Montana Kaimin · Shutesbury, MA
Carol Bellin still remembers the nukes. She remembers the silos that housed them beneath the dry earth of Montana’s prairies. She remembers the dust clouds made by airmen and their vehicles as they rumbled down dirt roads to guard them with rifles in hand four decades ago. She remembers the soft chirping of birds on cool summer nights as she prayed over the silos, praying for the nuclear missiles stored within to never take flight. Now the silos are guarded by new airmen with new guns, but Bellin still prays. She prays in silence, as most Quakers do; that’s why she can hear the birds — the little birds chirping at the weapons of unfathomable destruction.Bellin first found herself among the birds and missiles in 1984, when she spent a summer near Conrad, a small town north of Great Falls, protesting Montana’s nuclear weapons. She camped outside of a launch facility, or silo, with a group of other protesters. Every morning and night she kept a wordless vigil over the weapon inside.
Daily Hampshire Gazette · Amherst, MA
Nearby: Amherst, MAAMHERST — More than $800,000 in Community Preservation Act money could support development of affordable housing and provide financial support for low- and moderate-income individuals and families who rent their homes. The CPA Committee is beginning to evaluate 15 proposals that total almost $3.1 million in spending. Outside of $1.72 million in applications for five active recreation projects, including what would be the town’s first pickleball courts, the largest application is the $550,000 sought by the Amherst Municipal Affordable Housing Trust. That proposal, brought forward by Greg Richane, the town’s housing coordinator, would be used for assorted projects. The most significant is $400,000 that would go toward so-called “development equity” for supportive housing at 457 Main St., the former VFW site that is now used as a staging area for the Jones Library project.
Daily Hampshire Gazette · Amherst, MA
Nearby: Amherst, MAAMHERST — Amherst’s first pickleball courts, which would be constructed at Groff Park, 83 Mill Lane, and a bathroom for the Plum Brook soccer fields, are among six active recreation projects seeking $1.72 million from the Community Preservation Act account. Amherst Recreation Director Rey Harp, supported by the Department of Public Works, recently submitted an $850,000 request to get the pickleball courts built at the South Amherst location and make associated Americans with Disabilities Act improvements. “This proposal is to request the additional funding needed to complete the installation of public pickleball courts and will fund the permitting, surface prep and drainage work, install a construction access and extend the ADA access trail to the courts, and then toconstruct the pickleball courts with all the necessary appurtenances such as fencing, nets, and any necessary sound attenuating features,” Harp wrote in the application.
Amherst Bulletin · Amherst, MA
Nearby: Amherst, MAAMHERST — On the main floor of the Simeon Strong House, long, thick pieces of rough-cut wood, many of which date back to the home’s 1750s construction, rest on short pillars made from both large and small stones. Exposed after removing the wide-plank flooring and subflooring during renovations to stabilize the Amherst History Museum’s longtime home at 67 Amity St., the uncovered floor joists near the main entrance also provide insights into the construction techniques used in constructing one of the town’s oldest buildings. For Michael Emmons, director of Historic Preservation & Architectural Research at Historic Deerfield, who recently toured the building with representatives from the Amherst Historical Society and Teagno Construction Inc., this area above the home’s crawl space appears to have held up well over nearly 300 years. “Structurally, these are good-sized joists, well supported on stone piers,” Emmons said.
Daily Hampshire Gazette · Amherst, MA
Nearby: Amherst, MAGorth joins Eric Carle Museum board of trustees PHILLIP GORTH AMHERST — The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art has appointed Phillip W. Gorth to its board of trustees. Gorth is an Amherst native and a graduate of Amherst College, where he studied law, jurisprudence and social thought. He subsequently built a career in finance and investment management in New York City and attended Columbia Business School, participating in the Value Investing Program. Since 2014, he has focused on managing personal investments and philanthropy. Gorth maintains deep ties to the Amherst community and a strong commitment to supporting the people and institutions that have shaped him. He established a scholarship at Amherst College that gives special consideration to students who demonstrate excellence in writing and service to the Amherst community.
