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By HANNAH BEVIS

The floor of Interskate 91 South is often filled with young skaters teetering around the track, but the athletes on it now are sure on their skates, focused and ready to battle. Two jammers sit poised, their bodies coiled in anticipation; in front of them, two bunches of blockers gaze at them intently, trying to determine the best strategy for locking them down. For a second, there’s quiet. Then a sharp whistle slices through it and the two skaters explode forward, trying to duck and weave between a mass of bodies to escape the pack and rack up points for their team. Their teammates and fans yell and cheer from the sidelines, their voices echoing around the rink, but skater Lilith of the Valley (government name: Lisa Andras) doesn’t hear any of it.

By EVELINE MACDOUGALL

(This is part one of a two-part series about the literary work and life of Ashfield resident Hilary Sloin, who died in 2019.)

By MICKEY RATHBUN

In the Orchard Arboretum, a little-known public garden in South Amherst, a living work of art is making its debut this spring. “I call it a daffodil ribbon,” explained Richard Waldman, a retired landscape architect from New York City who conceived of the project two years ago and has finally brought it to fruition.

By GUSTAVO ATENCIO FLORES

According to Megan Bent, gallery manager of Worcester’s Open Door Gallery, “expanding upon the communal understanding of what disability is” is the main goal of newest exhibition, “Shared.”

By SHERYL HUNTER

Kris Delmhorst never intended to create an album focused on themes like loss, death and grief, but it turns out these subjects heavily influence many of the songs on her new release, “Ghosts in the Garden.” The Shelburne Falls resident launched her 10th album on March 7 and will hold a record release show at the Iron Horse in Northampton on Friday, May 9, at 7 p.m. She is currently on tour to support the album.

By TINKY WEISBLAT

Spring is bringing trees and yards and farms to life all around us. In this season of rebirth, Shantigar and Raven Used Books are bringing a visionary thinker about land and community (and a delightful human being) to our area.

By DIANE BRONCACCIO

ASHFIELD — The 126 voters who attended the five-hour Annual Town Meeting on Saturday approved all 30 warrant articles and applauded several longtime volunteers who have given decades of service to the town.

By AALIANNA MARIETTA

LEVERETT — Roughly 100 residents voted to approve Leverett’s share of the Amherst-Pelham Regional School District budget, accept a 146.3-acre property gift and appropriate funds for a series of community preservation projects during Saturday’s Annual Town Meeting.

By AALIANNA MARIETTA

As Northfield’s Trinitarian Congregational Church celebrates its 200th anniversary this year, longtime and returning members were given the chance to reflect on the institution’s beginnings and how it has changed with time.

By BILL DANIELSON

Last week I started telling the story of a particular expedition into the woods and I ended up writing a column on the basics of fern biology. I covered the evolution of ferns, their place in the general evolution of terrestrial plants, and the curious nature of their reproductive cycle. To put it plainly, things got away from me and I didn’t notice until it was too late. The beauty of time, however, is the fact that there is always next week. So, without further adieu, I transport you back to a morning in early April…

By TINKY WEISBLAT

A few weeks ago I hosted the Sons and Daughters of Hawley’s Mud Party. This annual event celebrates spring as we experience it in New England.

By EVELINE MACDOUGALL

When Shelburne resident Elisha Poulin gave a public presentation recently about biodynamic farming and gardening, there were occasional quizzical expressions on the faces of some attendees. Yet I was primed to listen with an open mind, thanks to a comment made last fall by Greenfield resident Ryan Nestor, who I interviewed for a story about growing sweet potatoes.

By SHERYL HUNTER

In 1988, at the age of 23, Eveline MacDougall founded the Fiery Hope Chorus (formerly Amandla Chorus), and she continues to serve as a director of the 35-member group.

By BILL DANIELSON

It was a morning in early April and Nature was playing tricks on us. The weather had been cold and raw for days, but then suddenly there was a break from the trend and the temperature soared into the high 60s. There was no threat of rain, but there was a blanket of high clouds shielding us from direct sunlight. It was bright without any shadows – perfect conditions for photography.

By TINKY WEISBLAT

The headlines last week were dire. Egg prices had reached an all-time high, just in time for Easter.

By AALIANNA MARIETTA

ASHFIELD — Visitors to Belding Memorial Library last weekend gained insight on the colorful process that is pysanky, the Ukrainian tradition of decorating Easter eggs.

By ALEXIS FEDORJACZENKO

There are still people who remember when you could square dance five or six nights a week if you wanted to — “and many did,” says Doug Wilkins, who’s been calling square dances for 40-plus years in the eastern style, which is a “barn dance” where all are welcome, including beginners.

By EVELINE MACDOUGALL

Anyone seeking a great way to dive into gardening season – or simply celebrate spring in a beautiful place – is invited to visit the Seeds of Solidarity Farm and Education Center in Orange on Saturday morning, April 26. At 10:30 am, they’ll host a free, one-hour program called Grow Great Gardens, after which attendees are welcome to take self-guided tours. The event coincides with their farm stand’s opening day.

By JACOB NELSON

In many ways, farming can seem like a romantic way of life. “Being outside, providing for yourself, providing for your community – and the health changes I saw in myself, eating fresh food from the land – it all resonated so deeply,” says Cara Zueger, who runs Free Living Farm in Petersham with her husband Michael.

By SHERYL HUNTER

When it comes to tribute bands, music fans have rather mixed feelings. But love ‘em or hate ‘em, they play a prominent role on the music scene and a number of these bands have shows coming up in the area in the near future.

By BILL DANIELSON

It was the end of an exciting day of nature photography and as I pulled into my driveway I figured that I was done for the day. I had been out in forests and fields and had managed to take just about 1,000 photographs of flowers, birds and even some turtles. I went into the house, set my camera on the writing desk by my kitchen window and started the process of shifting into “evening mode,” which is what everyone aspires to after a long day. On my way through the house, heading toward a change of clothes and something for dinner, I glanced out the back window and stopped in my tracks. What in Darwin’s name was that?