Cue the music: Dancer-turned-novelist Molly Terrill finds her story in her luthier father's workshop

Making room for play: South Hadley mom creates meetup group to connect local families

SOUTH HADLEY — Playgroup options close to home are limited for working mother Steph Clymer. The closure of the South Hadley Family Center a couple of years ago left only a handful of options for Clymer and her 2-year-old son Dax. Morning playgroups conflict with the Clymers’ work schedule, and most afternoon groups are at […]

Leverett resident aims to bring the Pledge of Allegiance to Town Meetings

LEVERETT — A longtime resident intends to mount an effort to get the Pledge of Allegiance read before all Town Meetings, an idea that received a cool reception from the Select Board this week. Donald Robinson, of Jackson Hill Road, told the board Tuesday that he will circulate a petition to get signatures from 10 […]

Unveiling a treasury of classical art: Clark Art Institute displays 150 antique works from Aso Tavitian collection

Through Feb. 21, Williamstown’s Clark Art Institute is displaying 150 pristine works of antiquity, many never before shown publicly, bequeathed to the museum by the philanthropist and collector Aso Tavitian (1940–2020). There were audible gasps from several reporters when they first entered the galleries, given the dramatic atmosphere of perfectly preserved oils from centuries past. […]

For whom the bale tolls: Jae Silverman’s grassroots mission crops up in Conway

The windrow — a long row of cut hay — is an iconic symbol of New England farming. Windrow Farm, based in Conway, celebrates agricultural traditions by focusing on the careful timing of hay cutting for different batches with both high and low sugar content. Take note, dear readers: “based in Conway” indicates that Windrow […]

Around Amherst: Banned Books Week front and center

AMHERST — Amherst officials and Jones Library staff are marking Banned Books Week with both a proclamation and a brief video, encouraging people to read children’s, teen and adult books that have been challenged in libraries, schools and bookstores. On Monday evening on the steps of Town Hall, members of the Town Council and trustees […]