Get Growing with Mickey Rathbun: Defeating August doldrums: The essential varieties of geranium to brighten your summer garden

Fostering learning and connection: The Pocumtuck Homelands Festival returns to Turners Falls for its 13th year

The Pocumtuck Homelands Festival returns to Turners Falls for its 13th year on Saturday, Aug. 1, and Sunday, Aug. 2, bringing an expanded lineup of Indigenous crafts, music and history to the banks of the Connecticut River. Hosted by the Nolumbeka Project — a nonprofit dedicated to preserving the history of Native Americans/American Indians in […]

Travel with Max: Discovering Zaragoza and Aragón, Spain

I arrived in Zaragoza, Spain, on a warm June morning. Aragón, Spain’s vast northeastern province bordered by the Pyrenees and France, would be our home for the next several days. Zaragoza — Spain’s fourth‑largest city— felt immediately welcoming. The city didn’t have as many tourists as Barcelona and other Spanish hot spots, and the usual […]

From Western Mass to the Wild West: Leverett native's new book sets autistic protagonist in 1840s Sierra Nevada

Drawn to the “outlaw sensibility” of the Wild West since childhood, author Josh Weil has channeled his lifelong fascination into the creation of his fourth published book. The Leverett-grown writer will read from his latest novel, “What Came West,” at Odyssey Bookshop in South Hadley on Thursday, July 30 at 7 p.m. Set in the […]

Let them play: Why restricting unstructured exploration blocks critical thinking, stress management

Artist and long-time educator Don Fels would begin lessons with his class of 4-year-olds by placing a range of interesting materials on the table in front of them and then stepping back. He trusted that if he opened space for the children to play they would enter it, and he did not want to interfere […]

Faith Matters: Distracted … or present?

A couple weeks ago, Rev. Cindy and I headed out for a walk that, like so many of our conversations, wandered as naturally as the trail itself. We solved none of the world’s problems, but we noticed a few things that reminded us how easily we complicate our lives. Standing quietly in the marsh was a magnificent great blue heron. Those that know me well know that I have a special affection for herons. Over the years, they’ve become something of a personal reminder that I’m exactly where I need to be, God’s gentle nudge that says I’m in the right […]