Carnegie Public Library brainstorming ideas for grant
TURNERS FALLS — The Carnegie Public Library, the flagship location of the three branches of the Montague Public Libraries, is receiving $10,000 from the Carnegie Corporation of New York to mark the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
According to Montague Public Libraries Director Caitlin Kelley, this grant was provided to all existing Carnegie Libraries in the United States, and the money is available for any use. With the funds expected to come in January, Kelley said brainstorming for how to use the money is ongoing.
“It’s totally unexpected and we’re excited to get it,” Kelley said about the grant.
So far, Kelley said library staff have submitted some of their ideas for what they’d like to see the money be used for, and the board of trustees will meet and share its thoughts on what the money can support.
According to the Carnegie Corporation of New York, the $10,000 gifts are part of a $20 million initiative created to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence “by supporting America’s civic institutions and organizations that foster civic participation and bring people together.”
Apartheid-free communities resolution heads to state Legislature, governor
MONTAGUE — Following its approval at an Oct. 22 Special Town Meeting, the Selectboard authorized sending a copy of the resolution declaring Montague to be an apartheid-free community to the state Legislature and to Gov. Maura Healey’s office.
The Selectboard unanimously approved sending a letter requesting that the resolution be reviewed, and that the Legislature and governor “advise the town of any actions to end apartheid you have taken or would like to assist the town in performing.”
Three separate letters with the language of the Special Town Meeting warrant article were addressed to Healey’s office, the state Senate via the office of Sen. Jo Comerford, D-Northampton, and the House of Representatives via Rep. Natalie Blais, D-Deerfield.
The apartheid-free community resolution declares that Montague recognizes the equal rights of all people and stands in solidarity with the people of Palestine, who are facing “discriminatory legal regimes, forced displacement, movement restrictions and systematic human rights abuses” by the government of Israel.
Santa coming to Montague Center
MONTAGUE CENTER — Santa Claus will pay a visit to the First Congregational Church at 4 North St. on Saturday, Nov. 15, as part of the annual Fete Noel Christmas fair from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
The event will feature a variety of items available to purchase, including crafts, baked goods and gently used clothes, along with prize drawings for a lottery card wreath and food baskets.
Coffee will be served with baked goods during breakfast, then lunch will be corn chowder, minestrone soup, stuffed rolls, pie and pumpkin roll. Santa will be in attendance from 10:30 and 11:30 a.m.
Proceeds from the Christmas fair will go toward a variety of local and national causes, including the Franklin County Community Meals Program, the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, LifePath’s Meals on Wheels program, the SHINE (Serving the Health Insurance Needs of Everyone) Program and the Montague Police Department’s K-9.
Nov. 15: Make fairy houses at Discovery Center
TURNERS FALLS — Children and teens ages 3 to 16, accompanied by a caregiver, are invited to build their own fairy houses at the Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, with Montague Public Libraries staff on Saturday, Nov. 15, from 1 to 3 p.m.
Naturalist to lead wildflower identification workshop
TURNERS FALLS — Naturalist Dawn Marvin Ward will lead a workshop on identifying summer wildflowers in their winter form at the Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, on Saturday, Nov. 22, from 1 to 2:30 p.m.
Guests will use photos and hands-on exploration for the workshop. The session will be held inside at the Discovery Center’s Great Hall.