Valley Bounty: Putting their own stamp on the soil at River Maple Farm

Move-in week: UMass welcomes strongest freshman class in a decade with 5,300 new students

AMHERST — Around 5,300 new students are being welcomed to the University of Massachusetts this week, with the freshmen described by UMass officials as one of the most academically strong classes in the past decade. Assisted move-in for students living on campus began Wednesday and continues through Friday, with students not needing help able to arrive Saturday, Sunday and Monday. […]

Around and About with Richard McCarthy: Six words that choked me up

A while back, I was at the dedication of an elementary school in the city where I was raised. The school was being named in honor of a deceased local political figure whom my father thought the world of. I was there as part of my work and as part of my father.  During the […]

On the Run with John Stifler: From the village green...

Dear lovely bowers of innocence and ease, Seats of my youth, when every sport could please, How often have I loitered o’er thy green, Where humble happiness endeared each scene! Readers of 18th century English poetry may recognize those lines from Oliver Goldsmith’s poem “The Deserted Village.” If words like “o’er” and “bowers” don’t suit your post-modern taste, forgive the poet — he was writing in 1770 — and let me tell you that the sport in Montague Center on Aug. 15 certainly pleased 125 people who ran in the 45th annual Montague Mug Race or the Mini-Mug Race, along with […]

Write on: Local literary organizations offer seasoned scribes and undercover word-lovers opportunities to keep busy

The Valley is a land of writerly possibility. Whether creators are new to the area or new to the page, or published and looking for professional peers, they will find that meet-ups, workshops and readings abound. As the fall goes into full swing, here are five organizations for creatives to consider. Pioneer Valley Writers’ Workshop […]

Wings, wands and a world record bid: New fairy festival coming to Easthampton

Get your wings and wands ready. There’s a new fairy festival coming to Easthampton. The inaugural Fairy & Arts Festival will take place at Nonotuck Park’s Daley Field in Easthampton on Saturday, Sept. 12, from noon to 6 p.m. The festival will have live entertainment; artisans; food vendors selling fairy-themed dishes; a “divination den” with […]