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By LISA GOODRICH

The Smiarowski family name has been a fixture in Valley farming since around 1923 when Alexander Smiarowski came from Poland, and purchased farmland in Montague for a dairy, along with cucumbers, asparagus and corn.

By AMY NEWSHORE

Why is it so hard for many couples to connect emotionally, even when they love each other? So often, the answer lies in early messages — whether clearly stated or subtly implied — that teach each gender how to “do” emotion. Men are often told to “man up.” Women are told they’re “too emotional.” These lessons, absorbed in childhood, shape how we show up in adult relationships and quietly build walls between us. The emotional divide they create runs deep, and its impact on connection is profound.

By EVELINE MACDOUGALL

Faced with total vision loss in the near future, many people might understandably respond with despair, fear, anger, or all three. Yet Virginia “Jinx” Hastings, 80, faces such loss in inspiring ways. After undergoing more than a dozen procedures for glaucoma, Hastings learned that she’s exhausted surgical solutions; her response was to create art, which is currently on display through July at the Dickinson Memorial Library in Northfield.

By SHERYL HUNTER

It’s finally here, the big weekend that so many of us have been waiting for. The Green River Festival will take place at the Franklin County Fairgrounds from Friday, June 20, through Sunday, June 22, and the good news is that tickets are still available.

By BILL DANIELSON

The story of this spring has been the weather; specifically, the rain that just keeps falling. Add in the new arrival of the hazy smoke blowing south from Canadian wildfires and you’ve got a soggy, foggy, smoky, cloudy mess. The grass in my lawn is growing like crazy and the notion of a No Mow May wasn’t even really much of a choice so much as it was foisted upon us by the weather. When I finally get a dry moment to get out into the yard I am going to have to keep my eyes open for tigers and velociraptors in the tall grass.

By TINKY WEISBLAT

Thursday is June 19, also known as Juneteenth, Freedom Day, Emancipation Day, or Manumission Day.

By LISA GOODRICH

When farming is in the family, the land calls no matter where else life takes you. Aaron Moody, owner-operator of Moody Family Farm, was born in Greenfield, and from the beginning, he knew that he loved working with animals. Three generations of Moody’s family farmed, and young Moody occasionally worked at his uncle’s dairy farm while growing up.

By EVELINE MACDOUGALL

Jen Matos lives with an impressive menagerie and introduces her animals to people in inspiring ways. She also cares for sentient beings through her business, Touch Needed Massage Therapy and Wellness Center, “dedicated to helping you and your four-legged friends.”

By ANITA WILSON

If you are thinking about hiring someone to do any type of home improvement work, it pays to know your rights before handing over any fees.

By SHERYL HUNTER

When the Whiskey Treaty Roadshow performed at the Iron Horse Music Hall in Northampton in April, it was a good old-fashioned foot stompin’ rockin’ dance party complete with plenty of sing-alongs. Everyone had a great time, and it’s guaranteed to be more of the same when the band hosts their fourth annual Mountain Day festival at Berkshire East Ski Resort in Charlemont on Saturday, June 14, at 4 p.m.

By BILL DANIELSON

June is upon us and we are all set to celebrate Father’s Day this coming weekend. If we have any luck at all the weather will be cooperative, but the pattern has been pretty dismal so far; 12 consecutive rainy weekends according to my brother. It has been a rough spring for outdoor activities, but that is seen strictly through the human lens. Our wild neighbors have a schedule to keep and the game is on rain or shine.

By TINKY WEISBLAT

This week I’m doing for this column what I often do at the end of a long day, cooking something quick and easy and pleasing.

By GEORGE MILLER

TURNERS FALLS — The last two rounds of the Division 5 state softball tournament have pushed Turners Falls, and pushed hard at times, but the defending state champions always seem to come through with the needed counterpunch on their drive for another title.

By LUKE MACANNUCO

Rays of sunshine finally peeked through the clouds onto Energy Park on May 29 as members of the Franklin County Musician’s Cooperative, a non-profit collective of local musicians founded in 2004, worked together to set up the first Coop Concert of the summer.

By EVELINE MACDOUGALL

Fun, educational, and surprising things are happening this summer at – and through – the Greenfield Public Library. Although this column focuses on a fishy new pilot project, readers are encouraged to check out GPL offerings to learn about the astounding array of new and ongoing opportunities, including summer reading programs, the Common Seed Project, a community baby shower, free passes to regional museums, and Worldwide Knit in Public Day, coming up on June 14.

By GEORGE MILLER

TURNERS FALLS — Over each of the past three years, Franklin Tech and West Boylston have both made a habit of reaching the MIAA Division 5 softball quarterfinals. But the teams never had to face each other to reach that rung on the state tournament ladder until Wednesday.

By SHERYL HUNTER

In 2012, the Beehive Queen herself, Christine Ohlman, first performed at the 1794 Meetinghouse on South Main Street in New Salem. She kicked off that season, and since then, she has celebrated more summers at this historic venue than she can remember.

By BILL DANIELSON

Anyone who has spent any time birding will understand that there are certain birds that are more difficult to find than others. Anyone who has spent a lifetime birding will understand that there are certain species that are diabolically difficult to find. Anyone who has spent any time trying to photograph birds will understand that there are some species that are diabolically difficult to find, but even more difficult to spot in the viewfinder of a camera. Today I introduce you to just such a bird, the great crested flycatcher (Myiarchuscrinitus).

By LUKE MACANNUCO

WARWICK — Matthew Bobola, the new business administrator of the Warwick Community School and district, has a passion for applying his financial expertise to education.

By GEORGE MILLER

TURNERS FALLS — After only 4 1/2 innings of work Monday evening, the postgame party for Gary Mullins could at least get started at a decent hour.

By SAM FERLAND

GREENFIELD — Four Rivers Charter Public School celebrated the conclusion of the 33 graduates’ high school adventure on Saturday, a ceremony marked by two seniors who shared a heartfelt metaphor.