Columnist Daniel Cantor Yalowitz: Holding on to what matters

By DANIEL CANTOR YALOWITZ

We all learn at some point in life that nothing is permanent, all is transient. This is a powerful and poignant life lesson when it comes to us, usually through some major loss or transition. Growing up, I always thought that what I had and who I had around me would always be there. As I grow into my late 60s, I find that I’ve had to relearn and reframe that thinking — loss and change are a daily occurrence that somehow I must adjust to. It is a way of life for all of us.

My Turn: Every day should be ‘No Kings Day’

By ROB OKUN

A would-be king wants a coronation on June 14, a date already laden with meaning: Flag Day, the 250th anniversary of the founding of the U.S. Army, and, yes, Donald Trump’s 79th birthday. But this year, Americans are refusing to let the day be coopted. Across all 50 states, from big cities to small towns, more than 1,000 events are planned to mark what organizers are calling the “No Kings Day of Defiance.”

Kristan Bakker: Freedom is not free

From the American Revolution to today, U.S. service members have sworn an oath to defend our Constitution against all enemies. This past Memorial Day, we honor those who gave their lives in that service — those who sacrificed all their tomorrows for our country and our freedoms. The military oath begins: “I do solemnly swear/affirm that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic ... So help me God.”

Susan Kramer: Innocent until proven guilty

I appreciated in the guest column “Everyone is entitled to due process” [Recorder, May 16] that Republican lawyer Isaac Mass was taking a stand against the injustices of the Trump administration. However, when stating “… deporting undocumented foreign born criminal gang members without a hearing is unconscionable” isn’t he assuming these people are gang members just because Trump says they are? They never had a chance to challenge the charges against them. Mr. Mass should have referred to them as “accused gang members.”

Janet Keyes: Newspaper changes noted

In the past two weeks I have noted several changes in the Recorder.

My Turn: I have something to share with the class

By JOANNA BUONICONTI

Feb. 22, 2025, at around 10:45 p.m. will be a moment that will be imprinted in my mind until the day I die. It was the moment that I had my first kiss.

The World Keeps Turning: The man who would be king

By ALLEN WOODS

Donald Trump recently said that in his second term, “I run the country and the world” without worrying about advisers, elected and appointed government officials, and courts working against him. Even within the context of comparing his two terms, it is an alarming view of presidential power, and identifies a man who in every nuance and overt action aspires to wear a crown, be worshipped, and dutifully bribed by all seeking his favor.

Guest columnist Matteo Pangallo: Drowned by the Quabbin

By MATTEON PANGALLO

At Shutesbury’s 290th annual Town Meeting on May 31, our small Massachusetts town approved a $7.7 million budget for FY26. Payments-in-lieu-of-taxes for state-owned land, including the one-third of our town taken by the state for the Quabbin watershed area, cover less than 5% of that budget. Residential property taxes will pay for 73%, which is a much higher portion than is covered by property taxpayers in most towns.

David Parrella: Tertius Taylor

In the old cemetery in Buckland, Massachusetts there is a grave marker that reads: “He entered the service of the revolution in the year 1775 and after the toils and privations of eight years was returned to his family with the thanks of a free and happy country.”

Laurie Evans: Restore access for the Gordon King Estate Blueberry Patch

The Blueberry Patch is a cherished part of the Gordon King Life Estate for the public, including the folks with mobility disabilities as well as parents with small children in strollers. This has always been a beloved site in Leverett for many families and individuals to gather, explore and enjoy the bounty of nature.

My Turn: Retaining good leaders means fixing the educational foundation

By FRANCIA E. WISNEWSKI

In our county, the superintendent of the largest school district has resigned. The superintendence of the second-largest municipality has also stepped down. This isn’t just a local issue; you can look across Massachusetts and see the same pattern. Public education top leaders are walking away from jobs that have become nearly impossible to sustain.

