'Can't Afford Not To': Grammy award-winning Jon Carroll celebrates release of first album in 18 years

Guest columnist Carla Doyle-Florence: Jeromie Whalen — 'Putting a face to the vote'

This is the second time I’ve written to a news publication. The first submission was nearly 20 years when I invited our former state representative to my home after my son Gavin registered to vote, to help him put a face to the candidate he might vote for. Registering to vote was an important milestone […]

Guest columnist Henry W. Rosenberg: We need an arch

Between 1877 and 1911 Frank Newhall Look was the chief executive of Florence Manufacturing Company, later known as Pro Brush. In memory of Frank Look, his widow, Fannie Burr Look, donated over 150 acres of farmland for the establishment of a park which is open to the public but is not a city park. The park receives no tax money but is on sound financial footing with its endowment and with fees for entrance and for rental of picnic areas and use of a catering hall. The many amenities now at Look Park include tennis courts, miniature golf, picnic areas, a […]

Western Mass magic: Ashfield author drops fourth fantasy novel

Ashfield author Jorma Kansanen is partial to magic. For the past decade, he’s developed a young adult fantasy series based in western Massachusetts that centers on fraternal twins with supernatural powers. While the siblings navigate the perils of adolescence, they must answer to a higher calling. On Tuesday, Aug. 25, fans can pre-order the fourth […]

Amherst delays middle school opening due to roof and air quality issues

AMHERST — Amherst’s new Chestnut Street Academy and the Amherst Regional Middle School will have a delayed opening for the semester due to ongoing work on the roof of the building and concerns about air quality inside it. Superintendent E. Xiomara Herman announced in a message sent to families Wednesday that the first day of […]

Weekly Food Photo Contest: This week’s winner: Jodi Hnyda of Leeds

Jodi Hnyda of Leeds shared this photo. “I’m beating this summer heat with my homemade Smoked Blueberry ice cream! I used my smoker to get the flavor just right. I used eggs and hand-picked blueberries from Rocky Bottom Farm in Holyoke.” How to enter: Snap a pic of something delicious-looking and send it with your name, town […]