Arts
Lesbian bar opens in Greenfield: Last Ditch is the new space for the Valley’s queer community
By CAROLYN BROWN
Western Massachusetts has a new lesbian bar and performance venue.
Living and breathing democracy: Smithsonian museum sets up traveling exhibit inside the Mohawk Trail Regional School library
By MADISON SCHOFIELD
Democracy is alive at the Mohawk Trail Regional School.
The bomb that never dropped: New book details how Massachusetts planned during the Cold War
By ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN
Northampton author Joshua Shanley says he gets a scary feeling when entering some of the defunct Cold War buildings still standing across Massachusetts.
Her time in the spotlight: Amherst artist turns 90 and has first-ever public exhibit
By SCOTT MERZBACH
In one sculpture made from fired terracotta, with a natural patina, life holds and cradles life. In another sculpture, life holds and grasps death.
The proof is in the soil: Shelburne resident shares principles of biodynamic farming
By EVELINE MACDOUGALL
When Shelburne resident Elisha Poulin gave a public presentation recently about biodynamic farming and gardening, there were occasional quizzical expressions on the faces of some attendees. Yet I was primed to listen with an open mind, thanks to a comment made last fall by Greenfield resident Ryan Nestor, who I interviewed for a story about growing sweet potatoes.
Faith Matters: You are what you do: When people show you who they are, believe them
By THE REV. CANDI ASHENDEN
There’s a moment in the Gospels when Jesus responds to a crowd demanding clarity. They say, “Just tell us who you are.” And Jesus responds, in essence, “I already have. I’ve shown you.” He points not to a theological argument, but to his actions — healing the sick, feeding the hungry, welcoming the outcast, challenging the powerful. He says: Look at all I have been doing. That tells you who I am.
Sounds Local: ‘We are all aboard a train of hope’: Oen Kennedy and Fiery Hope Chorus join forces for an inspiring performance this weekend
By SHERYL HUNTER
In 1988, at the age of 23, Eveline MacDougall founded the Fiery Hope Chorus (formerly Amandla Chorus), and she continues to serve as a director of the 35-member group.
Speaking of Nature: Fascinated by ferns: Ferns figured out how to say goodbye to the aquatic environment hundreds of millions of years ago
By BILL DANIELSON
It was a morning in early April and Nature was playing tricks on us. The weather had been cold and raw for days, but then suddenly there was a break from the trend and the temperature soared into the high 60s. There was no threat of rain, but there was a blanket of high clouds shielding us from direct sunlight. It was bright without any shadows – perfect conditions for photography.
Fascinated by the seemingly infinite uses of eggs: Creamed eggs are an easy and delicious post-Easter nursery food
By TINKY WEISBLAT
The headlines last week were dire. Egg prices had reached an all-time high, just in time for Easter.
From corsets to Spanx: Historic Deerfield opens the season with ‘Body by Design: Fashionable Silhouettes from the Ideal to the Real,’ May 3
By CHRIS LARABEE
There’s no need to don your corset or three-piece suit for Historic Deerfield’s opening exhibition this season.
Bach and better than ever: UMass Amherst biennial Bach Fest returns April 25-27 with a multitude of concerts and symposia
By CAROLYN BROWN
An Amherst festival dedicated to a famous Baroque composer is coming … Bach.
Squarely a good time: There’s a resurgence of square dancing in the hilltowns
By ALEXIS FEDORJACZENKO
There are still people who remember when you could square dance five or six nights a week if you wanted to — “and many did,” says Doug Wilkins, who’s been calling square dances for 40-plus years in the eastern style, which is a “barn dance” where all are welcome, including beginners.
Faith Matters: A guide to Holy Week: The story isn’t over yet, even as it seems all hope is lost
By THE REV. DR. CHRIS DAVIES
For people who identify as Christian, Holy Week (the week leading up to Easter) is one of the most important weeks of our faith. Holy Saturday — today — is a day wherein we live in the darkness of Jesus’ death. So as we wait for hope on the horizon, I want to review this week in basic terms for those who are curious about the fundamentals of faith.
Practical skills and spiritual nourishment: Seeds of Solidarity Farm and Education Center offers workshops
By EVELINE MACDOUGALL
Anyone seeking a great way to dive into gardening season – or simply celebrate spring in a beautiful place – is invited to visit the Seeds of Solidarity Farm and Education Center in Orange on Saturday morning, April 26. At 10:30 am, they’ll host a free, one-hour program called Grow Great Gardens, after which attendees are welcome to take self-guided tours. The event coincides with their farm stand’s opening day.
Valley Bounty: Keeping that farming romance alive: Cara and Michael Zueger run Free Living Farm in Petersham
By JACOB NELSON
In many ways, farming can seem like a romantic way of life. “Being outside, providing for yourself, providing for your community – and the health changes I saw in myself, eating fresh food from the land – it all resonated so deeply,” says Cara Zueger, who runs Free Living Farm in Petersham with her husband Michael.
Sounds Local: Cover bands abound at the Shea: Big Yellow Taxi will perform much of Joni Mitchell’s ‘Ladies of the Canyon’ this Saturday
By SHERYL HUNTER
When it comes to tribute bands, music fans have rather mixed feelings. But love ‘em or hate ‘em, they play a prominent role on the music scene and a number of these bands have shows coming up in the area in the near future.
Speaking of Nature: A surprise in my maple tree: Porcupines just want to find something tasty to eat and be left alone
By BILL DANIELSON
It was the end of an exciting day of nature photography and as I pulled into my driveway I figured that I was done for the day. I had been out in forests and fields and had managed to take just about 1,000 photographs of flowers, birds and even some turtles. I went into the house, set my camera on the writing desk by my kitchen window and started the process of shifting into “evening mode,” which is what everyone aspires to after a long day. On my way through the house, heading toward a change of clothes and something for dinner, I glanced out the back window and stopped in my tracks. What in Darwin’s name was that?
Little pillows of golden goodness: The beignet recipe of your dreams, courtesy of our beloved local Wells Provisions
By TINKY WEISBLAT
Easter is traditionally associated with the return of rich foods to Christian diets. In the Middle Ages, Europeans followed a very strict diet during the 40 days between Ash Wednesday and Easter. They had only one meal a day and could eat no dairy, meat or eggs. Fish was allowed.
The cost of addiction: New novel draws on Valley backdrop to explore how substance use upends people’s lives
By STEVE PFARRER
Several years ago, Mattea Kramer, an Amherst writer and researcher who’s studied and written about the federal budget as well as drug policies at state and federal levels, spent time interviewing a number of women in the Greenfield jail who were part of a recovery program for substance use.
Young filmmaker makes his debut: 16-year-old director and writer to screen his film at Greenfield Garden Cinemas
By CHRIS LARABEE
The Greenfield Garden Cinemas is rolling out a red-carpet premiere of its own on April 16, as it welcomes the public to a free screening of a locally-produced short film with a question-and-answer session to follow.
Your Daily Puzzles
An approachable redesign to a classic. Explore our "hints."
A quick daily flip. Finally, someone cracked the code on digital jigsaw puzzles.
Chess but with chaos: Every day is a unique, wacky board.
Word search but as a strategy game. Clearing the board feels really good.
Align the letters in just the right way to spell a word. And then more words.