Dan Stuart Alden: Make democracy work

Tim Walz made a great speech on May 31. As he pointed out, the working class voters gave a primal scream. They elected a horrible person because they were at the end of their rope. All hell breaking loose was better than what they’ve had for decades. Many will change their minds when they find Donald Trump does not make America great again; that he just cares about personal wealth and autocratic power. But that will just put us back where we started.

Mayor Virginia “Ginny” Desorgher: The future of the Greenfield School District

Hello Greenfield: I would like to extend my deepest appreciation to Superintendent Karin Patenaude for her service to the city of Greenfield. Across her 16-year career in Greenfield as a teacher, administrator and superintendent, Karin demonstrated tremendous passion and care for educating the students of Greenfield. Her efforts supported a generation of students in their growth and development, helping our brightest future, our youth, reach their full potential. I am grateful for Karin’s service and join our community in wishing her well in her future endeavors.

My Turn: Remembering pandemic’s victims: a lesson from the Vietnam War

By JAMES LOMASTRO

As we mark the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War’s conclusion in 2025, we confront anew the enduring questions that follow in the conflict’s wake. How do societies move forward while honoring the truth of what occurred? The answer lies not in convenient forgetting but in the difficult practice of remembrance. There exists a fundamental distinction between forgiveness and amnesty and an even sharper distinction between amnesty and amnesia. While societies may grant legal pardons or establish reconciliation processes, these mechanisms cannot and should not erase the collective memory of suffering.

Pushback: Wendell votes Wednesday to finish battery storage licensing rights

By AL NORMAN

On Wednesday, Town Meeting voters in Wendell will finish an important piece of legal business that’s critical not only to the home rule powers of its 915 residents but for all cities and towns across Massachusetts.

Jeremy Williams: Conform and obey

I wanted to touch on one of the subjects Recorder columnist Jon Huer brought up in his last piece, “Our job anxiety: The chain that shackles us all” [May 31]. The part I wanted to bring up is how we obey orders and conform so easily. Even if we’re told to do something against our own personal beliefs. Huer brought up ICE agents doing their jobs like robots. So most of these ICE agents know that what they’re doing is not what their hearts would truly allow under normal circumstances. The main objective is to obey your orders. You will conform and obey, because that’s what they tell you to do.

Elizabeth McPherson: Calling all frustrated taxpayers

Each year I listen to the budget hearings. I find myself getting angry every time someone says the state requires us to do this or that. We are spending more and more money on things that we did not vote for. I guess I have hit my limit because this year I started looking at the bills on www.mass.gov . I found something, House bill 2297. This bill will stop new unfunded mandates. It won’t solve the whole problem but it is a place to start. Go to the website www.stopunfundedmandatesinma.com you will find a copy of the bill, the committee it is in, and the members contact info. Please take some time to call or email them to let them know you want this bill to pass or not depending on how you feel about it. It is your money, it is your choice.

My Turn: Corruption in the highest places

By RICHARD FEIN

Recent presidents waited until they became private citizens to make millions of dollars from their presidency. The general principle while serving in public office is to avoid even the appearance of impropriety. After leaving office it is a different story. In Washington it is called “Doing good then doing well.” For example the Clinton’s were technically in debt when they left the White House due to Bill’s legal expenses. Now their net worth is estimated at $120 million derived mostly from book sales and speeches. The Obamas’ post-presidency net worth is estimated at $70 million.

My Turn: Understanding autism means building a stronger community

By KAREN SERRA

The first time I heard the word autism, I was in high school. Someone told me it was caused by “cold moms” and vaccines — and that it could be prevented. I didn’t know much about autism back then, but I remember thinking, that doesn’t sound right.

Teresa Amabile: The day the House turned against America

Shortly after dawn on Thursday, May 22, the Republican-held House of Representatives approved, strictly along party lines and by a single vote, a budget bill that is cruel, anti-democratic, and dangerous for our economy. Every person in this country must be aware of how, exactly, this group of legislators turned against America.