The Villages of the Shadowbrook Estate Condominums

The earliest navigable canal in the U.S. was located in South Hadley. Completed in 1795, the canal used an innovative ‘inclined plane‘ to raise boats over the 53-foot drop at Great Falls, which blocked boat transport north on the Connecticut River. This system was used until 1805 when locks began to be constructed, and the canal eventually closed in 1862 as rail transport grew.

The public is invited to participate in a free, guided Canal Area History Walk at 1:00pm on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. The hour-long History Walk will be led by historian Leo LaBonte and participants will meet at 12:45pm at the parking lot of the South Hadley Public Library, located at 2 Canal Street. Along the route participants will see where boats would leave the inclined plane traveling north, with multiple historic homes and locations of taverns, locks, and dams highlighted along the way. Depending on time, we may walk as far north as the Canal Park Overlook to see where boats continued upstream behind Cove Island, a round trip distance of approximately 1.5 miles. The History Walk is open to all, with no advance registration required. Please wear appropriate footwear and clothing, and bring water and walking poles if desired.

For Senior Center members participating in the History Walk, the Council on Aging is offering free, round-trip van transportation from the Senior Center to the Library; 12 seats are available and must be reserved in advance at the Senior Center. The van leaves at 12:45pm and returns at 2:15pm.

An accessible, narrated Van Tour of the Canal Area with historian Leo LaBonte from 11:00am to 12:00pm on May 8 is also planned:11 seats are available and advance registration at the Senior Center is required (413.538.5030, ext. 3). The Van Tour, which boards at 10:45am, will leave from and return to the South Hadley Senior Center at 45 Dayton Street.

The Canal Area History Walk and Van Tour are presented through a partnership among the South Hadley Bike/Walk Committee, the South Hadley Historical Commission, and the South Hadley Senior Center (COA).

South Hadley Bike/Walk programs are free of charge and 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 any cancellation notices or other information: www.southhadley.org/bikewalk. Should there be a cancellation decision, information will be posted online by 10:00am on the day of the hike.

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May is upon us,and it is gorgeous. That means it’s almost time for our May Wine Down!

Friday, May 10, 2024 | 5:30pm to 7:00pm
Gaylord Memorial Library, 47 College Street, South Hadley
$10 entry (31+ only)

Meet new people, mingle in the historic library rotunda, and enjoy the monthly theme, with wine, beverages, and light refreshments. Everyone over the age of 21 is cordially invited. The entry fee is $10 and Wine Down hours are 5:30 to 7:00pm.

The Gaylord Memorial Library is a beautiful, historic building in which a branch of the South Hadley Public Library offers a full range of services and programming for our community. The property itself, however, is still privately owned by the Friends of the Gaylord, which relies on fundraisers like the Wine Downs to support the maintenance of the building and grounds.

And, don’t forget to mark your calendar for the return of our Wine, Cheese, and Chocolate event on June 8, 2024!

The South Hadley Conservation Commission is hosting the fourth lecture of the Growing Wild initiative at 6:00pm on Wednesday, January 31, 2024 at 6:oopm at the South Hadley Library.

Have you ever seen a strange colorful bird singing in your back yard in the spring? Have you wondered where that bird came from or maybe where it might be headed? Did you wonder why you were so lucky to have it in your backyard? Bill DeLuca, PhD is a Senior Migration Ecologist with the National Audubon Society where he provides a migratory bird perspective to Audubon’s Conservation Science across the Western Hemisphere. 

In this presentation, DeLuca will tell the story, using examples of hundreds of tracked migratory birds, of how South Hadley birds travel across hemispheres and what you can do in your own yard to help them on their journeys. He will talk about the science behind growing your yard wild to benefit birds throughout the year. Regardless of how big or small your yard might be, there are things we can all do, from turning off our lights at night, to maintaining brush piles and keeping sources of water available. 

There will be plenty of time for questions and answers on these and other related topics. This event will be informative whether you are a beginner or expert birder, home gardener, property manager, urban landscape designer or just someone looking for something different to do on a Wednesday night in the middle of the New England winter.

The Conservation Commission will have all sorts of fun prizes to give away including bird houses, field guides and books about bird migration. No registration is required. 

