March 12-Information Session on SHELD Building Proposal

Know Your Town, a local organization that seeks to inform residents about town affairs, will sponsor an informational presentation and discussion on their proposed new operations building on the Big Y property for South Hadley Electric Light Department (SHELD). The event is free of charge and open to the public.

SHELD Building Info Session
Thursday, March 12, 2026 at 6:00pm
Community Room at South Hadley Public Library
2 Canal Street, South Hadley

Manager Sean Fitzgerald, and Board Members Paul Hine and Paul Dobosh will speak about the project. The presentation will be followed by an opportunity for audience members to come to the microphone and ask questions or to comment.

KYT programs are typically recorded by South Hadley’s shctv15.com and posted onlinefor later viewing.

March 19-Know Your Town Candidates Night

Plan to attend Know Your Town’s annual Candidates Night, an opportunity to hear from candidates for local townwide offices in the Town Election on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. In-person voting for the Annual Town Election, as well as elections Fire/Water Districts 1 and 2, will be held at South Hadley High School, 153 Newton Street (Rt. 116).

Candidate’s Night 2026
Thursday, March 19, 2026 at 6:00pm
Community Room at South Hadley Public Library
2 Canal Street, South Hadley

Townwide offices on the 2026 Town Election ballot include:

Selectboard–2 seats (3 year terms)
School Committee–2 seats (3 year terms)
Board of Health–2 seats (3 year terms)
Municipal Light Board/SHELD–1 seat (3 year term)
Board of Assessors–1 seat (3 year term)
Housing Authority–1 seat (3 year term)
Trustee Free Public Library–3 seats (3 year terms)
Planning Board–2 seats (3 year terms)

For candidate information, see:
www.knowyourtown.org/election-info/meet-the-candidates

In addition to Townwide offices, precinct-based Town Meeting members from each of South Hadley’s five precincts will be elected. There are eight 3-year seats per precinct, plus a 2-year seat in Precinct B, and 1-year seats in Precincts B and C.

To be on the ballot, Nominination papers need to be obtained at the Town Clerk’s office by Friday, February 20, 2026; with signed papers submitted at the Town Clerk’s office by 5pm on Tuesday, February 24, 2026. A minimum of 50 certified signatures from registered local voters is needed for Candidates for townwide offices; a minimum of 10 is needed for Town Meeting Member candidates. Candidates are always advised to get extra signatures in case some cannot be certified.

For information about voting, elections, and the Running for Local Office Guide, see www.southhadley.org/elections.

March 13-Gaylord Library March Melt Wine Down

Please join the Friends of the Gaylord for the MARCH MELT Wine Down!

Gaylord March Melt Wine Down
Friday, March 13, 2026
5:30 to 7:00pm | 21+ Only
$12 entry (cash/credit – please note new entry cost)
Gaylord Memorial Library
47 College Street, South Hadley

Our sponsor, Marie Rohan, and the P.E.O. sorority (Philanthropic Educational Organization) will celebrate women’s history month with special treats and news about RBG events coming up!

Library Director Joe Rodio will be on hand to discuss what the town budget crisis might mean for the Gaylord.

 

3/13-Gaylord March Melt Wine Down

Please join the Friends of the Gaylord for the MARCH MELT Wine Down!

Gaylord March Melt Wine Down
Friday, March 13, 2026
5:30 to 7:00pm | 21+ Only
$12 entry (cash/credit – please note new entry cost)
Gaylord Memorial Library
47 College Street, South Hadley

Our sponsor, Marie Rohan, and the P.E.O. sorority (Philanthropic Educational Organization) will celebrate women’s history month with special treats and news about RBG events coming up!

Library Director Joe Rodio will be on hand to discuss what the town budget crisis might mean for the Gaylord.

 

S Hadley Library-December Programs

Winter weather and a good book just seem to go together. As we move into December, we invite you to visit the South Hadley Public and Gaylord Memorial libraries to pick up a bestseller, discover a new author, or reconnect with a classic. You can find the most recent additions to the collection by clicking here. The page is updated weekly and you can even sign up for email alerts for new materials. In addition to the adult programs outlined below, visit our websites for more programs for teens, children, and families.

South Hadley Public Library-Adult Programs

  • Puzzle lovers can join us for a Jigsaw Puzzle Swap on Saturday, December 13 at 10:00 —drop off complete puzzles (no missing pieces) at the Front Desk from December 1–12 to receive swap tickets and pick up new-to-you puzzles the morning of the event.
  • Celebrate the season with Wassail! A Victorian Holiday on Wednesday, December 17 at 6:00. The Small Planet Dancers will feature songs, a parlor game, and a festive march through a lively Victorian-inspired holiday ball. This program is sponsored by the South Hadley Cultural Council; registration is required by clicking here.
  • Looking to join a book club? The library has a selection of books being talked about by groups at the library and senior center. Library groups include the Hello Sunshine Book Club meeting on Wednesday, December 3 at 6:30 to discuss The Book of Doors by Gareth Brown. We also have our Between the Covers Romance Book Club meeting on Tuesday, December 9 at 3:00 – 4:00 to talk about Mrs. Nash’s Ashes by Sarah Adler.

If you have ideas for programs, please share your ideas with Adult Services Librarian Desi Smelcer.

Gaylord Memorial Library-Adult Programs

  • Spice Club is sampling Southern New England Spice Co.’s Lemon Pepper Seasoning this month! Sign up here  and discuss your cooking and baking plans with other spice enthusiasts on Thursday, December 4 at 6:30.

