South County Notebook: Sept. 17, 2026

Events lined up at Field Memorial Library

CONWAY — Field Memorial Library is kicking fall off with a busy lineup of events.

From Sept. 18 to 21, visitors can roam the Story Walk featuring “My America” by Karen Katz, a children’s book that tells the stories of children who immigrated to the United States, at Veterans Memorial Park across from Town Hall. Activity kits will also be available in a plastic container on a first-come, first-served basis.

On Saturday, Sept. 19, western Massachusetts-based musician, songwriter and puppeteer Tom Knight will lead a “Library Boogie,” a musical puppet show made possible through a Massachusetts Cultural Council grant and with support from the Friends of the Field Memorial Library.

“This family-friendly program brings the magic of the library to life for children and adults alike,” Field Memorial Library Director Linda McDaniel wrote in an email.

The library is also accepting donations for The Friends’ Fall Book Sale on Saturday, Oct. 3, and Sunday, Oct. 4. Visitors can drop off puzzles and books of any genre, except self-help books, during open hours on Mondays from 3 to 6 p.m., Wednesdays from 2 to 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Sept. 19: Emma’s Revolution to perform

LEVERETT — Singer-songwriters Pat Humphries and Sandy O of folk duo Emma’s Revolution will return to 194 Long Plain Road as part of Mount Toby Concerts for an afternoon of songs and storytelling on Saturday, Sept. 19, at 4 p.m.

According to a statement from Mount Toby Concerts, the duo, named after activist Emma Goldman and known for “fearless truth-telling lyrics and melodies you can’t resist singing,” has performed at protests for peace, women’s rights, labor rights, environmental protection and other causes over the last 25 years.

The suggested donation to attend the concert is $20 to $30. For reservations and more information, email reservations@mounttobyfriends.org.

Sept. 19 and 20: Old Deerfield Fall Arts & Crafts Festival

DEERFIELD — Craft vendors will fill Memorial Street again for the 50th anniversary of the Old Deerfield Fall Arts & Crafts Festival.

The festival will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 19, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 20. Admission is $8 for adults and free for children under 12 years old. Free shuttle buses and parking will be available at a marked lot along Routes 5 and 10 at the Yankee Candle Corporate Headquarters, located at 16 Yankee Candle Way.

Sept. 23: Wildlife photography presentation, exhibit

SOUTH DEERFIELD — Photographer Steve Upton of South Deerfield will lead a presentation and walk visitors through his exhibit in the Community Room of Tilton Library at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 23.

The suggested donation is $20, with proceeds benefiting the library.

Then, on Saturday, Sept. 26, at 10:30 a.m., adult visitors can take photos of their own and participate in a Mindfulness Photography Workshop in the Community Room.

Sept. 23: Flu clinic

SOUTH DEERFIELD — Residents ages 65 and older can stop by the South Deerfield Fire Station, 84 Greenfield Road, for a flu clinic on Thursday, Sept. 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Advance registration is recommended, but walk-ins are allowed if enough time and supplies are available. A registration QR code is available on the Deerfield town website.

Sept. 27: Whately Historical Society’s Fall Festival

WHATELY — Visitors can learn about birds, create fall crafts, listen to music and get snacks at the Whately Historical Society’s Fall Festival on Sunday, Sept. 27, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Whately Town Hall, 194 Chestnut Plain Road.

Tom Ricardi of the Birds of Prey Rehabilitation Center will bring owls and other birds to the festival, Jane Banash will teach attendees how to create dried and silk flowers and wreaths, and Irish band New Leaf will perform. Visitors can also buy maple products from John’s Maple and chrysanthemums donated by Mill River Farm, or grab lunch from Cliff’s Smokin’ Backyard BBQ or a sweet treat from Maple Valley Creamery.

Old Deerfield Painting Group artists reflect for 35th exhibit

DEERFIELD — This year’s Old Deerfield Painting Group exhibit, held from Aug. 23 to Aug. 30 at the Deerfield Community Center, featured reflections of many kinds, from paintings of rivers, ponds and mirrors, to “internal reflections on the condition of the world in which we live,” as Greenfield resident David Sund, the group’s facilitator, described.

“I always like to settle on [a theme] that is open-ended enough so that all of our painters feel comfortable doing what they do,” Sund said of the exhibit’s “Reflections” theme. “Everybody just takes the theme and runs with it.”

Member Thomas Williams, who lives in Greenfield, drew a sandy self-portrait of himself serving in the military in 2005.

“For me, it was auto-biographical. It was reflecting back on events in my life and trying to make sense of them,” Williams said at the exhibit. “People will look at the paintings and if you’ve done well, they begin to think about what story you’re trying to tell. That’s what I was hoping for, because mine could be interpreted in any number of ways.”

Other paintings by the 12 artists featured self-portraits reflected in a mirror, landscapes with natural reflections, town landmarks, watercolor flowers stitched together into collages and other interpretations across several mediums.

“There is such amazing ranges of talents here,” Williams said. “Being part of that community, you can’t help but learn and grow as an artist.”

Senior tax work-off program moving forward in Deerfield

DEERFIELD — After Town Meeting voters approved the implementation of a property tax work-off program for residents over 60 years old earlier this year, the Selectboard unanimously voted to start the program at its Sept. 2 meeting.

According to Town Administrator Christopher Dunne, the maximum abatement for participants’ property taxes is $1,500 for performing tasks like gardening, assisting Recreation Director Gaby Richard-Harrington with running sporting events and other responsibilities at Town Hall. Dunne will also explore possible positions with Tilton Library, the South County Senior Center and the Historical Commission.

Those interested in applying for the program can email Dunne at townadmin@town.deerfield.ma.us.