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By LISA SPEAR

Doug Adler opens his mouth as wide as he can and out booms his voice, “Ahhhhhhhhhh,” smooth and low like an a cappella baritone.He is a slender man, 68, with perfect pitch, but he isn’t in a recital hall, he is a Parkinson’s patient strengthening his...

By  LISA SPEAR

After a difficult pregnancy three years ago, Thalia Ghazey-Bates of Northampton gave birth to her twins two months early. When the babies were finally able to come home, she and her husband had to be on high alert: Sometimes they would stop breathing....

By SCOTT MERZBACH

Jim Brassord has competed in a number of marathons and Ironman competitions, but it’s been the near daily rowing of his boat northward along the eastern seaboard that he describes as the most grueling activity he’s ever undertaken.More than a month...

By STEVE PFARRER

Her basic storyline is well known: successful poet and novelist before she turned 30, one half of a literary couple who had a famously stormy relationship, and — sadly — a suicide in 1963, just as her work was beginning to achieve wider notice.But...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — While a downtown church is not promising physical sanctuary for immigrants who may be questioned by authorities and are at risk of being deported, its members are doing everything they can to ensure their neighbors are welcomed and protected...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — For one group of sixth graders at Fort River School, many plastic bottles are being thrown into the trash because there is no incentive to recycle items that can't be redeemed for a cash deposit.On Friday morning, a visit from State Rep....

By SCOTT MERZBACH

With a driver’s permit in hand and a desire to work, Amherst teenager Cady Bestor is confident that for part of the summer she’ll have a job, getting both experience in the workplace and money for spending or saving.But with the school year ending in...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Grace Episcopal Church is concluding its year-long sesquicentennial events with a “salute to founders” procession, a world music performance and a visit by Bishop Doug Fisher on Sunday.The marking of the 150th anniversary of the founding of...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — An Amherst Police response to the Town Common for a fight, allegedly involving one person wielding a large knife, led to two arrests Tuesday evening, according to police.Detective Lt. William Menard said officers went to the Town Common at...

 By SCOTT MERZBACH

Owners of two local businesses have created unique chairs that are part of an auction that will raise money for Boston-based charities.Karen Dzendolet, principal and owner of KDZ Designs in Pelham, and John Geraghty, founder of Grain of Thought...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Weeds are a major cause of crop failure at organic farms, making the equipment used in controlling their growth important to the successful production of fruits and vegetables.“After harvesting, it’s our biggest labor,” says Jeremy...

By STEVE PFARRER

Jim Lumley learned to appreciate nature’s beauty at an early age.His parents, the late Mabel and Al Lumley, planted extensive lilac bushes on the family’s Pelham property, which for decades has been a popular visiting site for lilac lovers, picnickers...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Town Manager Paul Bockelman and Police Chief Scott Livingstone are pledging to be more sensitive to the community during investigations into youth bullying after concerns were raised by parents who were not present when a police officer...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

At the Horace Kellogg Homestead Bed and Breakfast on South Pleasant Street in Amherst, visitors since its 2004 opening have had the opportunity to stay in two of the historic home’s bedrooms and enjoy a full morning meal prepared by innkeeper Susan...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — As part of a farewell tour leading up to his retirement from the Boston Red Sox last fall, David Ortiz received an honor from Boston city leaders of having the Brookline Avenue bridge, near Fenway Park, renamed the Big Papi Bridge.Noting her...

By STEVE PFARRER

It’s a modest range, made up of hills rather than mountains, even if the peaks are labeled as such. Perhaps its most interesting feature is that it runs east to west, rather than north to south as most mountain ranges are configured.But the Holyoke...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Getting approval from Town Meeting to pursue a state grant for expanding and renovating the Jones Library is a step that will allow library officials to remain engaged with residents while pursuing the project.“It was terrific that Town...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Residents and visitors craving locally made ice cream as warm weather arrives will still have a place to get the summertime treat in downtown Amherst.Though Amherst Homemade Ice Cream and Cookies at 103 North Pleasant St. hasn’t yet reopened...

By LISA SPEAR

For me, there is nothing better than a hot serving of fries, doused in beef gravy.The fries, of course, must still retain their crispy integrity while simultaneously soaking up the savory gravy.Then, there must be globs of mozzarella cheese curd...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — A sizable shortfall in the projected revenues for Cherry Hill Golf Course is prompting Town Manager Paul Bockelman to pledge to make its operations a major focus of a strategic plan centered on town recreation.Financial figures presented to...