September at South Hadley Public Library

The South Hadley Public Library, Gaylord Memorial Library, and Boston Public Library have partnered to preserve and digitize over one hundred original records from South Hadley’s early years. Early South Hadley is a collection of original documents from 1743 to 1842, roughly spanning the Town of South Hadley’s first century. It includes legal documents such as land deeds, indenture contracts, and records of business transactions from farms and tradesmen. The collection also contains records that show the community’s early contributions to the revolutionary effort such as the muster records of South Hadley’s Minuteman regiments of 1755. Click here to view Early South Hadley.

SOUTH HADLEY MAIN LIBRARY PROGRAMS

Adult Programs-Main Library

We begin the month on Wednesday, September 2 at 6:00 with a special community-wide event Remembering 9/11 event featuring retired FDNY First Responder Joseph T. Bonanno (Please register), followed by our FixIt Clinic on September 12, you must register for this program to attend – where volunteers will help with minor repairs, visual mending, plants, and pests. On Wednesday, September 23 at 6:00, author Danielle Raad joins us virtually to discuss Above the Oxbow: Stories Entangled With A Mountain,  discussing the fascinating history of Mount Holyoke.

Get ready to make some noise on Saturday, September 26 at 11:00 with our West African Drumming Group, with drums provided and no experience necessary. We close out the month on Wednesday, September 30 at 6:00  with Robert Comeau for a presentation on the History of the Radium Girls & Book discussion. Visit shadleylib.org for more information and to register for programs.

Continuing programs:

  • South Hadley Chess Club on Saturday, September 5 at 3:30
  • Spanish Conversation Circle on Saturday, September 19 at 10:30
  • Tuesday Night Knitters each Tuesday at 6:00
  • Gatehouse Writers Group, online each Friday at 10:00

Online programs:

Childrens Programs-Main Library

Do you love unicorns? Come to our first-ever Unicorn Club on Saturday, September 5 at 10:30. We’ll read unicorn stories, make crafts, play Pin the Horn on the Unicorn, and do a scavenger hunt!

September is the start of our monthly fall Chess Club with Andy (Wednesdays at 4:00) and Music with Mr. Liam (Saturdays at 10:30). Sign-up is required for chess (9/16); no sign-up necessary for music (9/26).

Want to read to a dog? Duchess will be here Tuesday, September 8 at 4:00 and Saturday, September 26 at 12:00, and Angus will be here Wednesday, September 9 at 4:00. Call the library (413-538-5045) to reserve a spot! Pride Club meets Tuesday, September 8 and 22 at 4:00, and Graphic Novel Book Club discusses Detective Beans on Thursday, September 10 at 4:00. Japanese Storytime with Kanae is Thursday, September 3 at 4:00.

Continuing programs:

  • Playgroup with Miss Kelly on Mondays at 10:00
  • Lego & Games on Mondays and Wednesdays at 3:00
  • Pajama Storytime on Mondays at 6:30 (9/14 and 9/28)
  • Rhyme Time on Tuesdays at 10:30
  • Story Time on Wednesdays at 10:30
  • Baby Lapsit on Thursdays at 10:00

Teen Programs (11-19)-Main Library

YA Book Tasting will happen Tuesday, September 8 from 3:30-5:00. This month’s Crafternoon takes place Thursday, September 3 from 4:00-5:00. We will be decorating window clings. No sign up is needed. There will be no Night Craft this month. None of these programs require signing up unless you would like an email reminder.

Our monthly gaming sessions will be happening on Tuesday, September 1 & 15 for Xbox X. Wednesday, September 9 & Tuesday, September 29 for Switch. All gaming sessions start at 3:30 and run until 5:00. No sign up is needed.

Snackternoon will not be happening this month. We look forward to seeing you all in October.

Our monthly Teen Takeaways continue to be available. This month features DIY puzzles. Sign up once and get a new Teen Takeaway every month. We also have our latest Booktrovert pick: The Scammer by Tiffany Jackson. There are no in-person meet ups, just enjoy the book on your own time. Copies are available in the Teen Room for check out. Any questions please email Bethany.

GAYLORD LIBRARY PROGRAMS

Spice Club returns with our first meeting on Thursday, September 3 at 6:30. Sign up here to take home a sample of Southern New England Spice Company’s Pizza Patch Seasoning!

Drop in for a Stitch Together on Thursday, September 10 from 6:00-8:00. Bring your knitting, crochet, or other cozy hobby and make new friends.

Enjoy the good weather by dropping in to play some Cornhole on the back lawn on Thursday, September 17 from 4:00-7:30. All ages welcome!

