New rural affairs director to speak at Friends of Schell Bridge meeting

NORTHFIELD — Massachusetts Rural Affairs Director Anne Gobi will be the keynote speaker at the Friends of Schell Bridge annual meeting on Saturday, Oct. 28, at 9:30 a.m. at The Brewery at Four Star Farms, 508 Pine Meadow Road.

The program will offer attendees an opportunity to meet Gobi, who will take questions following her remarks.

The newly created position of rural affairs director helps ensure that issues vital to Northfield, including the pedestrian walkway to replace the long-closed Schell Bridge, remain part of Gov. Maura Healey’s economic development vision. Prior to this appointment, Gobi, of Spencer, represented 22 communities in Worcester and Hampshire counties as a state senator.

Board members at the annual meeting will review the status of the project, known officially as the Pauchaug-Schell Bridge Greenway. Brunch-type refreshments will be available at 9:30 a.m.

Shredding event set for Nov. 3

NORTHFIELD — Neighbors at Home and the town of Northfield will host a free document shredding event on Friday, Nov. 3, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the parking lot behind Town Hall.

Monthly puzzle swap planned for Saturday, Nov. 4

NORTHFIELD — Free used puzzles will be available at Dickinson Memorial Library on Saturday, Nov. 4, from 10 to 11:30 a.m.

Attendees are advised to park in the back and enter through the side door of the library. Turn left to find the Community Room.

Participants are invited to take as many puzzles as they want, and can keep them as long as they need. The puzzle swap is offered monthly.

For more information, visit northfieldpubliclibrary.org/friends-of-the-library or email friendsofdml01360@gmail.com.

Committee holding CPA info session

NORTHFIELD — The Community Preservation Committee is hosting an informational forum on the Community Preservation Act on Thursday, Nov. 9, at 6:30 p.m. in the Town Hall auditorium.

Residents are invited to learn all about the Community Preservation Act, how Northfield has benefited from it so far and how to submit proposals for CPA funding. There will be a short presentation followed by a question and answer session.

Questions about the Community Preservation Committee or the informational forum can be directed to northfieldmacpc@gmail.com.

Next roast beef supper set for Nov. 11

BERNARDSTON — The next Second Saturday Roast Beef Supper will be held Nov. 11, at the United Church of Bernardston, located at 58 Church St. Seatings are available at 5 and 6:15 p.m.

Meals include roast beef, mashed potatoes, gravy, vegetables and rolls, along with pie for dessert. Each meal costs $15.

Call 413-648-9306 to reserve your preferred seating time or to reserve takeout meals. Suppers will continue on the second Saturday of each month through April.

Northfield 350th presents ‘The People vs. the Pipeline’

NORTHFIELD — The Northfield Oral History Project of the 350th anniversary program of 2023 will present a free multimedia production called “The People vs. the Pipeline” on Sunday, Nov. 12, at 6:30 p.m. at 105 Main St.

“The People vs. the Pipeline” will share the story of the diverse strategies employed and the actions that took place between 2014 and 2016, as told by the participants in their own words, that ultimately helped stop the Kinder Morgan natural gas pipeline proposed for the region. The production features the voices of local citizens, elected officials and tribal representatives, and efforts by local and state government to share research on demand for gas, on Indigenous ceremonial stone structures and sacred sites in the path of construction, and scientific data on the compressor stations’ negative health impacts. Oral testimonies are interspersed with photographs and video of public hearings, demonstrations, protests, multi-day walks and other activities undertaken to highlight the threat to communities along the path.

Music will be provided by Carrie and Michael Kline, consultants to the Northfield Oral History Project. Document compilation and editing was done by Cate Woolner, Steve Stoia and Joan Stoia, with production help from Robbie Leppzer, Bernardston-Northfield Community Television (BNCTV) and Greenfield Community Television (GCTV).

The all-volunteer cast includes Court Dorsey, William Spademan, Steve Stoia, Mary Johnson, Steven Botkin, Joan Levy, Cate Woolner and Shirley Keech. Artwork was provided by Stephen Roberto and Laura Kaye.

The production is funded by a matching grant from the New England Grassroots Environment Fund. Support for the Northfield Oral History Project was provided by an allocation secured by Sen. Jo Comerford’s office.

The story of the Kinder Morgan pipeline brings the 350th anniversary event lineup toward its close. Organizers hope the lessons learned will be of use to other small communities facing similar challenges in the future.

Northfield’s 350th anniversary continues with a holiday family marionette performance of “Cinderella” and the Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory traveling exhibit on Dec. 16, a concert by Da Camera Singers on Dec. 2, and a townwide luminaria ceremony on Dec. 31. For more information, visit northfield350.org.