Arts & Life
Speaking of Nature: Midnight wail — The call of the Red Fox
By BILL DANIELSON
It was early in the morning. I had a fresh cup of coffee and a little something to nibble on as I sat down at my computer and tried to make a decision. What was I going to write about this week? There were two ideas rattling around in my head but...
Sounds Local: Songwriter Joe O’Rourke puts his skills to work with new studio band
By SHERYL HUNTER
Can you be in a band and not be in the band? That’s the question songwriter Joe O’Rourke asks regarding the album “There is No Right or Wrong” on which he wrote all the songs but didn’t sing or play any of the instruments.O’Rourke, of South Deerfield,...
Speaking of Nature: A romantic evening for two birders: To hear the wonderful sounds of the Saw-whet Owl, one must go outside at night
By BILL DANIELSON
It was a cold winter’s night and my beautiful wife Susan and I were watching movies. There was a fire crackling in the wood stove, we were enjoying good food and drink and we were both all snoodled up and comfy. It was everything you could have wanted...
Date ideas in Franklin County: Indoors, outdoors, seated or dancing — here’s where to have some fun with the one you love
By BELLA LEVAVI
As the season of love approaches, a plethora of exciting dates awaits in Franklin County, promising to warm hearts and support the community. If you're tired of the same old dinner-and-movie routine, brace yourself for a journey through diverse and...
Faith Matters: Celebrate love by sharing love: Loving one another means everyone, not just one special person
By THE REV. LINDA M. RHINEHART NEAS
In a few days, people around the world will spend billions of dollars on cards, candy, jewelry, flowers, and a night on the town to prove their love and affection to a special someone. I may be wrong, but I think St. Valentine is rolling over in his...
Designed by and for older adults: New podcast series, Backyard Oasis, launches out of GCC
By DIANE BRONCACCIO
Is it ever too late to start dancing?On a wintry morning at Greenfield Community College, podcast-host Denise Schwartz and GCC dance teacher Emily Fox discuss the benefits of dance as part of a podcast series called Backyard Oasis.Fox says dance helps...
The Evergreens house is ready for its closeup after preservation work at Emily Dickinson Museum
By STEVE PFARRER
AMHERST — Closed since 2019 for extensive preservation efforts and infrastructure improvements, The Evergreens, a key property at the Emily Dickinson Museum, will reopen for visitors March 1.The 19th-century house was built in 1856 for Austin...
Sweet messages with a little fun: Three new children’s books by Kathleen Nicoletti
By TINKY WEISBLAT
Kathleen Nicoletti of Athol notes in her author biography that she loves reading to the children in her life. That joy is evident in her three new children’s books.At 70 pages, “Ruby the Ruthless” is the longest of the three. It also has the most...
Let’s Talk Relationships: Single on Valentine’s Day? How to be your own valentine
By AMY NEWSHORE
Many of us are facing Valentine’s Day with a lack of enthusiasm, to say the least. You may be newly single and are feeling raw and shaky. You may have been on your own for a long time and here you are, solo, once again on this holiday. Or you may find...
Play it again, Sam: Shea Theater to show ‘Lovejoy’s Nuclear War’ to mark 50th anniversary of Montague tower toppling
By DOMENIC POLI
In the fall of 1973, Wendell resident Dan Keller drove to Bradley International Airport in Connecticut to pick up friend Sam Lovejoy and mentioned to his pal that he wouldn’t believe what had been built back home on the Montague Plains.The two drove...
Sounds Local: When feeling bad sounds good: Celebrate heartbreak this Valentines Day with new EP by Selah haleS
By SHERYL HUNTER
Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and if there is ever a polarizing holiday, it’s this one. For the romantics, it’s a day of celebration with shiny boxes of chocolates and roses, but for others, especially those who are nursing a broken...
Speaking of Nature: Where have all the birds gone?: They’re there, and here’s a handy tool to keep track of their appearances
By BILL DANIELSON
I receive emails from readers throughout the year and I do my best to respond to them in a timely manner. Sometimes messages pile up in my inbox and sometimes things get filed incorrectly, but I genuinely do try to respond to every one. This year (the...
Rare views into an earlier age: Clark Art Institute exhibits some 80 original images in paper and photographs
By DON STEWART
There are those who see winter not as a season but as a siege. They tire of shoveling white glittering fractals from their driveways and see snow as the unnecessary freezing of water.If you’re among those who don’t consider the frozen monochrome of...
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...
