By ANITA FRITZ
Recorder Staff
Hello neighbor.
I hope you all had a wonderful holiday. I got to spend time with my family and my sister’s family, and we welcomed a new member.
I’ve got some good news for you good folks – 75 days until spring. Don’t fret; it’ll go by in a flash and you’ll be planning your Memorial Day celebration.
I still haven’t heard from our precipitation prognosticator Farrah Pomeroy, so I decided to see what the Old Farmer’s Almanac had to say about snowfall this year.
From now through Saturday, the almanac says we can expect “sprinkles,” but it will be “quite mild.” Sunday through next Tuesday could bring some flurries and cold temperatures, but Jan. 11 and 12 will once again be mild and sunny.
Jan. 13 through 18 will bring snow and showers, according to the almanac, but will be on the mild side. Then, it gets cold for the rest of the month, with snow and flurries.
February looks like it will vacillate between cold and mild temperatures. It looks like we’ll have more snow, with a blizzard hitting some time between Feb. 11 and 17. That’s when we’ll also experience “bitter cold” temperatures.
I may be wrong, but it doesn’t sound all that bad to me.
The almanac also gives a glimpse of what the Northeast will experience between now and October. Winter is supposed to be colder than normal on average, with the coldest periods in late January, mid February and early March. The snowiest times should be in late January, mid and late February and early to mid March.
April and May could be slightly cooler than normal with above-normal rainfall. Summer is also expected to be cooler than normal, according to the almanac. The hot periods are expected to his in early to mid July and mid to late August.
It sounds, according to the almanac, that we will have above-normal rainfall throughout the spring and summer.
Surprise – September and October are expected to be cooler than normal with near-normal rainfall.
I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.
DO YOU HAVE OLD FAMILY PHOTOS of winter fun from the 1950s or earlier? The Recorder’s upcoming supplement, In Business Since, always takes a look back, and this year it’s looking back at Winter Carnival Fun with special old photos from the 1920s and 1930s — local historian Peter S. Miller is providing some from his collection. The Recorder would also like to share some of yours — the older, the better. Contact Chris Harris, who will carefully scan your treasured photo or photos and return them to you. Call her at 413-772-0261, ext. 265 or email her at: charris@recorder.com
A NEW FREE HEALTH BONES/BALANCE CLASS will be offered by the YMCA in Greenfield. If you or someone you know has osteoporosis, osteopenia or you just want to strengthen your bones, check it out. The class will help you build bones, muscles, strength and flexibility, while improving your balance. Light weights and balls will be provided. Classes are offered Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 10 to 11 a.m. They are led by trained retired and senior volunteer program leaders. Call Jayne to register at 413-773-3646, ext. 448. You don’t have to be a member to take the class. The YMCA is accessible.
SAWMILL RIVER ART GALLERY at the Montague Mill is looking for artists to participate in its Small Works Art Exhibit Sale in February. All ages are welcome to submit one or two original works no larger than 6 inches by 6 inches. Register by Jan. 14 at: www.sawmillriverarts.com
There will be an opening reception on Saturday, Feb. 4, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Gallery hours are Monday and Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Thursday through Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. For more information, call 413-367-2885.
A POLISH KOLEDY (POLISH CHRISTMAS CAROL SING-ALONG) will be held Sunday at 2 p.m. at St. Valentine’s Polish National Catholic Church, 127 King St. in Northampton. The event is sponsored by the Polish Heritage Committee and is open to the public. Refreshments and fellowship will follow in Parish Hall. I’m told some of your neighbors from Franklin County plan to be there.
BERNARDSTON UNITARIAN CHURCH has a few things going on this month. The first is a writing group that will meet on Saturday at 4 p.m. and be followed by a potluck supper for all church members at 5:30 p.m. Rev. Steve Wilson will lead the writing group.
If you plan on attending the writing group, here is your assignment: Behind the Curtain of Truth: You are standing in front of the curtain, the curtain behind which truth is revealed. You open the curtain and tell us what happens, what you see, and/or learn.
Then, on Sunday, Dan Tinen will elaborate on the topic of truthtelling. Are we in a “post-truth” era? You have a chance to discuss it with Dan and other church members. For more information about meeting times and place, visit: www.bernardstonunitarian.org
Later in the month, there will be a celebration of Martin Luther King and an art workshop. You should visit the website for all of that information.
GREENFIELD’S COUNCIL ON AGING will show a couple of movies this week. On Wednesday at 1 p.m. “Selma” will be shown. The movie is the true story of courage and hope that changed the world forever. The film follows Martin Luther King Jr. and his followers on their historic march from Selma to Montgomery, Ala. in the face of violent opposition.
Then, on Thursday, “A Streetcar Named Desire” will be shown. Who doesn’t remember this classic Tennessee Williams film starring Marlon Brando and Vivien Leigh. And if you haven’t seen it, that’s even more reason to get to the Senior Center and see it with your friends and neighbors.
THE GREENFIELD SENIOR CENTER will also welcome the Food Bank on Thursday from 10 to 11 a.m. with its Brown Bag food distribution for qualifying seniors. Paul Mark will hold legislative hours at the center Friday from 1 to 3 p.m. – you can just drop in – with no appointment needed.
BINGO IS BACK at Greenfield Savings Bank on Saturday from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at 282 Avenue A in Turners Falls. Seating is on a first-come basis, so make your reservation today by calling 413-863-4316. Due to limited space, no one will be admitted without a reservation.
To contact Anita Fritz, features editor at The Recorder, send an email to: neighbors@recorder.com or afritz@recorder.com Information you want included in Neighbors should be submitted by noon two days before you want it to run. Neighbors runs on Wednesday.