Deerfield Cultural Council accepting grant applications
DEERFIELD — The Deerfield Cultural Council has kicked off its funding cycle for fiscal year 2027 and is on the hunt for cultural activities to support in town.
The council is part of a network of 329 Local Cultural Councils under the Massachusetts Cultural Council, according to Deerfield Cultural Council Chair Emily Gaylord.
Local artists, educators, cultural organizations and performance groups are invited to apply for grant funding to support cultural activities that benefit the Deerfield community. This year, the council is looking for projects that “highlight Deerfield’s rich history; enhance community-oriented arts, culture and science; promote inclusivity; and foster activity that is accessible and available to all ages,” Gaylord said.
The deadline to apply is Thursday, Oct. 15. For detailed information on eligibility, funding priorities and application instructions, all interested applicants are encouraged to visit the Deerfield Cultural Council’s page on the Massachusetts Cultural Council website: massculturalcouncil.org/local-council/deerfield.
Oct 16: Vaccine clinic in Leverett
LEVERETT — As flu season creeps in, residents can stop by Leverett Town Hall at 9 Montague Road for flu and COVID-19 vaccines on Friday, Oct. 16, from 4 to 7 p.m.
Health insurance cards are required. Walk-ins are welcome, but those who are interested can register online at tinyurl.com/4yb54zje.
Oct. 19: ‘Democracy at a Crossroads’
SUNDERLAND — Ahead of the Nov. 3 state election, Joel Wolfe, a history professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, will discuss the state of democracy in Brazil and its lessons for Americans in his talk, “Democracy at a Crossroads,” at the First Congregational Church of Sunderland on Monday, Oct. 19, at 6:30 p.m.
“Brazil has been a vibrant democracy since it exited from a 21-year military dictatorship in 1985. When Brazilians promulgated their new constitution in 1988, they had frank and penetrating conversations about what democracy is and how a country can judge how democratic it is in practice,” Wolfe said in a statement. “Brazilians were able to do that because they did not take open politics for granted given their nation’s long history of exclusion. The Brazilian case contrasts with how Americans tend to think about politics and democracy, because many people here simply assume we are among the most democratic and open societies, and that our institutions almost automatically protect democracy. Americans have not often reflected on the efficacy and durability of our political system.”
“Dr. Wolfe’s research reveals not only how precious democracy is in today’s world, but also how fragile it is,” said Sunderland Human Rights Task Force member Aaron Falbel. “The lessons of Brazil, which are still evolving at this very moment, provide a cautionary tale.”
The Sunderland Human Rights Task Force, the Understand Antisemitism Committee and the First Congregational Church of Sunderland are co-sponsoring the free presentation.
“These are perilous times,” said Mariana Chilton of Sunderland. “We on the
Sunderland Human Rights Task Force hope that many people join us to learn more about how we can protect our basic freedoms and our right to vote in free and fair elections.”
Oct 25: ‘Decoding the Ballot’
SOUTH DEERFIELD — About a week before folks cast their votes in the Nov. 3 state election, the citizens group Engage: Deerfield is hosting “Decoding the Ballot” at the 1821 Meeting House, located at 71 North Main St, on Sunday, Oct. 25. Doors open at 2:45 p.m. and the event will start at 3 p.m.
The nonpartisan program is intended to help clarify the wide-ranging statewide ballot questions that voters will decide. Engage: Deerfield will moderate a discussion about what “yes” and “no” votes mean for each of the nine ballot questions, followed by an audience question-and-answer session. The panel includes Linda Dunlavy, executive director of the Franklin Regional Council of Governments; Denise Mason, Deerfield Planning Board chair; Vincent Russo, real estate agent and Engage: Deerfield coordinator; and Amy Lavallee and Lora Wondolowski, candidates for state representative in the 1st Franklin District.
Admission is free, though donations are appreciated to pay for refreshments and support Engage: Deerfield’s conversation series.
Oct. 26: Energy facility siting listening session
SHUTESBURY — The Healey-Driscoll administration will host a listening session at the Shutesbury Public Library, 66 Leverett Road, about siting energy facilities on Monday, Oct. 26, from 12:30 to 2 p.m.
While registration is not required, those interested in attending are welcome to complete a Google Form at tinyurl.com/b97jmwst.
Electronics recycling available on Oct. 31
SOUTH DEERFIELD — Residents from Deerfield and surrounding communities are invited to an electronics recycling event on Saturday, Oct. 31, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Holy Family Roman Catholic Church parking lot at 29 Sugarloaf St.
Green Day Recycling will be collecting electronics, appliances, reusable bicycles and anything with a plug or batteries. Computer hard drives will be destroyed during the recycling process. Most items are subject to a recycling fee, with prices ranging from $5 to $40. A portion of the proceeds will go toward the parish.
The event, which will be held rain or shine, “offers an opportunity to reduce waste and help keep hazardous materials out of landfills,” according to an event announcement from Green Day Recycling.
When arriving, Green Day Recycling advises participants to follow the cones and directions from the workers, bring their vehicle as close to the truck or dumpster as possible, and remain in their vehicle while workers unload their items.
Cash payment is preferred, but checks will be accepted for payments over $30.
For a complete list of pricing and accepted items, details about business cleanouts or information about working with Green Day Recycling to host an event, visit GreenDayRecycling.net.
Oct. 31: Fall Bazaar in South Deerfield
SOUTH DEERFIELD — The Fall Bazaar will return with its signature Polish dishes on Saturday, Oct. 31, from 9 a.m. to noon.
At the Holy Name of Jesus Parish at 15 Thayer St., attendees can enter a raffle and fill their plates with homemade pierogi, Gołąbki, soups, pies and other baked goods.
Frontier gets $250K to update building management system
SOUTH DEERFIELD — With the help of a $250,000 grant, Frontier Regional School will update its building management system for heating and cooling that is “running on its last leg,” according to Superintendent Darius Modestow.
The Deerfield Energy Conservation Committee secured the $250,000 through the Green Communities program.
“They chose to go out of their way to update Frontier,” Modestow said at the Sept. 8 School Committee meeting after thanking the Energy Conservation Committee for the “significant” investment.
“This is great news,” Deerfield Town Administrator Christopher Dunne told the Selectboard at its Sept. 9 meeting. “It’s an exciting project to move forward.”
Whately’s Giving Garden closes out a fruitful year
WHATELY — In its second summer, the Giving Garden gave away a plethora of donated plants to locals in need.
Oct. 3 marked the last Saturday of the year that Giving Garden Committee members and volunteers gathered under a tent at the Whately Transfer Station to give away fresh produce. On the menu were tomatoes, zucchini, peppers, strawberries, peaches, raspberries, winter squash, herbs and other plants from local gardeners and farms like Nourse Farms, Fairview Farms, Happy Valley Organics and others, according to Giving Garden Committee Chair Julianna Waggoner. Whately Elementary School children also joined in by growing potatoes with help from the Whately Agricultural Commission.
With support from the Agricultural Commission, the Giving Garden Committee Chair raffled off 10 free raised garden beds to locals who would not have normally grown their own produce, Waggoner highlighted.
Folks who missed the Saturday tent can check out the small food pantry in the lobby of the Whately Town Offices.
“It’s been a great community effort,” Waggoner said, “and extremely well-received by the residents.”