Montague Notebook: Sept. 15, 2023

Karen Axtell will host a reception celebrating “Intervals,” her series of mixed-media prints about time, in the Great Falls Discovery Center’s Great Hall, 2 Avenue A in Turners Falls, on Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m.

Karen Axtell will host a reception celebrating “Intervals,” her series of mixed-media prints about time, in the Great Falls Discovery Center’s Great Hall, 2 Avenue A in Turners Falls, on Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. STAFF FILE PHOTO/PAUL FRANZ

Published: 09-14-2023 1:49 PM
South Deerfield man to have Shea talk posted online

TURNERS FALLS — South Deerfield resident Frank Marchand, a 47-year plumber living with Stage IV terminal colon cancer, will have footage of his Aug. 30 talk at the Shea Theater Arts Center premiered on YouTube this Friday at 7 p.m.

The video can be viewed at rb.gy/vewl7.

The decision to post the recording online came in response to the success of the event, which Marchand said was attended by about 200 people. He noted that the profits from ticket sales were split 50-50 between him and the Shea Theater, with his share amounting to $1,770. The venue then gave Marchand an additional $500, he added. Marchand plans to donate his proceeds to the cancer unit at Cooley Dickinson Hospital so that staff can buy refreshments for patients.

Multimedia arts exhibition highlighting Senegalese-American connection at Shea Theater

TURNERS FALLS — The Senegal-America Project, described by the Shea Theater Arts Center as “a bold mix of innovative music, dance and spoken words in celebration of the 20-year connection of Senegal with the Pioneer Valley,” will come to the venue, located at 71 Avenue A, on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

“When the music, the dance and the poetry bring us all together, the message is always that ‘we are all connected, that our fates are ultimately inseparable and the help we give becomes the help we get,’” the event posting reads. “The primary goal of the project is to bring people together in meaningful collaborations that create transformational responses to what we share of common issues and common ground.”

Performers include Tony Vacca, Tantra Zawadi, Abdou Sarr, Mamadou Ndiaye, Derrik Jordan and Jo Sallins.

Tickets are available on a $15 to $25 sliding scale at bit.ly/3EFakal.

Cultural Council seeks funding proposals

GILL — The Cultural Council is encouraging residents to submit proposals for community-oriented arts, humanities and science programs by Oct. 17. Ideal projects will take place in Gill and be connected with a Gill organization or resident.

Applications can be found at rb.gy/6uq4s. Those with questions should email lcc@gillmass.org.

Mixed-media print reception coming to Discovery Center

TURNERS FALLS — Karen Axtell will host a reception celebrating “Intervals,” her series of mixed-media prints about time, in the Great Falls Discovery Center’s Great Hall, 2 Avenue A, on Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m.

Selectboard OKs hiring of administrative assistant

MONTAGUE — The Selectboard appointed Angela Amidon as its new administrative assistant, effective Sept. 20, during its Monday meeting. She replaces Shayna Reardon.

Montague Soapbox Derby canceled

MONTAGUE — Not enough people registered for the Sept. 17 Montague Soapbox Derby by Wednesday’s deadline, necessitating the event’s cancellation.

“For the first time in the history of the Montague Soapbox Races, there just weren’t enough racers signed up,” lead organizer Mik Muller wrote in his announcement of the cancellation. “The committee has already started plans for next year and will have an announcement early in the 2024 calendar.”