The Rendezvous in Turners Falls looks to transition to co-op model

Speaking of Nature: Daredevils: The blue jays are all grown up

At the end of August, I wrote a column about the developmental progress of the blue jays that live in and around my yard. It was just as school was starting up for the year and the baby blue jays had entered a ridiculous stage in their maturation in which they had lost the feathers […]

West County Notebook: Nov. 4, 2026

Silent movie playing at Shelburne Falls Theater at Memorial Hall SHELBURNE FALLS — The Buster Keaton classic “Sherlock Jr.” is making its way to the Shelburne Falls Theater at Memorial Hall, accompanied by live music. On Saturday, Nov. 7, the theater will be home to the 1924 movie, with musician Jeff Rapsis playing a synthesizer […]

Ensuring 'rural communities have a voice': Northfield resident serving on state's first Family Advisory Council

Northfield resident Tierney Sodders was appointed to Gov. Maura Healey's 20-member Family Advisory Council for Early Education and Care to represent the needs of rural western Massachusetts families.

Pushback: Tech school vote aftermath a day late and $56M short

On Oct. 6, I voted “no” on the Franklin County Technical School (FCTS) — not because I disparage education — but because our city is carrying major debt. The Greenfield City Council met with the FCTS superintendent nine months ago. Members were told that Greenfield had 129 students at the Tech — 22% of total […]

Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts celebrates 35 years

Community members gathered at Quonquont Farm to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts and discuss its ongoing impact on education, the arts and local nonprofits.