Arts & Life
Sounds Local: New year means new music: Popular local bands have big plans for 2025
By SHERYL HUNTER
January is the month of new beginnings, and with the new year comes the arrival of new music. In the upcoming weeks, some popular Franklin County-based musicians playing their first local shows of 2025 where they will give audiences the chance to listen to new music before it is officially released.
Speaking of Nature: Reflected in a blue jay’s eye: A curious opportunity to try something a little artsy
By BILL DANIELSON
Anyone who has ever dabbled in the art of photography will understand that you find yourself at the mercy of your environment. Of course, I am speaking of outdoor photography in this case. Studio photography is an entirely different organism because in that particular endeavor the art lies in manufacturing an environment. If you are outdoors, however, you have to find ways to make due with what you’ve got on any particular day.
A sweet treat for cookie monsters: These peanut butter oat bars made my mother happy in the last year of her life
By TINKY WEISBLAT
A couple of weeks ago, I wanted to bring something sweet to a meeting. The meeting took place on our National Day of Mourning for the late President Jimmy Carter so I decided to make something with peanuts or peanut butter. Carter was a peanut farmer before he went into politics.
Looky Here looks to the future: Greenfield’s ‘artist clubhouse’ finds small but mighty victories
By ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN
After Looky Here’s third annual fundraising campaign that concluded in December, the Greenfield non-profit and self-described artist clubhouse is looking to the future.
He’s seen Bigfoot: Paranormal researcher Ronny Le Blanc to speak at Erving Public Library on Sunday, Jan. 19
By ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN
Paranormal aficionado Ronny Le Blanc knows there’s something out there besides humans – knowledge he wants to share and explore during a talk at the Erving Public Library on Jan. 19.
Meet the Bohemians of Franklin County: Northampton author will speak about his new book on the history of Bohemians in Turners Falls
By TINKY WEISBLAT
James Bridgman of Northampton will speak about his recent book, “Forgotten Immigrants: The Bohemians of Turners Falls, Massachusetts,” on Saturday, Jan. 25, at 2 p.m. at the Great Falls Discovery Center on Avenue A in Turners Falls.
Faith Matters: Envisioning the only perfect government: True peace on earth will come from Jesus Christ
By PASTOR BRETT REITENBACH
History is filled with the rise and fall of governments. Some leaders stay in place for many years, but even those who stay in power a long time must eventually depart. In recent weeks, major leadership changes have happened in various parts of the world. Here in the United States, we are just two days away from Inauguration Day which will see our 47th president enter the office. Despite America’s political divisions and trying times throughout its history, the relative stability and consistency of elections and transfers of power for more than 230 years is remarkable.
‘When I see bees, I see beauty’: Local scientist explores the world of native bees
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.
Sounds Local: Who says January is a slow month for music? Lots of free local music happening this weekend and beyond
By SHERYL HUNTER
There’s no denying that January is a slow time for live music, especially shows by more prominent musicians who choose not to tour this time of year. But all is not lost. You need not look further than our local breweries to find and enjoy some excellent local music. As a bonus, these shows are often free and in an intimate setting.
Speaking of Nature: The bird that changes outfits in the winter: The adult male American goldfinch opts for a less showy plumage
By BILL DANIELSON
Anyone who makes a regular habit of watching birds will recognize that there is a predictable rhythm to the seasons. Winter is the harshest time of year and as a result there are fewer species to look for. At my house, in the month of January, I have managed to see a maximum of 31 different species. Different people living in different places will probably see a smaller number than that, but there may be the occasional yard that has more species to offer.
The bread book we’ve been waiting for: ‘The King Arthur Baking Company Big Book of Bread’ is the first from the centuries-old brand
By TINKY WEISBLAT
Bread is one of humanity’s earliest foods. It is certainly the oldest food that uses cultivated crops. It is meaningful to us humans in many ways. It symbolizes warmth, nourishment and home.
‘Not your mama’s ‘Newsies’’: Amherst Community Theater production updates the musical with women and nonbinary characters
By CAROLYN BROWN
Fans of the Disney musical “Newsies” generally know the titular group of characters as boys, but a local theater company’s upcoming production is expanding the show to include female and nonbinary characters.
The Smithsonian is coming to town: Town of Hawley partners with Mohawk Trail Regional School to host traveling exhibit on democracy
By MADISON SCHOFIELD
The Smithsonian is coming to the Mohawk Trail Regional School. The school has been selected to host the traveling “Voices and Votes: Democracy in America” exhibit in spring 2025.
A step in the right direction: Shutesbury woman teaches others to make simple shoes
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.
Let’s Talk Relationships: Your new year’s ‘evolution’: Taking stock of your relationship patterns
By AMY NEWSHORE
It’s that time again for thinking about the new year ahead and what aspirations we may have for ourselves. The beginning of a new year can awaken motivation to engage in habits, activities and goals that are good for us. For example, we might want to stop drinking or smoking, exercise more, be more patient with our spouse and children, eat healthier, treat ourselves with more kindness, or carve out more opportunities for fun and pleasure.
Faith Matters: God lives among us: And the message of Christmas belongs at all times and in all places
By THE REV. JASON A. BURNS
It always amazes me at how quickly the joy and excitement of the Christmas season subsides. I suspect it is because the joy of Christmas does not come from the virgin birth, from shepherds in their fields, from kings following a star, or from angels singing with the heavenly hosts. It isn’t about the beautiful decorations, the gorgeous music, the happiness of seeing and being with family, or watching our children open gifts from Santa. All of these wonderful things are byproducts of the fact that God lives among us.
Sounds Local: Hot soup and even hotter music: Acoustic quartet Moon Hollow performs at Warwick Town Hall this Saturday
By SHERYL HUNTER
What better way to spend a cold winter night than indulging in some hot soup and even hotter music. If this is your idea of a perfect evening, consider heading to the Warwick Town Hall on Saturday night, Jan. 11, when Wooden Fender and the Warwick...
Speaking of Nature: The blue jay that stood guard: Observations during a solid week of unfettered access to the birds
By BILL DANIELSON
The final week of 2024 was particularly calm and delightful for me. After the hustle and bustle of hosting a family gathering, my wife and I were able to nestle down into the “holiday bunker” and enjoy some much-needed R&R. For one solid week we were...
Mulligatawny for National Soup Month: A history of the Indian soup and its appearance in a memorable ‘Seinfeld’ episode
By TINKY WEISBLAT
January is National Soup Month. This designation makes perfect sense to me. When the weather turns cold, as it often does at this time of year, I can sip and serve soup at any hour of the day or night.Last week I prepared one of my favorite hearty...
Knowledge is power, period: Turners Falls menstrual cycle educator offers holistic approach to pelvic health
By ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN
To Julia Demillones Moore, knowledge about periods is power. Moore, who goes by “Julia Moon Beam” online, is a menstrual cycle educator and a pelvic steam practitioner from Turners Falls. Through her two businesses, Wise Gal Period Mentor and Moon...
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.