Amherst Bulletin · Amherst, MA
Nearby: Amherst, MAAMHERST — During World War II, a recruiting slogan stated, “She’s a WOW.” For those playing for the East Amherst Eggheads team, knowing that WOW stood for “Woman Ordnance Worker” earned five points. It also crowned Tim Hope, Josh Polak and Kurt Sundeen as champions at the recent Amherst Trivia Bee. In what organizer John Page of the Amherst Education Foundation said was a record-setting year, 24 teams and more than 100 players faced off for recognition as mavens of arcane knowledge, with many local businesses, nonprofits and community organizations sponsoring teams. Held at The Drake in downtown Amherst, the 32nd contest raised $14,140 to support grant applications from teachers and staff at the Amherst, Amherst-Pelham Regional and Pelham, Shutesbury and Leverett schools, to bring students innovative projects and learning opportunities.
Amherst Bulletin · Amherst, MA
Nearby: Amherst, MAAMHERST — Suggestions related to transportation and parking in Amherst can be made through a new online request form, with any ideas submitted to get a reviewed and discussed by the Transportation and Parking Commission. The service requests, which can be made at amherstma.gov/TPR, include any permanent changes to roads and sidewalks, such as placement of crosswalks, speed limits and truck restrictions, and improvements, amenities or traffic-calming measures. Bicycle and pedestrian safety concerns can also be noted, along with requests to change parking or to close roads and sidewalks for the long term, though for more immediate issues, such as potholes or missing street signs, residents should continue to use SeeClickFix. After review, any recommendations for change will be sent to the Town Council and Town Manager Paul Bockelman for approval and implementation.
Daily Hampshire Gazette · Belchertown, MA
Nearby: Belchertown, MABELCHERTOWN — Belchertown quarterback Coleman Longley was a force on offense almost every week this season. Whether he was throwing passes down the field with his arm or using his legs to break through the line on a run, he was essential to moving the ball for the Orioles. But in the final moments of the Western Mass. Class C championship on Friday against Ware, the senior made his biggest play of the night on defense. Down by four, the Indians had the ball in Belchertown territory with less than a minute to go. Quarterback Troy Jurczyk dropped back to pass and threw the ball intended for a receiver crossing the field. Longley read the play as it developed and saw where the ball was going. He used his speed to jump the pass and intercept the ball and bring home Belchertown it’s first championship title since its Super Bowl win in 2003. “It lucked out really,” Longley said. “I don’t play defense all that much so today was a day to prove that I could. We were beyond ready to win.
Amherst Bulletin · Belchertown, MA
Nearby: Belchertown, MABELCHERTOWN — The Massachusetts Water Resources Authority on Thursday dropped its proposal to withdraw an additional 20 million gallons a day from the Quabbin Reservoir in response to loud opposition from communities surrounding the watershed. Opposition boiled over in September, when more than 130 people packed Belchertown Town Hall to speak against the request. Commenters said MWRA had not justified the size of the withdrawal or disclose the destination. The outcry continued throughout the monthlong public comment period, culminating in more than 1,000 submissions from residents, municipal officials and legislators. These concerns ultimately led the agency to rescind its request, MWRA Interim Executive Director Stephen Estes-Smargiassi wrote in a Thursday letter to the Water Resources Commission.
Daily Hampshire Gazette · Hadley, MA
Nearby: Hadley, MAHadley, MA – Lance James ByronFebruary 18, 1940 – November 3, 2026Lance James Byron, 86, passed away peacefully on November 3, 2026, on Cape Cod, surrounded by his family. Born in Concord, New Hampshire, Lance was the son of the late John and Barbara (Forbes) Byron and the eldest of seven children. He grew up in Hadley, Massachusetts, where he would spend much of his life, and graduated from Hopkins Academy. He continued his education at Arnold College of the University of Bridgeport, earned a master’s degree from Springfield College, and completed an advanced graduate degree at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.Lance began his teaching career in Irvington, New Jersey, where he met Alice Marshall, who would become his wife and lifelong companion. At the time, he was teaching alongside Alice’s parents, Walter and Francis Marshall.
