Residents should be aware that trucks will be on site this week for some pavement repair work to roads and driveways throughout the Association. Please note that these repair needs have been identified and scheduled by the contractor under a contract that has been priced and approved by the Board, so workers are unable to address additions while they are on site. Owners whose driveways are involved have been individually notified. If your driveway is being repaired and the repair extends across your driveway, please avoid driving over the new asphalt for a 24-hour period to allow it to harden. If for some reason you must drive over new asphalt, please don’t stop or park your vehicle on the new pavement. Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact the management office at 413-732-2158.
2023 Buttery Brook Fall Fest Rescheduled to 10/27-10/29
Due to inclement weather, the Buttery Brook Park Fall Fest has been moved (from 10/20 to 10/22/23) to Friday, October 27 to Sunday, October 29, 2023. Pickleball Tournament times will remain the same for all three days.
NEW DATES: Friday, October 27 to Sunday, October 29, 2023
Pickleball, Food, Beer Tent, and Music!
2023 Fall Fest Flyer-New Dates (pdf)
Hosted by Pickleball South Hadley and the Friends of Buttery Brook Park, Fall Fest will take place from Friday, October 27 through Sunday, October 29, 2023. On Friday, 10/27 the event kicks off with afternoon Men’s Pickleball Tournaments. On Saturday, 10/28, Women’s Pickleball Tournaments begin at 9am, and Mixed Divisions start at 3pm. On Sunday 10/29, the Beer Tent and Dev’s Mac ‘N Eats Food Truck will be open from 12-5pm and The Willies will perform on the basketball court from 1 to 5pm. Come in costume to celebrate ‘Pickleween!’ at 2pm. Prizes awarded for best costumes and pickleball challenges. Sunday Pickleball tournaments include Jumble Division at 9am and 12pm High School/College Division (some room is still available for the high school/college; sign up on TeamReach-code is 01075).
Bring a chair and come to the pickleball courts to support our competitors and enjoy the games!
For current details, visit South Hadley Pickleball on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083090534223
Odyssey Books Calendar
Our local independent bookstore, Odyssey Books, is located at 9 College Street in the Village Commons. The store can be accessed on the bottom floor from the rear parking lot, and there is a street level entrance to their main floor across from the Town Commons, at the end with the gazebo. Odyssey offers several book clubs each month, along with numerous author appearances. To view the calendar of events, visit: https://www.odysseybks.com/event.
South Hadley Grant Updates
Town Administrator Lisa Wong reports that the MA Department of Revenue is granting South Hadley $50,000 in additional funding for the Elmer Brook culvert replacement on Pearl Street. Funding will go towards construction documents, specifications, and Chapter 85 bridge review. The total award is now $197,500. In addition, the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) has reviewed the Town’s letter of intent for an Urban and Community Forestry Challenge grant and has invited South Hadley to submit a full application due November 1, 2023 to create a tree management plan that will supplement the current tree inventory in progress funded by Town Meeting.
KYT Presents: History and Finance of South Hadley’s Fire Districts
Local community organization Know Your Town (KYT) will host an in-person event on the History and Finance of the South Hadley Fire Districts at the South Hadley Library on November 28.
History and Finance of South Hadley’s Fire Districts
Tuesday, November 28, 2023 at 6:30 pm
South Hadley Public Library (Community Room)
2 Canal Street, South Hadley
South Hadley Associate Assessor Melissa Couture Rimbold and Kevin Taugher, Chair of the Board of Assessors, will provide an overview of why, when, and how South Hadley’s two Fire Districts, 1 and 2, were formed and how they are financed by property taxes and water rates. Kevin Taugher will give a history of their formation and Melissa Couture Rimbold will discuss how they are financed.
The event, which is free and open to the public, will not address or entertain questions regarding current operations, budgets, personnel, or boards. For more information about Know Your Town, visit www.knowyourtown.org.
Oct. 20-22: Buttery Brook Park Fall Fest
Buttery Brook Park Fall Fest | Friday, October 20 to Sunday, October 22, 2023
Pickleball, Cornhole, Food Trucks, Beer Tent, and Music!
