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By EVELINE MACDOUGALL

Faced with total vision loss in the near future, many people might understandably respond with despair, fear, anger, or all three. Yet Virginia “Jinx” Hastings, 80, faces such loss in inspiring ways. After undergoing more than a dozen procedures for glaucoma, Hastings learned that she’s exhausted surgical solutions; her response was to create art, which is currently on display through July at the Dickinson Memorial Library in Northfield.

By EVELINE MACDOUGALL

Jen Matos lives with an impressive menagerie and introduces her animals to people in inspiring ways. She also cares for sentient beings through her business, Touch Needed Massage Therapy and Wellness Center, “dedicated to helping you and your four-legged friends.”

By EVELINE MACDOUGALL

Fun, educational, and surprising things are happening this summer at – and through – the Greenfield Public Library. Although this column focuses on a fishy new pilot project, readers are encouraged to check out GPL offerings to learn about the astounding array of new and ongoing opportunities, including summer reading programs, the Common Seed Project, a community baby shower, free passes to regional museums, and Worldwide Knit in Public Day, coming up on June 14.

By EVELINE MACDOUGALL

Local youngsters wishing to develop fiber arts, textile, and other creative skills have a chance at being mentored by an Ashfield woman who – for about a decade – made a living in New York City by running an unusual business. “I made chain mail, professionally,” said Lisa Fortin. Readers may be wondering how Fortin made a go of it; after all, how many knights in shining armor populate the Big Apple?

By EVELINE MACDOUGALL

(This is part two of a two-part series about the literary work and life of Ashfield resident Hilary Sloin, who died in 2019.)

By EVELINE MACDOUGALL

(This is part one of a two-part series about the literary work and life of Ashfield resident Hilary Sloin, who died in 2019.)

By EVELINE MACDOUGALL

When Shelburne resident Elisha Poulin gave a public presentation recently about biodynamic farming and gardening, there were occasional quizzical expressions on the faces of some attendees. Yet I was primed to listen with an open mind, thanks to a comment made last fall by Greenfield resident Ryan Nestor, who I interviewed for a story about growing sweet potatoes.

By EVELINE MACDOUGALL

Anyone seeking a great way to dive into gardening season – or simply celebrate spring in a beautiful place – is invited to visit the Seeds of Solidarity Farm and Education Center in Orange on Saturday morning, April 26. At 10:30 am, they’ll host a free, one-hour program called Grow Great Gardens, after which attendees are welcome to take self-guided tours. The event coincides with their farm stand’s opening day.

By EVELINE MACDOUGALL

What can you get at a local library that you aren’t required to return? The answer can be found at Greenfield Community College. Now in its 10th year, their seed library has a new logo and new name honoring longtime librarian Hope Schneider, now retired, who helped launch the college library’s program in 2015. Hope’s Seed Library now contains expanded offerings, including seeds collected from GCC gardens. While library patrons aren’t required to return seeds, growers are encouraged to consider bringing seeds saved from resulting plants, thereby helping the program to thrive.

By EVELINE MACDOUGALL

Last week’s column featured Peter Ruhf, multimedia artist and philosopher. This week, we delve into Ruhf’s unusual upbringing and influences. By the time this goes to print, some will have attended the March 28 opening reception of “The Visionary, Surrealistic, and Psychedelic Art of Peter Ruhf” at Greenfield’s TEOLOS gallery. Those who missed it can take heart: the show runs through April 26.

By EVELINE MACDOUGALL

By EVELINE MACDOUGALL

The March 28 reception to launch a Greenfield exhibit showcasing the work of Peter Ruhf will be no ordinary event, because Peter Ruhf is no ordinary fellow. The exhibit promises to shift perspectives about art, discipline and brilliance. Those in attendance will meet the man listed in the Guinness Book of World Records multiple times as Boomerang World Champion; if you’ve never met anyone who’s been featured on the cover of Life magazine, dear readers, here’s your chance.

By EVELINE MACDOUGALL

“My mother fed birds in our backyard, which backed up to a nice woodland,” Greenfield resident Pat Serrentino, a lifelong bird observer, said.

By EVELINE MACDOUGALL

Stella Verlander, a Greenfield High School senior who plans to study political science in college with an eye toward an environmental law degree, is president of the GHS Sustainability Club. Verlander revived the club following pandemic interruptions, with the aim of educating people about issues related to conservation, climate crises, and political action. “Any obstacles are not about lack of interest,” she said. “The real problem is ignorance.”

By EVELINE MACDOUGALL

A crowd recently gathered at the Second Congregational Church to hear ecologist and educator Dr. Martha Gach describe how to support birds by growing and tending plants. Gach delivered a sobering update: the number of birds worldwide has decreased by 30% since 1970; nearly 3 billion birds died unnaturally in that time span.

By EVELINE MACDOUGALL

Lily Bix-Daw, 25, heads to Dallas this week for intricate surgery to address idiopathic condylar resorption, a degenerative and debilitating condition affecting the jaw and many adjacent body parts. ICR would test anyone’s endurance and sanity, yet despite steep challenges, the Easthampton resident is on schedule to receive her BA from the University of Massachusetts Amherst this spring, having pursued her degree while enduring staggering pain, disfigurement, and financial hardship.

By EVELINE MACDOUGALL

(Editor’s note: This is part two in a two-part series.)

By EVELINE MACDOUGALL

Aliza Fassler is a scientist who spends a lot of time outdoors, and the Greenfield native offers a tip that can lead to an extraordinary experience. The next time you’re perspiring while outdoors on a warm day, keep an eye out for a tiny flying insect. If a golden green sweat bee (Augochlorella aurata) lands on you, there’s a chance you could observe it licking the salt on your skin. If you look carefully, you might even see its miniscule tongue. “It tickles!” said Fassler.

By EVELINE MACDOUGALL

Over the last few decades, many people felt inspired to learn skills that were common in earlier times. The recent pandemic era nudged even more people to take up practices like baking sourdough bread, knitting, building furniture, and a mind-boggling number of other pursuits. Tutorials are readily available through libraries and on the internet, but there are limits, right? We’re unlikely to find hobbyists handcrafting cars, building computers from scratch, or making their own shoes.

By EVELINE MACDOUGALL

Stepping into an animal enclosure after dusk on Friday the 13th, I moved slowly among feathery shapes that appeared grey in December’s early darkness. The full moon, low in the sky, was the only light source; the atmosphere was eerie and wholly...

By EVELINE MACDOUGALL

A rollicking group who bonded through a class at Franklin County’s YMCA in Greenfield have produced a calendar for 2025 that celebrates beautiful humans in their 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s. Let’s meet some water nymphs who could grace your wall if you get...