Arts
A perfect gift for Historic Deerfield: Museum receives impressive collection of work by 19th century New England renaissance man Rufus Porter
By CHRIS LARABEE
With the “unusual” donation of a collection of a 19th century artwork, publications and inventions, Historic Deerfield is looking to highlight the life of 19th century New England renaissance man Rufus Porter.Porter, an inventor, author and the...
A big audience for small works: Annual Small Works Exhibit and Sale returns for 10th year
By BELLA LEVAVI
The Sawmill River Arts Collective gallery, located at 440 Greenfield Rd. in the Bookmill Complex, will show local artists at its 10th annual Small Works Exhibit and Sale, taking place from Feb. 4 through 26.“It is a community art show. Part of our...
Faith Matters: God is not Google: God’s gifts require patience in an often impatient world
By THE REV. CINDY LAJOY
Have you ever wondered why God sometimes leads us on what seems like a long and winding road, just to end up mere steps from where you started? Have you ever asked God to answer your prayers in a hurry, only to find yourself waiting for a response for...
Book Bag: ‘The Sacred Dog’ by Joan Livingston; ‘Mud Pie’ by Lauren Arienzale
By STEVE PFARRER
The Sacred DogBy Joan LivingstonDarkstroke Books Franklin County author Joan Livingston, a former reporter and editor who once covered the Hilltowns for the Gazette, has used her experience to create a series of mystery novels set in similar towns,...
Close-up on farm workers: LAVA Center launches touring exhibit celebrating agricultural workers, on view at GCC through Feb. 16
By CHRIS LARABEE
With a full body of work compiled over 2023’s farming and harvest seasons, Local Access to Valley Arts (The LAVA Center) is launching a touring exhibit for “indiVISIBLE: Seeing and Celebrating Indispensable Agricultural Workers” this week at...
Sounds Local: Weekend music forecast: summertime vibes: Dance like it’s the Fourth of July at Greenfield’s 102nd Winter Carnival
By SHERYL HUNTER
Greenfield will celebrate its 102nd Winter Carnival this weekend. Thanks to our local music venues, the three-day celebration, jam-packed with events, will include plenty of music to further fuel the party atmosphere. The theme of this year’s carnival...
Speaking of Nature: Who is that mysterious woodpecker?: Yellow-bellied Sapsucker has caused quite a stir with readers
By BILL DANIELSON
My selection of a writing topic is not always an easy thing. Sometimes I sit down to the keyboard and find myself completely stuck. I haven’t had an idea all week and at the last minute I still find myself with nothing to focus on. These are the...
The cure for wintertime blues: Snowmobile clubs enjoy outdoor thrills while tending to interstate trails
By BELLA LEVAVI
On snowy weekends in the winter, groups of snowmobilers can be found at the tops of mountains and along the vast networks of forest trails connecting towns throughout Massachusetts and beyond. “To be outside in the winter doing something; that is the...
‘You don’t look like a doctor’: Documentary film looks at the biases and challenges Black women physicians face
By STEVE PFARRER
Dr. Khama Ennis had come a long way in her medical career.Until 2022, the Amherst resident had spent about two decades in emergency medicine, including a number of years as chief of emergency medicine at Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton, as...
‘The Broadway stars aligned’: Tony-nominated actress visits Stoneleigh-Burnham School
By LIESEL NYGARD
In preparation for their upcoming musical performance of “The Prom,” students at Stoneleigh-Burnham School visited with Tony-nominated actress Caitlin Kinnunen.“The Prom” is based on a real story from the early 2000s, where four Broadway actors help...
Let’s Talk Relationships: How to give a good apology: Apologizing is key to restoring trust in relationships
By AMY NEWSHORE
It is inevitable that we are going to make mistakes and sometimes hurt others, even those we love. When a relationship has been impacted by harmful words or actions, offering a sincere, heartfelt apology can go a long way toward mending the rupture....
Attention Franklin County poets: 33rd annual Poet’s Seat Poetry Contest is now seeking submissions; deadline Feb. 26
By CHRIS LARABEE
The 33rd annual Poet’s Seat Poetry Contest is now seeking submissions through the end of February, as the Friends of the Greenfield Public Library prepares to bring the contest’s awards ceremony to the new library.The Friends of the Greenfield Public...
If the land could speak: Community gardens are located on land with stories echoing social justice roots
By PAT JAMES
Community gardens grow on all kinds of land. Many gardens start as derelict lots, long abandoned by owners who sometimes reclaim the property after community gardeners reveal its beauty and productivity.Schools and parks are common sites for community...
Sounds Local: New year, new releases: Local artists release singles ahead of buzzed-about new albums
By SHERYL HUNTER
With a new year comes new music, and 2024 looks like it will be an excellent year for both recordings and live music. Now that the holidays are over, some local musicians have dropped new singles in recent weeks as they gear up for full-length...
Speaking of Nature: Drama at the feeders: The arrival of winter means the arrival of some foul-weather friends
By BILL DANIELSON
It appears as though winter has finally arrived. November and December (most of which is technically autumn) were very mild and all through the Christmas break the high temperatures were consistently above freezing. This resulted in little to no snow...
Northampton’s new poet laureate lives in Greenfield: Franny Choi is 10th person to hold title
By STEVE PFARRER
NORTHAMPTON — After a delay caused in part by the pandemic, the city has a new poet laureate.Franny Choi, who was nominated last year for a Massachusetts Book Award, has written for the New York Times and the Atlantic, and been interviewed on NPR, has...
Hitting it big for wrong reasons: In ‘American Fiction’ at Amherst Cinema, writer’s pastiche hailed as authentic
By STEVE PFARRER
Though it had only an initial limited theatrical release, and did not appear until December, “American Fiction” has already popped up on a number of critics’ “best films of 2023” lists, and the movie has been nominated for a slew of awards.The buzz is...
Valley Bounty: Farming in a winter wonderland: Lombrico Farm in Whately coaxes fresh produce from soil year-round
By JACOB NELSON
‘The best carrots you’ll ever eat are picked in January or February,” says Erik Debbink, owner of Lombrico Farm in Whately. In the dead of winter, their sweetness shines through.Lombrico Farms is one of a growing number of local farms working hard to...
Faith Matters: The gospel according to baseball: It is never too late for each of us to have a great 9th inning
By BISHOP DOUG FISHER
As you are reading this column, we are 35 days away from the official start of Major League Baseball’s Spring Training.So it is only fitting that I begin this column with a couple of inspirational baseball stories.Growing up in the 1960s, like many...
Focus on Your Health: Where and how to donate blood: Baystate to host monthly blood drives in Greenfield
By ANITA FRITZ
January is National Blood Donor Month, and beginning Jan. 17, the Baystate Blood Donor Program at Baystate Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield will be hosting monthly blood drives. Throughout the year, Baystate Franklin invites and encourages people...
