If you haven’t got a knowledgeable grandfather handy to teach your youngsters to fish, the Great Falls Discovery Center may have you covered. The center’s eighth annual Family Fishing Day will feature fish information, likely a live sturgeon in a tank and lessons on how … 0

photo courtesy of Paperweight Collectors Association website Above is a Clichy Spaced Mille on Opaque Blue Ground paperweight circa 1850.

Off to the paperweight convention

Thursday, May 30, 2013

Hello neighbor. Well, I’ve settled in and am officially a Greenfield resident again. It was a long week. If reports are correct, we are in the first full day of a late-May-early-June heat wave. I’m sure I’m not … 0

Tech wins $100K grant for machines

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

TURNERS FALLS — Another $100,000 is headed to Franklin County Technical School for buying modern metal-working machines — an amount that will likely push local manufacturers over their $500,000 goal needed to refit the machine shop this summer and to start training 21st-century metal workers. The state awarded … 0

Mohawk to tighten belt for $250,000 extra SPED costs

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

BUCKLAND — Faced with an unanticipated $250,000 increase in special education costs for the coming school year, the Mohawk Trail Regional School District superintendent told the school committee he will first try to find the money within the recently adopted school budget, rather than going back to member … 0

Recorder/Paul Franz Movie equipment trucks and RVs line State Street in Shelburne Falls’ Buckland side on Wednesday.

Shelburne Falls ready for its close-up

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

SHELBURNE FALLS — About this time last year, Shelburne Falls was dressed up to play the fictional 1980s town of “Holbrook Mills, N.H.” in preparation for scenes for the movie “Labor Day.” But Wednesday, some storefronts began getting … 0

Neighbors: Headed back to Greenfield

Monday, May 27, 2013

Hello neighbor. I’m writing this on Monday and have the rest of the week off to move, so I won’t be around to take your calls. I’m headed back to live in Greenfield, where I started my adult life. Grandson Justin and I can’t wait to see some … 0

Letter: Human dignity

Monday, May 27, 2013

Inspired by a recent homily by the Rev. Wade Menenes CPM, evoked more thoughts on human history, i.e.: how can we bring about unity of mankind when so much disunity prevails? His explanation, long but revealing, relates to identity as a distinct phenomena in our nature which sometimes … 0

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