Arts & Life
‘Everybody wants to tell their story’: Ten historical societies participating in Hilltown History Trail, Aug. 2
By MADISON SCHOFIELD
History lovers take note: the fourth annual Hilltown History Trail will take place on Aug. 2.
Meet the Bluebird Lady of Birnam Road: Northfield resident shares avian hobby with neighbors
By EVELINE MACDOUGALL
Anyone seeing a bluebird up close can understand why this feathered friend symbolizes happiness. Our eastern bluebird (Sialia sialis) captures the hearts of many with their vibrant plumage, and Susan Brock of Northfield is a devotee who helps spread the joy to others.
‘Like I'm standing in a room of giants’: Meet Elana Casey, new associate director of the Augusta Savage Gallery at UMass Amherst
By CAROLYN BROWN
Elana Casey, the new associate director of the Augusta Savage Gallery at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, is new to the Pioneer Valley, but not to promoting art – especially Black art – in the community.
Let’s Talk Relationships: Bridging the emotional divide between genders: Part 2: What the brain tells us
By AMY NEWSHORE
Emotional connection in a relationship happens when partners mutually experience being seen, heard and understood. It’s when it feels safe to be your full self and know the other “gets” you. It’s the glue that helps partners feel close, supported, and deeply bonded.
Valley Bounty: The joy of blueberry season: Sobieski’s River Valley Farm in Whately has been growing blueberries since 1977
By LISA GOODRICH
Blueberry season is here. Whether from farm stands, farmers markets, or in the fields for pick-your-own, the beloved berry freezes well, dries well and makes sublime jams and preserves — if they last beyond being eaten fresh.
Celebrate Indigenous culture and history: 12th annual Pocumtuck Homelands Festival returns to Unity Park, Aug. 2
By ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN
The annual Pocumtuck Homelands Festival returns to Unity Park for the 12th year on Saturday, Aug. 2 and Sunday, Aug. 3, with special events on Friday, Aug. 1, to lead into the weekend celebration of Indigenous culture and history.
Book Review: Travel needn’t break the bank: Huntington artist pens guide for traveling on a budget
By TINKY WEISBLAT
Book Review: “Travel on $50/Day (or less!)” by Steve Hamlin (privately published, 113 pages).
Sounds Local: There’s no place like home: Western Mass turned West Coast country singer Rosie Porter tours old stomping grounds
By SHERYL HUNTER
Rosie Porter understands that there is no place like home. The country singer, a former resident of Greenfield, moved to California in 2024, and while she enjoys the West Coast and the move has positively impacted her career, she is eager to return to western Massachusetts for a three-week tour. The tour kicks off tonight, Thursday, July 24, at Shelburne Springs, 904 Mohawk Trail, from 6 to 8 p.m.
Speaking of Nature: Like floating jewels: A single blossom on a fragrant water lily blooms for only three days
By BILL DANIELSON
We find ourselves in the middle of “deep summer.” Air conditioners are running at full tilt and many outdoor activities are restricted to the early-morning hours before things get really uncomfortable. I know that I frequently find myself thinking about jumping into a pond in the middle of a hot summer afternoon. Pools of dark water that hide secrets from us are very alluring when the temperature rises and the idea of quietly floating in a lake or pond is something that will resonate with many of you. As it happens, I was lucky enough to get the chance to do just that when visiting my brother up in Maine.
Worth every penny: Cherry season is short and sweet
By TINKY WEISBLAT
My father used to say that we are all cheap in our own ways. I prefer to use the terms “frugal,” “economical,” or “cost conscious.” Still, I knew what he meant. Whatever our budgets may be (and mine is sometimes very small), we each establish personal priorities about how we want to use those budgets.
Painting through the canvas ceiling: The Clark exults the triumphs of early British woman artist-activists
By DON STEWART
You can view more than 80 objets d’art, ranging from monumental paintings, woodcuts, and fine embroidery to stained glass, all direct from England, at Williamstown’s Clark Art Institute through Sept. 14.