Join Miss Janet for her first Teen/Adult Craft Night on Thursday, September 24 from 6:00-7:30. Come have fun and explore your creativity while you let your inner child explore! Ages 10+.

For kids we have our usual Story Times (Fridays at 10:30). Our special guest on September 11 will be Miss Mary from Berkshire Hills Academy for music and braille books. Drop-In Crafts meets Thursdays, September 3 & 17 from 3:00 to 6:00 and LEGO Club meets Thursdays, September 10 & 24 from 3:00 to 6:00.

Families can also join us on Saturday, September 5 at 10:15 to make art with Sidewalk Chalk.

KEY WEBSITES to STAY CONNECTED:

Sept 11-Gaylord Library Wine Down

September 11, 2026
Back-to-School Wine Down
Gaylord Library
47 College Street, South Hadley

School is back in session, and so are Wine Downs! These casual socials are a great way to meet people and get to know others in the community, while helping to support the Gaylord Library.

Join us for our Back-to-School Wine Down, to benefit Operation Backpack, which gives school supplies to local children in need.

Buy raffle tickets, bring a check, or drop off a donation of school supplies — all will benefit the program!

Friday, Sept 11, beginning at 5:30pm*
$12 (cash/credit), 21+ only

*As Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown on Friday the 11th – the drawing and guest remarks will conclude by 6:30. The event will continue until 7pm.

Art Squad Show at South Hadley Library

Two residents of Shadowbrook, Abby Jaffe and Lucia Foley, are showing their artwork in the Art Squad show at South Hadley Public Library through October 29.

From September 3 to October 29, 2026 artwork by South Hadley artists Liz Austin, Lucia Foley, Abby Jaffe, and Marion Pascone will be on display in the South Hadley Public Library’s Community Room. Dubbed the “Art Squad” soon after they began working together in 2016, the four women are celebrating ten years of finding joy, inspiration, and lasting friendship through being creative together.

Art Squad 4 x 10: 4 Artists, 10 Years
Liz Austin, Lucia Foley, Abby Jaffe, and Marion Pascone
Works in oil, acrylic, watercolor, and mixed media
September 3 to October 29, 2026
South Hadley Public Library, Community Room
RECEPTION: Friday, September 18 from 6:00 to 7:30pm

The show is open Mon-Sat during regular main library hours, unless the Community Meeting Room is in use for a program or meeting (to check the schedule, see: South Hadley Public Library Events).

Sept 12 Trek at Black Stevens Conservation Area

Guided Public Trek at Black Stevens Conservation Area

SOUTH HADLEY— On Saturday, September 12, 2026 at 9:00am the South Hadley Bike/Walk Committee will host a free, guided Trek at the Black Stevens Conservation area, which is a large wooded area that sits between South Hadley High School (on Newton Street/Rt 116) and Plains Elementary School (on Granby Road/Rt 202). It is a very popular place to walk in South Hadley. The Trek, which will be led by Bike/Walk Committee member Jim Buckley, will be approximately 1.75 miles long and take about an hour. There are some uphill portions to start the trek, which is a loop that begins at the Newton Street trailhead near the high school, travels to the area near Plains School and returns. The trail does have some elevation so the beginning will be uphill, while the return is mostly downhill. There are a number of raised roots along the way, so some care should be taken while walking.

Meet at 8:45am in the South Hadley High School parking lot near Black Stevens Pond and the trailhead on Newton Street. Weather-appropriate long-sleeved shirts/pants are best since the trek is in a wooded area. Wear safe footwear, and bring water, bug spray, and walking poles, if desired. Participants of all ages and new Trekkers are always welcomed!

Treks are subject to change or cancellation due to weather or ground conditions. Visit the Bike/Walk page on the Town website to view and download a trail map and for any cancellation notices or other information, see: www.southhadley.org/bikewalk. Should there be a cancellation decision, information will be posted online by 8:00pm the night before the hike.

Oct 15-Ballot Question Forum

October 15, 2026 (6:00pm, Thursday)
KYT Ballot Question Forum
South Hadley Council on Aging, Community Room
45 Dayton Street, South Hadley

Know Your Town (KYT) will sponsor a program on the 9 ballot questions that will be on the November 3, 2026 state election ballot. Organizers anticipate having speakers for the Yes and No sides of most questions. This is a free community event, open to members, friends, and the public.

The room is equipped for hybrid-online programs, and those interested in the program should be able to attend either in person or via Zoom. Save the date and watch for additional details to come!

