Arts & Life
Speaking of Nature: The bird that changes outfits in the winter: The adult male American goldfinch opts for a less showy plumage
By BILL DANIELSON
Anyone who makes a regular habit of watching birds will recognize that there is a predictable rhythm to the seasons. Winter is the harshest time of year and as a result there are fewer species to look for. At my house, in the month of January, I have managed to see a maximum of 31 different species. Different people living in different places will probably see a smaller number than that, but there may be the occasional yard that has more species to offer.
Making space for trans voices: Monthly women and nonbinary singer-songwriter series expands mission to include trans community
By CAROLYN BROWN
A singer-songwriter showcase series in Florence is expanding to include the trans community.
Valley Bounty: This CSA farm sets the standard: Mountain View Farm in Easthampton heads into 20th season with over 2,000 members
By JACOB NELSON
“Yes, you get some veggies to take home,” says Liz Adler of Mountain View Farm in Easthampton about becoming a member of their community supported agriculture (CSA) program. “But if you want it, the whole experience is a lot more than that.”
Let’s Talk Relationships: Your new year’s ‘evolution’: Taking stock of your relationship patterns
By AMY NEWSHORE
It’s that time again for thinking about the new year ahead and what aspirations we may have for ourselves. The beginning of a new year can awaken motivation to engage in habits, activities and goals that are good for us. For example, we might want to stop drinking or smoking, exercise more, be more patient with our spouse and children, eat healthier, treat ourselves with more kindness, or carve out more opportunities for fun and pleasure.
Weekly Food Photo Contest: This week’s winner: Diane Keating of Northampton
Longtime Northampton resident Diane Keating makes these English muffins for friends and family each holiday season. “I have special molds to create the shape and have adjusted and tweaked the recipe throughout the years,” she says.
‘Not your mama’s ‘Newsies’’: Amherst Community Theater production updates the musical with women and nonbinary characters
By CAROLYN BROWN
Fans of the Disney musical “Newsies” generally know the titular group of characters as boys, but a local theater company’s upcoming production is expanding the show to include female and nonbinary characters.
Arts Briefs: ‘Rent’ actors in Amherst, Grunge Brunch at Iron Horse, and more
A ‘Rent’ reunionRentheads, rejoice! Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp (who played Roger and Mark, respectively, in the movie adaptation of the Broadway musical) will perform together at the University of Massachusetts Amherst’s Bowker Auditorium on Friday,...
Only Human with Joan Axelrod-Contrada: It all comes out in the wash: The washer-dryer combo is the perfect metaphor for life
By JOAN AXELROD-CONTRADA
Life is like a washing machine – complete with cycles and plenty of agitating to get at the messy stuff. If I were a songwriter (spoiler alert: I’m not), I’d pen a catchy tune about that simile, weaving together verses and a killer refrain set to the...
Speaking of Nature: The blue jay that stood guard: Observations during a solid week of unfettered access to the birds
By BILL DANIELSON
The final week of 2024 was particularly calm and delightful for me. After the hustle and bustle of hosting a family gathering, my wife and I were able to nestle down into the “holiday bunker” and enjoy some much-needed R&R. For one solid week we were...
The future is bright and weightless: An eye-opening exploration of everything and nothing at a spa in Easthampton
By BOB FLAHERTY
My journey. Where it begins and ends I have no idea. I do know that I could use some healing along the way, I’m just not sure what it is I have. Although, yes, I am acutely aware of my mousetrap nervous system and my constantly yap-yap-yapping...
Classical at the club: Series at The Drake makes new room for chamber music
By CAROLYN BROWN
Most people don’t see local bars as venues for classical music, but a concert series at The Drake in Amherst is helping redefine and expand where classical music belongs.Chamber@The Drake, the venue’s classical music series, brings performers to play...
There is a Season with Molly Parr: Protein-packed beet and cottage cheese latkes
By MOLLY PARR
After frying and freezing dozens of latkes in preparation for Chanukah this year, I am now convinced anything can be latke’ed. Of course there were the typical potato with-a-little-grated-onion latkes, and then typical-for-me were the broccoli and...
They get along swimmingly: 2025 calendar celebrates Franklin County YMCA water fitness class
By EVELINE MACDOUGALL
A rollicking group who bonded through a class at Franklin County’s YMCA in Greenfield have produced a calendar for 2025 that celebrates beautiful humans in their 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s. Let’s meet some water nymphs who could grace your wall if you get...
Weekly Food Photo Contest: This week’s winner: Danny Czitrom of South Hadley
These latkes were so picture perfect, they were submitted twice! Once by Danny Czitrom of South Hadley, who cooked them, and once by Leslie Laurie of Pelham, who got to enjoy them at Gail Hornstein’s “end of Chanukah party” in Northampton.How to...
Women artists grow wings: “Remember to Remember” at A.P.E. celebrates local women’s ancestry, memory and legacy
By MELISSA KAREN SANCES
Five years ago, Muriel “Monik” Johnson watched her friend transform. Leah was a vibrant artist who loved going dancing. Though only 4-foot-9, she delighted in kissing Johnson’s face, starting at her chin, working clockwise to her forehead while she...
Arts Briefs: ‘Valley Folklore’ in Northampton, Poe-themed cocktails in Amherst, and more
‘Earth MusicTheater Live’The show “Earth Music Theater Live” will debut at 33 Hawley on Friday, Jan. 17, and Saturday, Jan. 18, at 6 p.m.During “Earth Music Theater Live,” the audience will watch high-res footage of the earth and nature captured by...
Around and About with Richard McCarthy: Twilight in a side yard: Imagining a shared moment between two people
By RICHARD MCCARTHY
I was biking in the countryside of Montague one summer day (remember those?), and I pedaled past a house with a substantial side yard furnished only with a small table and two simple chairs. Later, when I was home, I watched the sunset from my back...
Speaking of Nature: Last year in bird watching: A review of 2024, a record-breaking year for bird sightings and photos
By BILL DANIELSON
Happy New Year everybody! I was delighted to have a snowy celebration for this iconic winter holiday and I hope that you are sitting happily with your feet up and a warm beverage in your hand. I am just finishing an hour of bird watching at my kitchen...
Can’t take that away from me: With Jan. 20 on the horizon, the Queer Joy Collaborative sings, dances and fights for its life
By MELISSA KAREN SANCES
Glitter. Sparkle. Bedazzle. Shine.When Mara Levi and Nova Wehman-Brown started dreaming of a Winter Ball, these four words came to mind. The executive director and the board president of the Queer Joy Collaborative wanted their inaugural event to be...
No need to put your clubs in storage: Golf simulators, gaining in popularity, allow for year-round tee time and swing analysis
By GARRETT COTE
Come fall, which is perhaps the best time to get out and play a round of golf thanks to the combination of lovely weather and gorgeous foliage, every golfer in New England knows the inevitable winter weather is on the horizon. Yet despite being aware...
Your Daily Puzzles
An approachable redesign to a classic. Explore our "hints."
A quick daily flip. Finally, someone cracked the code on digital jigsaw puzzles.
Chess but with chaos: Every day is a unique, wacky board.
Word search but as a strategy game. Clearing the board feels really good.
Align the letters in just the right way to spell a word. And then more words.