For information about the South Hadley Growing Wild initiative, visit: https://www.southhadley.org/1345/Growing-Wild

Join neighbors and friends at the Gaylord Memorial Library for Wine Down gatherings on the second Friday of the month and support the Friends of the Gaylord Library. Meet new people, mingle in the historic library rotunda, and enjoy each month’s theme, wine, beverages, and light refreshments. Everyone over the age of 21 is cordially invited. The entry fee is $10 and Wine Down hours are 5:30 to 7:00pm. The Gaylord Library is located at 47 College Street (Rt. 116), South Hadley.

Mark your calendar and plan to come to the Winter-Spring 2024 Wine Downs!

• Friday, February 9, 2024 | 5:30-7:00pm 
  Valentine’s Day
• Friday, March 8, 2024 | 5:30-7:00pm 
  St. Patrick’s Day
• Friday, April 12, 2024 | 5:30-7:00pm 
  Spring is Here!
• Friday, May 10, 2024 | 5:30-7:00pm 
  Memorial Day

If you are interested in getting more involved with the Gaylord Memorial Library Association, please visit  https://gaylordlibrary.org/contact to leave your contact information. We will be in touch!

SOUTH HADLEY— On Sunday, February 4, 2024 at 1:00pm the South Hadley Bike/Walk Committee will host a free guided Trek at the Ledges Golf Club, 18 Mulligan Road, South Hadley, a property owned by the Town of South Hadley. Pat Tracey and Jim Buckley will lead the Trek. Come and enjoy the outdoors on a Sunday afternoon between football playoff games and the Superbowl! Winter is a great time to explore the course, using paths normally reserved for golfing carts. During the off season the paths may be enjoyed for exercise, photography, and high-level views of the area, including Mount Tom on the other side of the Connecticut River. The grounds offer an opportunity for safe, non-vehicular passive recreation, such as walking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. Visitors should avoid the tees and greens, being careful not to damage fairway areas.

Meet at 12:45pm in front of the Ledges Clubhouse. The Club’s parking lot is located on the right before the circle by the Clubhouse. Wear weather-appropriate clothing and hiking boots or other appropriate footwear, and bring water and walking poles, if desired. If there is snow on the ground, participants may wish to use cross-country skis or snowshoes. Please be aware that the club facilities, including restrooms, are closed for the season. Participants of all ages and new Trekkers are always welcomed! 

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 any cancellation notices or other information at: https://www.southhadley.org/bikewalk. Should there be a cancellation decision, information will be posted online by 10:00am on the day of the hike. A PDF map showing Ledges Trek routes is available at: Ledges Golf Course-Trek Routes Map.

For a last minute gift, the ‘Shelf Awareness‘ page of our local bookstore at Village Commons, Odyssey Bookshop, is worth a stop. In addition to information on a number of highlighted books, there’s a list of book club group meetings and author talks coming in January 2024:

01/08Crime Club January 
Monday, January 8 at 7 PM – Crime Club discussion
01/11Fred Sokol in Person 
Thursday, January 11 at 7 PM – local author Fred Sokol
01/20Jeff Mack Storytime in Person 
Saturday, January 20 at 11 AM – special storytime with Jeff Mack
01/22Open Fiction Book Group January 
Monday, January 22 at 6 PM the Open Fiction Book Group discussion
01/22Open Fiction Book Group January 
Monday, January 22 at 6 PM the Open Fiction Book Group discussion
01/23Dina Friedman in Person 
Tuesday, January 23 at 7 PM – local author Dina Friedman
01/24Kaveh Akbar in Person AT A SPECIAL TIME 
Wednesday, January 24 at 1PM – Kaveh Akbar presents his new novel
01/25Daniel Tobin in Person 
Thursday, January 25 at 7 PM – poet Daniel Tobin reads

Posted on December 11, 2023 by admin

Know Your Town (KYT) will host two events for the public to meet and learn more about candidates for local offices in the 2024 Annual Town Election on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, which will coincide with the Massachusetts Presidential Primary on that date. Our Town Election, which usually occurs in April, will take place a month earlier than usual, on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, to coincide with the state Presidential Primary. Mark your calendars and plan to come and get to know the people seeking to serve our community!

Local Candidates Meet + Sign Event
January 6, 2024 (10:00-11:30am, Saturday)
South Hadley Public Library Community Room
2 Canal Street, South Hadley
All South Hadley residents are invited to stop in and meet prospective candidates for Town Offices in the March 5, 2024 Town Election and be part of our local election process by signing some nomination papers. To be on the ballot, candidates must collect signatures from local registered voters, who are not obligated to vote for that candidate. Enjoy coffee/tea and nibbles, and learn more about those running for town-wide offices or to be precinct-based Town Meeting Members.