The nine statewide questions that will appear in this order on the November ballot are:

  • Question 1: Expanding the Public Records Law
    Make records held by the state legislature and the governor’s office public records.
  • Question 2: Collective Bargaining for CPCS Employees
    Permit employees of the Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) to participate in collective bargaining practices.
  • Question 3: State Primary Elections
    Eliminate political party primaries for state elections and create a single primary where candidates are listed regardless of their political party.
  • Question 4: Election Day Registration
    Provide for same-day voter registration.
  • Question 5: State Revenue Limit & Rebate
    Change the limit of how much revenue the state can collect in a given year.
  • Question 6: Natural Resource Conservation Fund
    Create a fund for state money, titled the Nature for All Fund, that would be used to further efforts of nature conservation.
  • Question 7: Single Family Homes
    Require cities and towns to allow single-family homes on residentially zoned lots that meet minimum standards of at least 5,000 square feet in area.
  • Question 8: Prohibit Retail Sale of Adult Recreational Use Marijuana
    Repeal laws that permit the sale of recreational marijuana and the personal cultivation of cannabis in homes.
  • Question 9: Firearms Regulation
    Uphold the legislation, An Act Modernizing Firearm Laws (H. 4885), passed in 2024.

Know Your Town is a local, nonpartisan organization that seeks to keep residents informed about local affairs. For local information about upcoming elections, see: www.knowyourtown.org/election-info

South Hadley Public Library-June 2026 Events and News

It’s hard to believe that our 2026 Summer Library Program begins in only a few weeks! This year’s theme is Plant a Seed, Read and we’ll have programs all summer long related to nature and knowledge. Many of the early summer programs are listed below and for a full list you can check our online calendar.

There is also good news to share about our budget for the next fiscal year. An amendment to the town budget funded the library just above the minimum amount required for state certification. We will be able to maintain our status as a certified public library and continue to receive state funding and services such as inter-library loans.

Adult Programs at SH Public Library

Enjoy a variety of engaging Adult June programs celebrating gardening, local authors, nature, and creativity. On Wednesday, June 3 at 6:00, join Professor Anna Klimes for The Abundant Garden, a program on growing high-value organic produce to help stretch your grocery budget while creating delicious, homegrown meals. Learn how gardening can support a smart and frugal lifestyle while connecting with local growers and the library’s Seed Library. Then, on Wednesday, June 10 at 6:00, local author Corinne Demas will discuss her novel Daughters, a moving story about family, loss, and rebuilding a life on a New England farm. Professor Demas is the award-winning author of thirty-nine books and Professor Emerita of English at Mount Holyoke College. No registration is required for either lecture.

Nature lovers and puzzle enthusiasts will also find something to enjoy this month. On Wednesday, June 24 at 6:00, Jessica Benson Evans of The Pioneer Valley Mycological Association will present Local Edible Mushrooms and Poisonous Look-Alikes, an informative and fascinating talk exploring the difference between delicious edible mushrooms and dangerous toxic species found throughout Western Massachusetts. Then on Saturday, June 27 from 10:00–11:00, participate in the Library’s Jigsaw Puzzle Swap. Bring complete puzzles (300 pieces and up) to the Circulation Desk between June 8 and June 26 to receive swap tickets for the event. Participants may exchange puzzles based on the number they contribute. While visiting, don’t forget to pick up the Adult Summer Programming 2026 Calendar featuring this year’s theme: “Plant a Seed – Read!”

We’ve got some really good book groups meeting at the library. The Hello Sunshine Book Club meets on Wednesday, June 3 at 6:30 to talk about The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters. Our romance loving Between the Covers Book Club meets on Tuesday, June 10, from 3:00-4:00. Copies of Inheritance by Nora Roberts are available at the library.

Continuing adult programs include:

  • South Hadley Chess Club this Saturday, June 6 at 3:30
  • Spanish Conversation Circle on Saturday, June 20 at 10:30
  • Tuesday Night Knitters each Tuesday at 6:00
  • Gatehouse Writers Group, online each Friday at 10:00

Online Author Programs (click each program for more information)

Children’s Programs at SH Public Library

It’s SUMMER READING time!!! Sign up on or after June 18 and read (or listen to) any book you like for 20 minutes a day. Need recommendations? Ask a librarian or fill out our Book Bundle form! Kids who complete their reading logs will earn prizes and be entered into our raffle; all kids who sign up will get a free ice cream coupon to Cindy’s. Don’t miss our kickoff event, a performance by Chinese acrobat Li Liu, on Thursday, June 25 at 3:00.

