Brief thoughts on some of the events making news from around Franklin County:
We think that the Deerfield police are taking a common-sense approach to black bears visiting backyards and our neighborhoods. The department has been telling people that they should contact the police if “the bear is trying to get inside the house,” and as one officer put it, “there’s nothing we’re gonna do about a bear walking through the landscape.” This common-sense approach to sharing space with bears also applies to other types of wildlife, like foxes, skunks, raccoons, etc. Unless they are posing some kind of threat, give them their space and they’ll most likely move along.
We liked what one of the groups in the Greenfield YMCA’s Health Challenge did as part of a step-counting competition. The Red Hot Chili Steppers took in 31 Walk Franklin County spots, having them spend time and steps in all corners of the county and places in between. It proved to be a great way to get close and personal with the county they live in beyond their hometown. And we think that it’s something that more people in the county should do — get out and visit/walk in other communities. Besides the health benefits, who knows what you might discover?
Add us to the list of peach lovers who are more than a little disappointed with the news coming out of the county’s orchards. A precipitous drop in temperatures in February wiped out this year’s crop. Thus, any fresh peaches will have to come from elsewhere, mostly out of state, and while some of them may taste good, they won’t be the same as being able to get some locally. We’ll keep our fingers crossed on next year.