Diane Broncaccio
DailyHampGazette
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Past articles by Diane:
One of ‘The BoysWho Said No’: The activist life of Randy Kehler
Fifty years after antiwar activist Randy Kehler was jailed for refusing to serve during the Vietnam War, he has been featured in a new documentary called: “The Boys Who Said No.” The film, which includes interviews of Vietnam War-era draftees who went... → Read More
Over 30 exhibitors prep for Northampton Book and Book Arts Fair
Book a visit to Smith College on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, when the region’s used and antiquarian booksellers, fine letterpress printers, book binders, paper-makers and book artists will be displaying beautiful and unusual finds.The 32 exhibitors at the... → Read More
Making a strum-back: Ukulele sees rise in popularity in Pioneer Valley
In the 1950s, plastic toy ukuleles — decorated with insignia from the “Arthur Godfrey” and “Roy Rogers” TV shows — were favorite toys for children. But the ukulele’s popularity faded out along with those TV shows, and children dropped them in the... → Read More
Del Castilho to join Buckland Selectboard
BUCKLAND – A long-time Amherst town manager is the newest selectman in Buckland.Barry Del Castilho of Upper Street recently won a three-way election with 245 votes, while opponents Helen O’Gorman got 108 votes and Tuyet Linh “TL” Lafleur got 49.Del... → Read More
Around Franklin County, mixed feelings over Cosby’s sentence
“Wow,” said Jess Begans, when told of comedian Bill Cosby’s sentencing to 3 to 10 years in jail on sex assault charges Tuesday. She is director of counseling for the New England Learning Center for Women in Transition, which helps Franklin County... → Read More
Ashfield parks panel wants to ban motorboats on lake
ASHFIELD — Saying one motorboat oil spill into Ashfield Lake is too many, the town Parks Commission has submitted a petition to eliminate gas-powered motorboats from this popular swimming and fishing spot.Ashfield already restricts motorboats on the... → Read More
Trout Unlimited lands ‘Golden Trout Award’
After conducting a first-of-its-kind trout spawning study in Massachusetts, the Deerfield River Watershed chapter of Trout Unlimited received the highest honor possible from its parent organization: a Golden Trout Award.The Deerfield River TU Chapter... → Read More
Greenfield lawyer wants clergy abuse investigation
GREENFIELD — Greenfield lawyer John Stobierski, who has successfully litigated at least 80 cases of clergy sexual abuse, believes the Massachusetts attorney general’s office should investigate the Diocese of Springfield.“My impression is that our... → Read More
Mole Hollow site eyed for senior center
SHELBURNE FALLS — The former Mole Hollow Candle building is among the places now being considered for a larger senior center to accommodate the growing over-age-60 populations in Ashfield, Buckland and Shelburne.This week, Douglas Field, chairman of... → Read More
Former fabric shop wanted for Police Dept.
SHELBURNE — Will voters support buying the former “A Notion to Quilt” building as the new home for its cramped police department? The town will find out at a special town meeting on Sept. 12 at 7 p.m. in the Buckland-Shelburne Elementary School.The... → Read More
Farmers, DPW talk: How crops, trees are weathering the rain
This month’s unrelenting rain has swollen rivers and streams, flooded farm fields and kept pollinators from turning vegetable blossoms into fruit.Greenfield alone has received at least three times more rain this month than in August 2017, according to... → Read More
101st Heath Fair starts Friday
HEATH —The 101st Heath Fair starts Friday, with three days of food, animals and local entertainment.Those who come Friday night can have a Church Ladies’ ham and bean supper, watch the antique tractor parade and tractor pull, play bingo and join the... → Read More
Oops! RMV voters mix up Buckland with Shelburne
The old confusion over which town Shelburne Falls residents live in has emerged in a new form — through voter registration at the state Registry of Motor Vehicles.The night before Wednesday’s voter registration deadline for the state primary,... → Read More
40th Bridge of Flowers race has plenty of contenders
SHELBURNE FALLS — This year’s 40th anniversary Bridge of Flowers Road Race Saturday may have more women runners — and more contestants than preceding races, according to founder Michael McCusker.The 3K and 8K races take place this morning, beginning... → Read More
Small Town Summits to tackle rural woes
SHELBURNE FALLS — In the two years since the first Small Town Summits were held in Charlemont, the state has created a Small Bridge Program to help cash-strapped rural towns pay for needed bridge repairs, broadband infrastructure build-out has begun... → Read More
Buckland board asked to delay marijuana regs
BUCKLAND — At least two dozen residents came to this week’s Selectboard meeting, asking the board to hold off on drafting a marijuana application policy until a third selectboard member is elected in September.“This is such a big issue for the town,”... → Read More
Colrain’s new highway garage up and running
COLRAIN — When Tropical Storm Irene hit in 2011, the town’s old highway garage — built from what was the former town office — took in about four feet of floodwater, ruining the boiler and other equipment in the front office and basement.But the new $2... → Read More
Shelburne awards gold cane to 100-year-old citizen
SHELBURNE — William H. Umstatter of Mechanic Street turned 100 on Feb. 20, but his long years of life were celebrated Monday evening, when two selectmen and one gold-headed cane paid him a visit.Selectmen Matthew Marchese and Chairman Robert Manners... → Read More
Ashfield dam, Glacial Pothole money in Senate bill
If the state enacts the environmental bond bill unanimously approved this week in the Senate, there will be state money to help pay for repairs and reconstruction of the Ashfield Lake Dam, along with money to improve the observation area in front of... → Read More
Ashfield historic organ departs for restoration in Northampton
ASHFIELD — The sanctuary of the First Congregational Church may look a little barren without its 1903 George W. Reed tracker organ. But when the organ returns in 18 months, it will sound all the richer with new key coverings, supple leather valves,... → Read More