Shutesbury special TM Saturday: Voters to weigh short-term rental fees, sale of donated home

Three women, three generations, one gutsy thing in mind

When we speak of “lifetime” sports, those that you can still do with creaking body parts, doesn’t kayaking spring to mind, or snowshoeing, cornhole, playing catch with the dog or bocce? Jumping out of an open airplane at 14,000 feet, with facial muscles flapping like flags on a speeding pickup, would not seem a natural […]

Easthampton approves 41 housing units across three projects

EASTHAMPTON — Three different projects were recently given the green light for construction by the Planning Board, adding another 41 housing units to a growing list of planned developments in the city. The projects, which are unrelated, were each granted a special permit at the Planning Board’s Sept. 15 meeting. The largest of the three […]

Easthampton Arts & Ale Trail invites participants to create art for a cause

EASTHAMPTON — If you think you’re “not an artist,” a local arts organization hopes you’ll rethink that while raising money for a good cause. The first Easthampton Arts & Ale Trail will debut Saturday afternoon. The fundraiser, described as a “choose-your-own-adventure afternoon through Easthampton’s Mill District,” features interactive art, live music and local food and […]

Area Briefs: Holyoke Civic Symphony opens 60th season on Sunday

Holyoke Civic Symphony opens 60th season HOLYOKE — The Holyoke Civic Symphony will open its 60th season Sunday at 3 p.m. with a free concert pairing a world premiere and a contemporary trombone concerto with Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5. The program, “Old Wine in New Bottles,” launches the orchestra’s 2026-27 season, “Significant Figures.” The concert […]

Guest columnist Stephen Frantz: Stricter regs needed for harmful herbicides

The South Hadley Board of Health has banned the use of glyphosate herbicide by anyone on all town-owned/-operated property. This occurred in March 2020 and was amended in April 2023 to include a related herbicide, glufosinate. The ban is in place as a legal town regulation, but not all departments are aware, nor are all […]