  • Castle Nitor returns to Gaylord on Thursday, December 11 at 6:30 for Tablet Weaving. Learn one of the most unique weaving techniques from the past and take home a new treasure that you made on your own! Register here.

Online Author Programs (click each program for more information)

KEY WEBSITES to STAY CONNECTED:

Happy Holidays! Our schedule has some adjustments this month:

  • Wednesday, December 24, closing at 1:00
  • Thursday, December 25, both libraries closed
  • Friday, December 26, open normal hours at SHPL and GML
  • Wednesday, December 31, closing at 6:00

December 12: Gaylord Winter Warmer Wine Down

Ready to warm up with new and old library friends?
Then come to the Winter Warmer Wine Down!

GAYLORD DECEMBER WINE DOWN
Friday, December 12, 2025
5:30pm – 7:00pm | 21+ Only
$10 entry (cash/credit)
Hosted by Denise and Gary Hammon

Snow is on the way, and whether this weather makes you whine or “wahoo!,” warming up with friends is always welcome! We will have our usual wine tasting and light appetizers, but this month’s event also includes mulled wine, and a sharing table if folks want to bring a festive treat for everyone to enjoy.

OH AND ONE MORE THING...

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2 is GIVING TUESDAY!
Please consider supporting your historic community library with a one-time or recurring donation to the Gaylord Memorial Library Association, which cares for the Gaylord’s building and grounds: gaylordlibrary.org/donate/

Senior Center Library: Take One, Share One

Take a book, share a book!

To keep the COA library full of good choices for the community, the next time you visit the South Hadley Senior Center (at 45 Dayton Street), bring a book to share and check the library to see if there’s one you’d like to take home.

The Council on Aging (COA) library at the South Hadley Senior Center is offering a new, easy way to obtain new books, while taking those you’ve finished reading to a new home to be enjoyed by someone else. There’s no need to sign a book in or out, and you don’t need to return the same book you took out. The library operates on the honor system; everyone contributes to ensure there are always quality books on the shelves.

Thanks for sharing only one at a time, as space is limited!

To view the December Senior Center newsletter:
https://www.southhadley.org/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/2092

 

Buttery Brook Park Santa’s Land-Dec. 11-14 and 18-21

Annual Santa’s Land 2025

December 11-14 and December 18-21, 2025
Thursday-Sunday, 5:30-7:00pm
Buttery Brook Park
123 Willimansett Street (Rt. 33), South Hadley MA
www.southhadley.org/1200/Buttery-Brook-Park

The outdoor decorations are up and the Friends of Buttery Brook Park and Park Staff look forward to welcoming everyone to the 53nd year of Santa’s Land. Visitors are invited to come and visit Santa, Mrs. Claus and the elves. After visiting with Santa, children receive a cookie and coloring book from Mrs. Claus. There is no admission charge, but donations in support of the Park are always appreciated.

Parents are welcome to take their own family photographs with Santa, and everyone can enjoy a free cup of hot chocolate on the log cabin porch (across from the playground) and take a walk to delight in all of the displays outside. In season, Santa’s Land information and updates are posted at the Buttery Brook Park Friends Facebook page, www.facebook.com/butterybrookpark or www.facebook.com/southhadleyrecreation.

11/16-Bachelor/Stony Brook North Loop Trek

Bachelor Brook-Stony Brook North Loop Trek
SUNDAY, November 16, 2025 at 11:00am  
Meet at 10:45am at the small hiker parking lot at the trailhead on Rt. 47/Hadley Street just north of the Community Garden 
Bachelor Brook-Stony Brook Conservation Area-North Loop Trek Map (PDF)

South Hadley Bike/Walk Committee will lead a free, guided Trek on the on the North Loop of the Bachelor Brook-Stony Brook Conservation Area located off Hadley Street/Route 47 in South Hadley. Bike/Walk members Anne Barry and Riley Kranz will lead the Trek through the area’s beautiful, but underused, north section trail, which can be accessed from a trailhead on Hadley Street/Route 47. The beginning part of the hike is somewhat steep while the return section is more wide-open and either flat or downhill. The area is fairly wild and there are lots of interesting plants and many birds, as well as a view of river on the way in. The loop will take approximately 90 minutes to complete.

Parking for 12-15 cars is available in a small hiker lot on the left (just before the bridge over the brook) as you head north on Rt. 47/Hadley Street. If that lot is full, more parking is available in the larger Town Farm lot, about a quarter mile south of the small hiker lot. Please use caution when walking on Rt. 47 from parking areas as the road is a bit curvy. There is room to move off the road and walk on the adjacent grassy strip.

Meet at 10:45am at the small hiker lot (just north of the Community Garden, which is at 100 Hadley Street). We will leave at 11:00am from the trailhead, which is on Rt. 47 and marked by a brown wood sign with yellow letters. Wear weather-appropriate clothing and safe footwear, and bring water and walking poles, if desired. Please keep in mind that some areas of the trail can be wet and one section in particular can be quite muddy, so hiking footwear is preferable to sneakers. While no hunting is allowed in MA on Sundays, bright clothing is always a good idea.

All events are subject to change or cancellation due to weather or ground conditions and any decision to cancel will be made and posted by 9:00am the day of the Trek. For more information, to check for a weather notification at www.southhadley.org/bikewalk.