Amherst Bulletin · Hadley, MA
Nearby: Hadley, MAGarden report — indoors: a cactus has buds. It should be in bloom by Thanksgiving. It used to bloom earlier but has become a Thanksgiving cactus. Nice to have some color this time of year. Good news — two green tomatoes turned red and I ate them. There are two more that need to turn red. Real tomatoes in November, what a treat! *** Bethany Dickerson of North Hatfield sent me an email about the preview of the spring semester for Five College Learning in Retirement classes that will be held Nov. 20 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Wesley United Methodist Church on North Maple Street in Hadley. Moderators will be present to discuss their offerings. The event is free and open to the public. *** Nancy Ratner of Amherst sent me an email about the Friends Who Paint Art Sale to benefit the Amherst Survival Center. The sale will be held Nov. 21 from 12-2:30 p.m. at the Hadley Library. About 30 artists will participate, she wrote.
Athol Daily News · Athol, MA
Nearby: Athol, MABelchertown, MA – David Loyola Wickham, affectionately known as Gramps, Smurf, or simply Dave, lived a life marked by unwavering dedication and love. Born on January 3, 1942, in Athol, Massachusetts, he was a graduate of Athol High School, class of 1959 and received his Bachelor’s Degree from The University of Massachusetts.David spent his formative years in the vibrant communities of Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Colorado. With a sharp mind and a generous heart, he pursued a successful career as a CPA, where he served his clients with integrity, also forming lasting friendships. His love for his alma mater, UMass, remained steadfast throughout his life, a true testament to his passion for learning and growth.A proud and loving grandfather, David’s world revolved around his cherished granddaughters, Alicia, Ayla, and Kensy. He found joy in their laughter and stories, creating memories that will last a lifetime.
Athol Daily News · Athol, MA
Nearby: Athol, MAATHOL – Nearly 80 veterans and family members, Athol residents, and town officials attended Wednesday’s Veterans Day ceremonies in Memorial Hall at Athol Town Hall. Master of ceremonies Scott Hume, president of the Athol Veterans Council, welcomed the audience and read the poem “Remember the Veterans,” written by the late Athol native and World War II pilot Gordon Briggs. In an address titled “A Force to be Reckoned With,” guest speaker U.S. Army Sergeant (Ret.) Sheila Pelletier gave attendees a lesson on the contributions of women to the American military. “From the battlefields of the American Revolution to the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan, women have been serving in the military in one form or another for more than 200 years,” Pelletier said.
Athol Daily News · Athol, MA
Nearby: Athol, MAEdwin J. “Ed” Sterling ATHOL, MA – Edwin J. “Ed” Sterling, 91, of Farnsworth Avenue, passed at home with his family at his side on Sunday afternoon, October 25, 2026.Born in Keene, NH on November 3, 1934, he was the son of Harland Edwin Sterling and Grace Pearl (Castor) Sterling.Edwin was married to Ruth Ann (Hamlett) Sterling, celebrating over 50 years, 20 years in New Hampshire and 30 years in Athol, MA. Ed his survived by his wife, Ruth Ann Sterling, and several nieces and nephews.Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his siblings, Beverly, Charles, Ann, William (Bill),Ed worked in his father’s plumbing and heating business, Sterling Plumbing & Heating, and later other local plumbing companies, then Kingsbury Machine (Keene, NH) where he retired after 15 years. Ed and Ruth Ann moved to Athol after both of them retired. Ed enjoyed going on daily trips and going out for lunch.Ed loved marching in parades and playing concerts.