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I have been very troubled that so much of our social and political discourse has become confrontational and hostile. In an effort to set a different tone in the upcoming election in Deerfield, I reached out to Tim Hilchey and Dave Wolfram, the two candidates for the Selectboard in Deerfield, and asked both of them if they would be willing to jointly plan and hold an informational meeting in the spirit that we can have our differences but we can discuss them in a respectful and civil manner. They both agreed and they will hold an informational gathering on Friday, April 25, at the Polish American Citizen’s Club located at 46 South Main St. in South Deerfield.

By PATRICK MCGREEVY

By PHILIP LUSSIER

By JUDY WAGNER

It’s not possible to protest the weather. March is officially the unsettled lion/lamb month, so we mostly give it a pass. With April we attempt to gloss over its tendency to be damp (“April showers bring May flowers”); still frustration builds after some number of grey and chill days with only a few bedraggled daffodils brave enough to show their faces. On top of the more familiar seasonal anomalies, we are hearing about many “out of season” events — too much rain, twisters, snow and sleet — all vagaries related to climate disruption. While we may feel like sounding off, we know we won’t find much relief hollering into the wind.

In July, I typically spend time in the garden, pruning back overgrown shrubs and flowers. They are just at that point where the plant is busting out all over, and becoming huge; but the flower is about to pass by. Kind of like when you know you need your haircut, because it’s starting to annoy you. But when you make the appointment, you feel a pang because it just looks so — perfect right now. It would feel worse to be ruthless if it wasn’t grounded in some real knowledge. And expertise. And yes, it is indeed (you guessed, clever reader) an analogy for many other things in life.

Regarding the article, “Greenfield City Council passes ‘sanctuary city’ resolution for trans, gender-diverse people,” [Recorder, April 18], I want Greenfield to be a safe city, where gender-nonconforming kids are free to grow up happy and healthy. The assumption behind “gender-affirming care” is that children who don’t adhere to gender norms need drugs and surgery. A safe city is a place where parents can get accurate information about kids and gender, instead of being told that their children will harm themselves if they don’t undergo irreversible life-altering procedures. They need a way to determine whether gender dysphoria is the cause of a child’s mental distress or a symptom.

If you’ve ever thought about buying an electric bike, now could be the time. The Massachusetts E-Bike Voucher Program is now in effect. The program assists low-and moderate-income Massachusetts residents by providing a voucher that dramatically reduces the cost of an e-bike. The program will award approximately 500 vouchers each month from April to September. Residents can apply during a two-week period each month.

I’m writing to express my support for Tim Hilchey’s candidacy for the Deerfield Select Board.

In just a little over four months we’ve experienced a continuous erosion of our constitutional rights by President Donald Trump and his billionaire cronies. In just four months he has turned countries that were stanch allies for over 70 years, in Europe and Canada. All this as he cozies up and placates countries that are nothing but that authoritarian regimes (thugs).

By MARILYN MARKS

During these times of political, economic, and climate turbulence, anger and alarm surge and tensions run high. In responding to our poly-crisis situation, we quickly assign blame. However, pointing the finger at Washington, D.C. and shouting “Tyranny!” is ideally balanced with uprooting the tyranny we may unknowingly carry within ourselves.

BY CARRIE KLINE

Changes are coming so quickly these days that it’s hard to address anything that isn’t bleeding and burning. And yet, some issues that are urgent are largely silent, that is, until they explode. We are on the brink of disaster. Nothing can compare with the immediate decimation of life on earth as we know it. With this in mind, and motivated by the passage of resolutions in other cities and towns in our area and throughout our commonwealth, nation and world, I am bringing a Resolution in Favor of a Nuclear Weapons Freeze to the Sunderland Town Meeting on April 25.

As Democrats resist President Donald Trump here in Franklin County and throughout the United States, those of us on the right try our best to ignore their hysteria. These activists can’t fathom Trump’s appeal and are hopping mad that he has returned to the White House with “an unprecedented and powerful mandate.” The man is almost 80, but he’s still full of vim and vigour (and you’d swear he’s 20 years younger than Joe Biden). Kamala Harris, on the other hand, was just full of hot air. And, honestly, I will always feel immense joy over the fact that this unintelligible candidate failed to win a single battleground state in her doomed bid for the presidency.

A vision of Deerfield’s future.

We cannot express enough gratitude for our volunteers’ incredible work for Pioneer Valley Hospice & Palliative Care. Their passion, dedication, and unwavering commitment to our cause have left a lasting impact, and we feel truly fortunate to have them as members of our team.

Walking in others’ shoes should be a lesson taught in all schools. This could teach empathy and compassion for what others might be going through. Sometimes we need to see and feel what others have gone through to understand and have total compassion for them.

By BEN GROSSCUP

By CARL DOERNER

By JON HUER

Let’s imagine that you are about to eat a cookie that has been touched and handled by over a thousand (yes, a thousand) different hands. Or, you just found out that the hotel where you stayed last night used the same sheets for over 100 guests.

By ELLEN VILLANI

It’s not a department that the federal government is in control of. It’s a way of life, a philosophy ingrained into our actions, behaviors and everyday lives. We practice DEI with no need of governance or directive. It is us and we are it.

Deerfield is in the position where we have two candidates running for a seat on the Selectboard that have both held the position. The decision of who to vote for is very easy for me.