We have a variety of storytimes this month, including Pajama Storytime on most Mondays at 6:30, Storytime on Wednesdays at 10:30, Japanese Storytime with Kanae on Tuesday, June 2 at 4:00, and Baby Lapsit Storytime (Fridays June 5 & 26, and Saturday June 13 at 10:00). Look for us at the South Hadley Farmers’ Market on Wednesday, June 3 at 4:00. Do YOU want to lead a storytime? Read to therapy dog Duchess on Tuesday, June 16 from 4:00-5:00.

June is also Pride month: celebrate with a book from our “Read the Rainbow” display, or come to the Pride Club showcase on Tuesday, June 9 from 5:00-6:30.

Teen Programs at SH Public Library

This month for Teens (ages 11 through 19) we have a lot of great offerings! YA Book Tasting which happens the first Monday of the month 3:30-5:00. This month’s Crafternoon takes place Thursday, June 11 from 4:00-5:00. We will be planting some mini herb gardens. Night Craft will be happening on Tuesday, June 30 from 6:30-7:30. We will be creating Oobleck. None of these programs require signing up unless you would like an email reminder.

Our monthly gaming sessions will be happening on Tuesday, June 2 & 16 for Xbox X and Tuesday, June 9 & 23 for Switch. All gaming sessions start at 3:30 and run until 5:00. No sign up is needed. Snackternoon will be on Thursday, June 25 from 4:00-5:00. Please sign up so we can have enough supplies for all teen participants.

Our monthly Teen Takeaways continue to be available. This month features Beaded Keychain Lizards. Sign up once and get a new Teen Takeaway every month. We also have our latest Booktrovert pick: The Great Cool Ranch Dorito in the Sky by Josh Galarza. There are no in-person meet ups, just enjoy the book on your own time. Copies are available in the Teen Room for check out.

Any questions, please email Bethany.

Gaylord Memorial Library Programs

Enjoy the good weather with us by dropping in to play some Cornhole on the back lawn, Thursdays, June 4 & 18 from 4:00-7:30. All ages welcome!

For kids we have our usual Story Times (Fridays at 10:30). Our special guest on Friday, June 5 will be Miss Mary from Berkshire Hills Music Academy to read braille books and sing. LEGO Club meets Thursdays, June 4 & 18 from 3:00 to 6:00 and we have Drop-In Crafts Thursday, June 11 & 25 from 3:00 to 6:00.

We have our first Summer Reading Program event on Friday, June 26 at 10:30. The Hitchcock Center is bringing their Breezy Seeds Engineering Challenge program where kids will learn how seeds travel and meet a special creature who helps spread seeds around!

KEY WEBSITES to STAY CONNECTED:

Guided Bird Walk on May 2

Guided Bird Walk at River-to-Range Trail with Bill DeLuca

SOUTH HADLEY— On Saturday, May 2, 2026 at 9:00am the South Hadley Bike/Walk Committee will host a free, guided Bird Walk at River-to-Range Trail led by ornithologist Bill DeLuca, a senior Migration Ecologist with the National Audubon Society. It is spring migration season and the Connecticut River is an important route for many species; while some birds are here to nest, others are just stopping by during their migration further north. The accessible River-to-Range Trail, located along the Connecticut River at the Bachelor Brook-Stony Brook Conservation Area, has a hard pack surface covering a relatively flat 1-mile loop with seating benches at regular intervals. No prior birding experience is needed. Participants of all ages and new Trekkers are welcomed. No dogs, please.

We will meet at 8:45am at the trailhead by the parking lot located at 240 Ferry Street in South Hadley, just down the road from Brunelle’s Marina. We’ll leave from the trailhead at 9:00am. Wear weather-appropriate clothing and safe footwear, and bring binoculars if you have them, along with water and walking poles, if desired. Please keep in mind that some areas of the trail could be wet, so hiking footwear may preferable to sneakers.

All events are subject to change or cancellation due to weather or ground conditions and any decision to cancel the Bird Walk will be made by 8:00pm on Friday, May 1, 2026. For more information or to check for a weather notification, visit the Town website at: www.southhadley.org/bikewalk.

May 8-Gaylord Library Wine Down

Please join the Friends of the Gaylord to Celebrate Grads at our May Wine Down!

Give cheers to the graduates, or just use it as an excuse to have a little champagne and meet some new people!

Enjoy wine tasting and some fun themed treats & raffle items…..

Thanks to our sponsors Susan Newton & Nate Therien!
 
Friday, May 8, 2026
5:30pm – 7pm | 21+ Only
$12 entry (cash/credit)
Gaylord Memorial Library
47 College St, South Hadley

(If anyone would like to assist, please email katie@brumer.org, so we can plan for volunteers.)