Annual Town Election Candidates Night
February 22, 2024 (6:00-8:00pm, Thursday)
South Hadley Public Library Community Room
2 Canal Street, South Hadley
Our annual Candidates Night forum provides a unique opportunity to hear from those seeking Town Offices, either for re-election or as new candidates. Candidates will introduce themselves and respond to moderator questions from audience submissions. The public is invited to attend in-person, or to view the program live at Channel 15 or online at their website. The event is also recorded and available for viewing later at: shctv15.com. Candidate information is requested by KYT and details provided are published at: www.knowyourtown.org/election-info/meet-the-candidates.

KYT is a local, nonpartisan organization that works to inform residents about local affairs. For information about participating in candidate events or to be added to the KYT email list, email Martha Terry at: mterry@knowyourtown.org.

The polls will be open on March 5, 2024 from 7am to 8pm for in-person voting on election day, and all precincts vote at South Hadley High School, 153 Newton Street. In-person early voting will be available between February 24 and March 1, 2024. Voting-by-Mail will also be available, and the last day to apply for a mail-in ballot is Tuesday, February 27, 2024 at 5pm. For details: www.southhadley.org/elections.

Saturday, February 24, 2024 is the last day to register to vote in the March 5, 2024 elections, and the Town Clerk’s office will be open that day from 9am to 5pm. Or, visit www.VoteInMA.com to check or update your registration, register to vote, or track your returned mail-in ballot.

On Saturday, December 9, 2023, volunteers from the South Hadley Bike/Walk Committee will be distributing free bike lights to South Hadley area cyclists as part of MassBike’s Lights Brigade program. Free sets of lights will be available near the Log Cabin at Buttery Brook Park from 5:30 to 7:00pm during Santa’s Land, or until the supply runs out. 

STAY SAFE!  STAY LEGAL! USE LIGHTS AT NIGHT! 
Having front and rear lights on your bike is crucial. Without working lights, you are practically invisible to vehicles. All bike riders in Massachusetts are legally required to have front white lights, red rear lights, and rear and side reflectors when riding anytime from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise. 

MassBike’s Lights Brigade program supplies volunteers with free bike lights to distribute to cyclists in their community. Many riders find themselves out at night without the required lights to help them stay visible to drivers and others on the roads and paths, while being in compliance with the law. The #LightsBrigade program by MassBike engages riders using community paths and roads and provides free bicycle lights. You can learn more at www.massbike.org/lightsbrigade.

MassBike is the statewide bicycling advocacy group for Massachusetts. A member-supported 501(c) non-profit, MassBike works to create a state that is safe and welcoming for all bicyclists whether experienced or just getting on a bike for the first time. Programs include promoting bicycle-friendly legislation; improving bicycle access and safety on roads and public transportation; educating bicyclists, motorists, police, and children about bicycling. MassBike’s vision encompasses bicycling as transportation, recreation, and a lot of fun. For more information visit www.massbike.org.

For more information about South Hadley Bike/Walk, visit us on the Town website at: www.southhadley.org/bikewalk. 

Should inclement weather force the cancellation of Santa’s Land, the Lights Brigade event will also be canceled. For weather notices, please see  www.facebook.com/butterybrookpark or www.facebook.com/southhadleyrecreation.

Thursday thru Sunday, from 5:30 to 7:00 pm
December 7-10 and December 14-17, 2023

The Friends of Buttery Brook Park and Park Staff welcome everyone to this 51st year of Santa’s Land. Come and visit in-person with 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. Optional pictures can be taken with Santa at a cost of $5, and families are also welcome to take their own photos. While your Santa photos are printed, enjoy a cup of hot chocolate (available at no charge on the log cabin porch) and take a walk to delight in all of the displays outside. You are welcome to take your own pictures with Santa if you choose. 

While there is no mask requirement, please feel free to wear them if you prefer. To reduce the number of people inside the log cabin at any one time, visitors are admitted in small groups from the line that forms outside by the playground. Free parking is available.

Please be sure to dress for time outdoors. Santa’s Land information and updates, including any weather cancellations, are posted on Facebook at, https://www.facebook.com/butterybrookpark or https://www.facebook.com/southhadleyrecreation

PARK LOCATION:
Buttery Brook Park, 123 Willimansett Street (Route 33), South Hadley, MA 01075
https://www.southhadley.org/1200/Buttery-Brook-Park