Stroll through noteworthy gardens: Two Ashfield residents participate in nationwide Open Garden Day, Saturday, July 19
By MADISON SCHOFIELD
Two Ashfield residents will be opening their gardens to visitors seeking a tour today, Saturday, July 19, as part of a nationwide Open Garden Day, organized by the Garden Conservancy.
Book Review: Joy in ‘The Wonder and Happiness of Being Old’: Northampton author’s new book offers insights on aging
By TINKY WEISBLAT
Book Review: “The Wonder and Happiness of Being Old” by Sophy Burnham (Andrews McMeel Publishing, 256 pages)
Valley Bounty: ‘Neighbors selling to neighbors’: Ashfield and Shelburne Falls Farmers Markets are quintessential New England open-air markets
By LISA GOODRICH
The Berkshire Mountains of western Massachusetts are among the oldest mountain formations in the country, continuing the Green Mountain Range from Vermont to the south. The Hilltowns are the eastern foothills of the Berkshires, with 22 sparsely populated towns, including the two western Franklin county towns of Ashfield and Shelburne. They are separated by approximately 10 miles as the crow flies, and over 800 feet of elevation; yet both are home to timeless, friendly seasonal farmers markets.
Gill farmer experiences ‘miracle healing’: Danny Botkin of Laughing Dog Farm shares recovery journey
By EVELINE MACDOUGALL
The western Massachusetts farming community is made up of hardworking folks who generally work with family members or small crews, but who also keep tabs on one another through farmers markets, agricultural meetings, and other events. When a farmer experiences hardships, their peers care deeply and offer support when possible. Over the last few years, concerned locals have followed staggering and mysterious challenges faced by Danny Botkin of Laughing Dog Farm in Gill. Botkin is widely considered a regional hero due to his generous dedication to educating others about seed saving, four-season gardening, and other aspects of growing and eating organically grown produce.
Faith Matters: How we will go the distance: Being human is a team sport
By BISHOP DOUG FISHER
Recently, my friends from high school and I went to Iowa to visit the place where the iconic movie “Field of Dreams” was made. We rented the field and played baseball for two hours. It was just like the movie.
Sounds Local: Discover ‘the best band you never heard of’: The Samples perform at the Shea Theater Arts Center in Turners Falls on Friday
By SHERYL HUNTER
“The Best Band You Never Heard Of” is the name of a 2011 documentary about The Samples, a rock group that was part of the jam scene in the late 1980s and 1990s and went on to experience a career with more twists and turns than your favorite mystery novel.
Speaking of Nature: Bouncing through the grass: The flight window for the northern pearly-eye is July
By BILL DANIELSON
It is now “full summer” and, as many others might be tempted to do, I have gone on my first camping trip of the year. To be honest, it was more like a “glamping” trip. My brother has a new camp up in northern Maine and my sister traveled north to enjoy a sort of camping reunion. There were no spouses, no pets, and no responsibilities other than relaxing and having fun. My brother installed a wonderful array of solar panels, which gave us access to electricity. Only the absence of running water made this anything remotely related to camping.
The hot new spot in Shelburne Falls: Hotfire Bar and Grill feels in many ways like a home kitchen
By TINKY WEISBLAT
As a food writer, I am embarrassed to say that I’m never the first person in the area to discover a new restaurant. My culinary bent and my low income lead me to eat at home most of the time. Nevertheless, I do eventually hear from people I know about new eateries.
World of wonder: Walter Wick’s dynamic photographic illustrations at Norman Rockwell Museum
By DON STEWART
STOCKBRIDGE — The dynamic images of photographic illustrator Walter Wick can be viewed through Oct. 26 in four galleries at Stockbridge’s Norman Rockwell Museum.
Your Daily Puzzles
An approachable redesign to a classic. Explore our "hints."
A quick daily flip. Finally, someone cracked the code on digital jigsaw puzzles.
Chess but with chaos: Every day is a unique, wacky board.
Word search but as a strategy game. Clearing the board feels really good.
Align the letters in just the right way to spell a word. And then more words.