2023 Fall Fest Flyer (pdf)
Hosted by Pickleball South Hadley and the Friends of Buttery Brook Park, Fall Fest begins on Friday, Oct. 20 with afternoon Men’s Pickleball Tournaments. On Saturday, Oct. 21, Women’s Pickleball Tournaments begin at 9am, and Mixed Divisions start at 3pm, while a Cornhole Tournament begins at 11am. Deejay KStylex will spin the hits from 10:30am until 3pm, followed by a free concert with Band Acousticca from 3pm to 6pm. Food trucks and a beer tent will be open during the afternoon, until 7pm. On Sunday Oct. 22, Fall Fest concludes with morning and early afternoon Pickleball Tournaments for Men and High School/College. See the event flyer for schedule and other details. Come to the pickleball courts to support our competitors and enjoy the games!
Black Stevens Guided Trek on September 23, 2023
Black Stevens Guided Trek
SATURDAY, September 23, 2023 at 10:00am
Meet at 9:45am in the parking lot at South Hadley High School (near Black Stevens Pond)
153 Newton Street (Rt. 116), South Hadley
Black Stevens Trail and Trek Map (PDF)
More information about the Black Stevens Conservation Area
Join South Hadley’s Bike/Walk Committee for a free, guided Trek at nearby 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 members Jim Buckley and Pat Tracey, which 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 9:45am in the South Hadley High School parking lot near Black Stevens Pond and the trailhead on Newton Street (see the Trail Map). Wear long-sleeved shirts/pants due to mosquitoes/ticks, weather-appropriate clothing and safe footwear, and bring water, bug spray, and walking poles, if desired. New Trekkers are always welcomed! Attendees should bring water, and are encouraged to have some bug spray. Please note that construction on Route 116 for a culvert project located between the high school and the District 1 fire station may still be in progress. While the road has remained open, it may be preferable to approach from south of the high school.
A decision to cancel for inclement weather will be made by 3:00pm on Friday, September 22. Should cancellation be necessary, information will be posted on the Town website, the Recreation Department site (southhadleyrecreation.org).
For more information about the Bike/Walk Committee, visit: www.southhadley.org/bikewalk
Fall Happenings at Shadowbrook
Shadowbrook Neighbors Group
LUNCH OUTING
Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023 at 12:00pm — Johnny’s Bar & Grille
Join us at Johnny’s Bar & Grill, a local favorite at South Hadley’s Village Commons. Their menu of soups, salads, sandwiches, and pizza can be viewed at: https://www.johnnysbarandgrille.com/menu. If you’d like to carpool, please let us know when you RSVP.
OTHER EVENTS
Shadowbrook Neighbors Fall Meet-Up
Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023 at 1:00pm at the ‘Green on the Hill’
Come and enjoy a casual get-together with neighbors, outdoors on the grassy area by the mailbox across from Unit 80. Bring your beverage and a chair, and an optional finger snack or dessert to share if you wish; we’ll have bottled water. Fall is a great time for an outdoor visit!
NEIGHBORS MEETING
Neighbors Group Monthly Meeting
Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023 at 7:00pm — Please RSVP for address
These casual gatherings at a neighbor’s home are a wonderful way to connect with neighbors from all across our community!
For more about the Shadowbrook Neighbors Group, see: shadowbrookestate.com/social
Showcase South Hadley, October 6-8, 2023
A multi-day celebration of local arts and culture featuring live music, dance, art exhibitions, presentations, and workshops is planned for October 6-8, 2023. The festival will take place across multiple venues over the course of the long Columbus/Indigenous Peoples Day weekend. In addition to the usual long weekend tag sales, you’ll find pop-up events all over town – in restaurants, schools, churches, concert halls, and other gathering spaces. Come explore South Hadley and discover something new! Watch for details to come at: southhadleyarts.org
Come to the Gaylord Wine Down on October 13!
Looking for a fun way to meet new people and connect with old friends? Come to the next Wine Down on Friday, October 13, 2023 from 5:30-7pm at the Gaylord Library, 47 College Street, South Hadley and mingle in the historic library rotunda. Unfortunately, the September event had to be canceled due to unseasonable heat that would have challenged our aging AC, but cooler weather is on the horizon! The event helps to support the Friends of the Gaylord Library, and everyone over the age of 21 is cordially invited; Entry fee is $10. We also plan to continue collecting school supply donations and donating raffle proceeds to Operation Backpack.