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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 CHRIS LARABEE

NORTHFIELD — As the new four-town inter-municipal agreement officially kicks into effect at the turn of the fiscal year, Northfield EMS will be installing a temporary structure at its 41 Main St. space to accommodate staff.

For anyone who was lucky enough to work with or under the leadership of departing Greenfield Public Schools Superintendent Karin Patenaude, the loss of her from this district is incalculable. Her high standards, work ethic, love for students and deep experience from being a beloved English teacher and highly respected administrator endeared her to staff, students and families in the district. To watch her talk to a quiet teen, a curious fourth grader, a distressed parent or a questioning teacher and see her treat each with understanding, kindness, respect and always an encouraging smile, is to see the very best that public education has to offer. Seen as a "teacher's teacher" by the educators at Greenfield High School, the spontaneous standing ovation that she received by the 900 people in attendance after her words of encouragement for the graduating class on May 31 spoke volumes of how beloved she is as our leader. Karin Patenaude set a standard that will be hard to fill, she will missed and I am grateful to have worked for her.

By MADISON SCHOFIELD

NORTHFIELD — One cat perished in a house fire on Main Street Thursday night, according to Fire Chief Floyd “Skip” Dunnell III.

By MARGOT FLECK

Cruelty, unabashed and relentless, is part of our inescapable reality these days. We exist in a media-dominated environment and many of us have become addicted to witnessing the horror and chaos of humans bludgeoning each other with either weapons of war or words.

By ANTHONY CAMMALLERI

NORTHFIELD — Before the 36 Pioneer Valley Regional School Class of 2025 graduates were handed their diplomas, their class advisor Brian Campbell challenged them to “show up” for one another as they take the first step into their adult lives.

Thomas Aquinas College invited the president of The Heritage Foundation, Kevin Roberts, to speak at its 2025 commencement on May 24. Roberts is the “architect of Project 2025.” I believe that Roberts’ values, and the objectives of his Project 2025, are antithetical to those of the Catholic Church. I think the college is a good school with a challenging curriculum. The students that I’ve met have been polite, respectful, and inquisitive. I hope that Kevin Roberts’ invitation was an aberration, and not an indication of a shift in policy. I suspect that some students — and the pope — might agree.

By ANTHONY CAMMALLERI

NORTHFIELD – Around 80 protesters gathered outside Thomas Aquinas College Saturday in opposition to the school’s selection of Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts as its 2025 commencement speaker.

By JUDY WAGNER

“What a blue sky!” so says my husband as we pause in our garden prep work. “Looks pretty grey to me,” I counter, looking straight west under the brim of my garden cap and noting the piling, darkening clouds on the horizon. Then I tilt my head to look up: magnificent depthless blue sky! Yet again this garden place teaches: just a slight change of perspective can alter everything.

By CHRIS LARABEE

NORTHFIELD — At Northfield Golf Course Friday morning, the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce’s monthly lunch was all about how tourism and recreation can drive the local economy.

I am writing in response to the recent letter to the editor about Democrats and gang members [”Democrats and gang members,” April 24]. I agree with the writer that it is sad that no Democrats stood up to acknowledge the profound grief this woman is experiencing over the murder of her daughter. But I feel compelled to point out that the Republicans have time and again been uncaring towards victims of gun violence, in particular the mass shootings that have taken place in so many of our schools. I would also like to point out that it has not been proven that any of the men sent to the prison in El Salvador were gang members, indeed that there is no evidence that they are, regardless of what President Donald Trump and ICE officials have been saying. The fact that these men were denied due process means that no connection to gangs will ever be proven.

WARWICK — In what marks the third of five events to be presented in part by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, the Dan Thomas Trio will perform at Town Hall, 12 Athol Road, on Saturday, May 10, from 7 to 9:30 p.m.

By CHRIS LARABEE

With its regional agreement sent off to the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for a technical review, the Six Town Regionalization Planning Board is expecting to bring its new school district proposal to voters in the fall.

By ANTHONY CAMMALLERI

NORTHFIELD — Assistant Town Clerk Dan Campbell will soon take his seat on the Selectboard after winning the sole contested position in this year’s town election by 60 votes, besting his opponent Barbara Brassor.

By LIESEL NYGARD

NORTHFIELD — All but two of the 35 articles on the Annual Town Meeting warrant were approved by the roughly 150 voters who gathered at Pioneer Valley Regional School on Monday, with a tax on short-term rentals being defeated and a property acquisition article being postponed.

By MADISON SCHOFIELD

NORTHFIELD — Residents will have much to consider at this year’s Annual Town Meeting, with topics ranging from approving a total $12.2 million fiscal year 2026 budget to implementing a short-term rental tax.

By GUSTAVO ATENCIO FLORES

NORTHFIELD — Dan Campbell and Barbara Brassor are vying for a three-year seat on the Selectboard in what is the only contested race on the Tuesday, May 6, election ballot.

NORTHFIELD — Free used puzzles will be available at Dickinson Memorial Library on Saturday, May 3, from 10 to 11:30 a.m.

I am writing to express my strong support for Dan Campbell as the most qualified candidate to fill the vacant seat on the Northfield Selectboard. Dan has lived in Northfield for 35 years. He is conscientious and dedicated as evidenced by his long service to the town. As a member of the Finance Committee for over 20 years he possesses a deep understanding of our town and school budgets, our financial strengths and vulnerabilities and a keen awareness of the pressures and concerns of Northfield taxpayers. As town clerk for 10 years and assistant town clerk for two years, he knows the townspeople and has served as part of the excellent Town Hall employee team that our town administrator has built over the past several years.

Barbara Brassor is a win-win for Northfield. Growing up here, she attended Northfield schools, and spent decades serving in our community as town clerk, treasurer, tax collector and gave assistance with elections. Barbara is a loving grandmother, caring about the future of Northfield for our kids and grandkids. She is retired and ready to commit to the Selectboard with “common sense solutions.”