April 14–2026 Annual Town Election Information

Election Day Voting:

  • Polls for South Hadley’s Annual Election are open from 7:00am to 8:00pm on Election Day, Tuesday, April 14, 2026, for in-person voting. All precincts vote at South Hadley High School, 153 Newton St (Rt 116). Ballots for each precinct can be viewed at: www.southhadley.org/1088/Sample-Ballot. To check your registration and receipt of a mail-in ballot, see: www.VoteinMA.com
  • Separate elections for Fire/Water Districts 1 and 2 are also held at the High School. Ballots can be viewed at: District 1: www.shdistrict1.org | District 2: www.shdistrict2.org

Election Results:

  • After the polls close at 8:00pm, there are three separate tallies that the Board of Registrars (BoR) needs to review and combine for full and accurate results:
    1) Election day votes
    2) advance mail-in and early/absentee votes
    3) hand-counted votes
  • 1) Tally tapes from in-person voting on election day (similar to a cash register receipt) will be printed from each of the 5 precinct voting machines located at the high school. There are 5 machines because there are 5 precincts (A, B, C, D, and E). The tally tapes contain all of the elected positions, town meeting members for each precinct, and the ballot questions.
  • 2) Tally tapes with results for in-person absentee/early ballots and vote-by-mail ballots received by Sunday, April 12 are tallied separately for each precinct through a process known advanced processing. This means that there will be 5 additional tally tapes printed to document these results (one for each precinct). By law, these cannot be printed until the polls close.
  • In total, 10 printed tally tapes, (2 sets for each district as outlined above), will be posted on the wall in the hallway outside of the gymnasium. It is anticipated these will be posted by 9:00pm. These early results will need to be added together.
  • 3) In addition, there will likely be ballots that must be hand counted.
    This means that they were not processed by the voting machines (for example, a ballot with a write-in must be hand counted). These hand count results then need to be added to the tally tape results to provide a full count of all received ballots.
  • The BoR is prioritizing reporting out unofficial results of the ballot questions and then will move on to processing results for town-wide elected positions, followed by Town Meeting Members.
  • If election results appear close, the BoR will wait until the hand count is complete to release unofficial results. Otherwise, the BoR will seek to post unofficial results of the ballot questions from the totals of the two sets of printed tally tapes as soon as possible.
  • When available, unofficial results will be posted to the South Hadley Elections pages on the Town website (See: southhadley.org/Elections) and will be shared as a Community News item from the Town of South Hadley page and Facebook pages.
  • If you have questions or would like to learn more about the tallying process, please contact the Town Clerk’s Office

April 25-Guided Vernal Pool Hike with Brad Timm

Guided Vernal Pool Trek at Lithia Springs with Brad Timm on April 25th

SOUTH HADLEY— On Saturday, April 25, 2026 from 10am-12pm the South Hadley Bike/Walk Committee will host a guided Trek at Lithia Springs Reservoir, a beautiful natural area that once provided water to the town. The free, family-friendly Trek will be led by Brad Timm, a wildlife ecologist and founder of the Northeast Wildlife Team. Come explore with Brad on a leisurely guided hike as we stop at several vernal pools along the trek and look and listen for frogs, toads, salamanders, and much more. For example, did you know that some frogs produce their own anti-freeze, lots of salamanders can regenerate their tail and entire limbs, and that Blue Jay and Bluebird feathers aren’t actually blue (they’re brown!).

Participants of all ages and new Trekkers are welcomed. Please wear clothing and footwear suitable for hiking in wet and muddy areas. Some free copies of A Field Guide to the Animals of Vernal Pools are available for participants from South Hadley Conservation. Brad’s new book, America is Wild!, has recently been published and signed copies will be available for purchase ($20) at the event.

Meet up at 9:30am in the Hiker Parking Lot on Amherst Road (next door to 502 Amherst Road), to walk approximately a half a mile down Pearl Street to the end of Lithia Springs Road, where the Gate 8 Trailhead is located. We will wait at Gate 8 until 10am to meet any Trekkers who may have parked elsewhere. Please try to carpool as there is limited parking on Lithia Springs Road and in the Hiker Parking Lot on Amherst Road.

Treks are subject to change or cancellation due to weather or ground conditions. Please be sure to check the Bike/Walk page on the Town website for trail maps and any cancellation notices or other information: www.southhadley.org/bikewalk. Should there be a cancellation decision, information will be posted online by 8:00pm the night before the hike.