Here are some brief thoughts on recent happenings in Franklin County and the North Quabbin region.
Combine an iconic destination with a pandemic-friendly holiday experience and you get an event that promises to become a holiday tradition in Franklin County. We’re talking about Light Up the Fairgrounds, which makes its debut this weekend.
Inspired by Springfield’s Bright Nights, the drive-thru will feature 30 juried holiday light displays by local individuals, businesses and organizations.
Organizer Ericka Almeida, development director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Franklin County (BBBS), said she was searching for a way to raise money while also bringing some holiday cheer. WHAI got on board with publicity, Franklin First Federal Credit Union is sponsoring prize money for best displays, and the fairgrounds, which Almeida called “a natural fit,” is donating their space.
Each vehicle will be charged a minimum of $5, though anyone may give more. The money will go to support three local nonprofits: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Franklin County, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Regional Dog Shelter and the Franklin County Agricultural Society, which owns the fairgrounds.
“We believe that ‘Light Up the Fairgrounds’ will be a bright spot during this holiday season,” Almeida said. We agree and recommend readers take it in starting this weekend, Nov. 27-29, from 5 to 9 p.m. The event continues the following two weekends: Dec. 4-6 and 11-13.
The county’s longest-serving School Committee member simply ran out of kids in school.
When Pat Shearer of Northfield first ran for school board 44 years ago, following husband Tom’s six years of service, their youngest was entering first grade in the district. Their three daughters all went on to graduate from Pioneer Valley Regional School, as did some of their children. Shearer’s youngest grandson graduated two years ago.
They, along with two generations of 4-H Club children “making a mess out of my kitchen,” as Shearer put it, had been her ears to the ground. “If you have children in school,” Shearer said, “you really hear that day-to-day stuff that you miss otherwise.” That, and the fact that both Shearers graduated from PVRS, afforded a rare perspective that no formal career in education or advanced degrees can match.
There are many ways that Shearer will be missed on the School Committee, from her nuts-and-bolts understanding of municipal budgeting to her leadership through five superintendents and two renovation projects. Looking back on her tenure, Shearer said that “education is always evolving.” What never changes is the importance of advocating for kids, as Shearer has done for 44 years.
It’s rare that a doughnut shop evokes the loyalty and affection that Adams Donuts has from its customers, who welcomed the news of its reopening this past Saturday. Maybe it’s the specialty recipes like their new peach cobbler, caramel latte and cannoli varieties. Or the local Pierce Brothers coffee, which developed a new blend of Nice Blonde Roast called Twice As Nice — both new owners are blondes — just for Adams. Or the old school ambiance of its Federal Street coffee shop. But Adams certainly has earned its staying power despite setbacks such as fundraising for a new fryer hood and, more recently, the pandemic-related shutdown.
Now under the ownership of sisters Sidra Baranoski and Sabra Billings, Adams Donuts is once again open for business. It’s a little different this time around. Due to COVID restrictions, there will be no indoor seating, customers will need to wear masks and social distance, and the number allowed inside will be limited. But there’s new outdoor seating and curbside service, and Baranoski and Billings are eager to indulge customers’ whims with new menu items such as breakfast sandwiches.
The shop is open Wednesday through Saturday, from 6 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.