My Turn: How I celebrate America's 250th

My Turn: 'We are water': Green River Cleanup marks 23 years

Despite concerns about severe weather, hundreds of volunteers came out for the 23rd Annual Franklin/Green River Cleanup on September 26th! The cleanup began the week before, with Eaglebrook School cleaning up Cherry Rum Creek in Greenfield. On Friday, the Four Rivers School and the Center School cleaned up four sites along the Green River and […]

Speaking of Nature: A pale white dot: A longing look down at the Thinking Chair

1977 was a momentous year for me. I was 9 years old and I had just experienced the thrill of our nation’s bicentennial celebration. Everything seemed to be fun and interesting because everything was new. Then, in May of 1977, my mind was completely blown away when Star Wars hit the movie screens. The story […]

My Turn: Unions make UMass better

After 14 years employed by UMass Amherst, I can tell you one thing for certain: UMass is a good place to work, thanks to the unions. Here is a partial list of benefits that professional staff get at UMass Amherst, thanks only to the Professional Staff Union (PSU): These benefits were won at the bargaining […]

UMass football strives to respond against Miami (OH)

The UMass football team has reached an inflection point. Saturday’s 38-14 loss against Eastern Michigan was the first loss of the season and first time through five games in 2026 where an opponent outmatched the Minutemen at seemingly every facet of the game. UMass won its previous four games quite comfortably, yet the Eagles flew […]

Frances M. Lapinski

<html><head></head><body>Frances M. Lapinski<br /><br />Montague, MA - Frances M. (Dodge) Lapinski, 96, of Meadow Road, died Wednesday September 30th, 2026, at RegalCare of Greenfield. She was born in Montague on September 14, 1930, the daughter of My ...